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Augustine Hwata Sports Reporter
FORMER Zimbabwe Rugby Union executive committee member Gerald Maguranyanga has thrown his weight behind the appointment of Brighton Chivandire as the director of rugby.
Chivandire was appointed the new director of rugby this week and takes over from Liam Middleton.
Maguranyanga, who had a stint at Kent Rugby in England, feels it was high time a locally-bred coach took charge.

“Anybody who has been involved in rugby will tell you that Chivandire is one of the most passionate people around when it comes to the game,” said Maguranyanga.

“He is an ex-national team player and one of the most qualified coaches we have in Zimbabwe. His results speak for themselves because he took the teams to the Junior World Championships.

“The challenge will come over his selection base for players to the national team. At the moment the National Rugby League has failed to complete the matches because it’s operating in fits and starts.

“Most of the players for the senior national team should be coming from the NRL.” The NRL league will not have a winner this season after teams indicated they were not in a position to travel for the semi-finals this weekend.

At the moment, the ZRU does not have a substantive national team coach and Maguranyanga said it was important that this post was filled.