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Paul Munyuki Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Rugby Union is expected to hold a crisis meeting this morning following revelations that director of rugby Liam Middleton has remained defiant that he is coach of the Cheetahs. On Monday, the ZRU are understood to have written a letter to Middleton advising him not to interfere in coach Gilbert “Gidza” Nyamutsamba’s business after he declared himself coach of the Cheetahs during a pre-tournament media conference last week.

But Middleton wrote back to the union advising them of his position prompting the ZRU to call for a meeting that is expected to, at least, put the matter the to rest and clear the air on who will take the Cheetahs to Hong Kong next week.

The Zimbabwe Sevens rugby squad was named yesterday following the Zimbabwe international Sevens tournament at Harare Sports Club at the weekend but Nyamutsamba was not consulted on selection despite being on the selection panel.

And this morning ZRU president John Falkenberg, Middleton, Nyamutsamba and the Cheetahs chairman are expected to meet and clear the air ahead of the Hong Kong leg of the World Series.

Yesterday the ZRU, through their media consultant David Crouch, named a 17-man squad that is expected to do battle in Hong Kong.
The squad includes eight of the players that won the same tournament in Hong Kong last year.

The Hong Kong leg of the World Series is now being used as the qualifier for core status.
Fortunate Chipendu, Jacques Leitao (captain) Kelvin Magunje, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, Gardner Nechironga, Tangai Nemadire and Njabulo Ndlovu were part of the side that won last year’s leg under Nyamutsamba and have been named in the training squad.

Those who are out include Daniel Hondo, who quit playing last year and is now part of the Cheetahs technical team, Lucky Sithole, Garth Zieglar and diminutive Tapiwa Tsomondo.

Named in the extended squad is former Zimbabwe Under-20 duo of flanker Farai Jijita and eighthman Biselele Tshamala, Boyd Rouse, Stephan Hunduza Riaan O’Neill, Sebastain Rouche and Benjamin Nicholls, who struggled in last weekend’s tournament.

Full camp is expected next week before the side is trimmed to the final 12 who will travel to Hong Kong for the core membership qualifiers.
In the meantime, they continue with their conditioning and gym programmes under Grant Mitchell.

Cheetahs Squad:
Fortune Chipendu, Jacques Leitao, Farai Jijita, Boyd Rouse, Benjamin Nichols, Njabulo Ndlovu, Biselele Tshamala, Stephan Hunduza, Kilvan Magunje, Lenience Tambwera, Hilton Mudairiki, Tangai Nemadire, Gardner Nechironga, Riaan O’’Neill, Sebastian Roche, Brandon Boshi, Morgan Vangue, Teddy Hwata, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo.