Paul Munyuki Sports Reporter
SABLES coach Brendan Dawson believes there is nothing special about “sluggish” Russia, who they play next weekend in the first round of the Rugby World Cup play-off qualifier set for the Siberian town of Krasnoyarsk. Dawson feels the Sables need to stick to their traditional way of playing – utilising the backline more and spreading the ball out wide – if they are to go through to the final round of the qualifying play-offs.

That the Russians have bigger frames doesn’t scare the former Sables captain who, in fact, thinks that could be an advantage for his more mobile squad.

“We have managed to get footage of their last four games, I have had a look at them and Liam (Middleton, director of rugby) has also had a look at some of them and, really, they are very slow, sluggish and big as well.

“We have to play our usual running game because that way we will be able to get round them and I believe that even our forwards will play good enough rugby to meet them up because they are also faster than the Russians,” said Dawson.

Zimbabwe recently took part in the Africa Cup, finishing second to Namibia after registering wins against Madagascar, Kenya and conceding a narrow defeat to Namibia early this month.

“I think it is to our advantage that we recently got some game time when we played in the World Cup qualifiers in Madagascar and we also gather that Russia have not had a game since May, so we have to utilise these chances.

“We are fitter than them, we have had more game time of late and they have not been active for almost three months now.
“With their play in the mould of Namibia, we have to keep the ball alive and play pretty much like we did against Kenya and Namibia,” said Dawson.
Dawson was part of the Sables Class of ’91 – the last Zimbabwe XVs side to take part in the World Cup – and if he leads Zimbabwe to the Promised Land, then he could write a special place for himself in the history of the game in this country.

The Government on Tuesday, through Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Andrew Langa, promised to financially help the Sables if they clear the Russia hurdle.

“Obviously, we want to go to the World Cup and that is the biggest motivational factor on the players right now because that is the biggest stage one can ever play at and that is why there is a good vibe in camp.

“Making it for the World Cup is motivation on its own, so that is the real motivation.
“Of course, everybody likes a bit of money but at the end it’s about playing at the biggest rugby tournament,” said Dawson.

The Sables have not been able to get into camp prior to the Russian trip due to financial challenges but are expected to depart for Siberia on Saturday where they are scheduled to hold a five-day training camp.

Sables squad for Russia
Forwards: Pieter Joubert, Keith Murray, Kevin Nqindi, Jan Ferreira, Graeme Lawler, Jacques Leitao, Lambert Groenewald, Lawrence Cleminson, Sanele Sibanda, Matthew Mandioma, Farai Mudariki, Fortune Chipendu, Kingsley Lang, Takunda Chifokoyo.

Backs: Daniel Hondo (captain), Hilton Mudariki, Guy Cronje, Stephan Hunduza, Riaan O’Neill, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, Peter Du Toit, Lenience Tambwera, Shayne Makombe, Danny Robertson.

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