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NO WAY THROUGH . . . The Young Sables battle to slice through the Samoan defensive shield during the opening game at Harare Sports Club yesterday

Zimbabwe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (6) 24

Samoa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (28) 54

ZIMBABWE’S campaign in the World Rugby Under-20 Trophy got off to a bad start yesterday with the hosts suffering a disappointing 24-54 defeat at the hands of Samoa at Harare Sports Club.

Samoa managed eight tries past a porous Zimbabwe defence.

Elia Elia and Joseph Fuimaono both had a brace of tries, while the hosts crossed the whitewash three times. The Young Sables went into the break trailing 8-26 following a Jeff Majoni try at the stroke of half-time with full-back Shingi Katsvere making good use of his boot to reduce the margin. However, whatever coach Brandon Brider might have told his players during the break seemed to work as they were quick off the blocks with a fourth minute try after the restart through Kudzai Mungangi.

Off a move that was initiated by winger Tatenda Matoramusha having kicked and chased, he offloaded to Munangi who had the easier task of touching down in the Samoa in-goal.

Katsvere’s boot added the extra two points. Samoa were, however, quick to reply as three minutes later Jonah Refiti added another converted try for his side 14 minutes before Augustine Mafoe’s try was not converted.

Brider then made his first substitution, captain Connor Pritchard making way for Daniel Nyamugama who also had his name on the score sheet with a converted try to leave the score on 48-24. But Samoa had laid their ground work in the first half with flanker Joseph Fuimaono, scoring two tries in the first period, scrummy Morrison Siliko adding one while number eight Elia scored off the base of the scrum.

The Pacific Ocean islanders were not good with their boot as flyhalf D’Angelo Leuila only managed to convert one of the four chances he got.

Zimbabwe showed moments and flashes of brilliance during the opening period but a lot of basic mistakes cost the side with dropped balls, knock-ons and poor passes constituting their play.

In Group B games played earlier in the0 day Namibia pulled off the biggest shock of the day with a 46-44 win over the United States, Spain beat Hong Kong 44-8.

The eight countries also have to contend with a series of rule changes, including a new scrum engagement process and point-scoring system.

Tries will be increased in value to six, penalties will be reduced to two points and penalty tries will be worth eight points, with no conversion necessary.

Teams

Zimbabwe: 1-15 Jeff Makoni (Roderick Mubaiwa 33’’), Tinotenda Musasanura, Justin Mendelsohn, Martin Shioma, Kudakwashe Ndoro, Tapiwa Mangwana, Connor Pritchard (captain Daniel Nyamugama 61’’), Aiden Burnett, Enerst Mudzengerere (Gamanya 67’’), Tadiwa Gochera, Tatenda Matoramusha, Angus Bruce, Kudzaishe Munangi, Sam Phiri, Shingi Katsvere.

Samoa: 1-15: Jarred Adams, TP Luteru, Avea Momoisea, Mikaele Tapili, Darren Tiumalu, Joseph Fuimaono, Uini Fetalagia, Elia Elia, Morrison Siliko, D’’Angelo Leuila, Pao Lauama, Jonah Refiti, Augustine Mafoe, Faletui Samuelu, Salesi Rayasi.