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THE Young Sables’ 40-44 defeat to Hong Kong yesterday saw the Zimbabwe Under-20 registering their worst defensive record in the World Rugby Under-20 Trophy as they conceded almost 200 points in four games. Team manager Shaun de Souza feels that the biggest let-down was that Zimbabwe lacked strength and conditioning in all the games they played.

“The major downfall for our side was (lack of) conditioning, we are still a few steps behind, so we need to work hard if we are to make it through the qualifiers later in the year,” said the Prince Edward coach.

Zimbabwe’s worst defensive record in this tournament was in Georgia in 2011 when they conceded a total of 166 points but Brandon Brider’s side failed at home by conceding 190 points in this year’s competition.

Given that this year’s competition was using a different points system, where a try went for six points, a penalty — that is usually three points — was devalued to equal a conversion with two points but very little or no penalty kicks at posts were taken.

However, Zimbabwe never conceded anything less than 42 points while Samoa managed 54 points past the hosts, with Uruguay bagging 50 against the Young Sables while Hong Kong collected 44 points from Zimbabwe.

Twice, Zimbabwe threw away the lead to suffer defeats and finish as the bottom-placed in the eight-team competition.

Poor discipline, a host of schoolboy blunders, and a questionable defence cost Zimbabwe.

Hooker Lebogang Ngwenya and eigth man Daniel Nyamugama were both shown yellow cards yesterday.

A total of 12 tries were scored in the game, 10 of which came in the first half, Hong Kong placing in Zimbabwe’s goal six times — the same number of tries Zimbabwe scored — but the Asians’ advantage came through the boot as they converted two tries more.

With just three minutes on the clock, Zimbabwe had taken the lead through hooker Ngwenya’s touchdown but three minutes later Hong Kong equalised through centre James Karton as both sides missed conversions.

“We selected a lot of players into this team with the view of the (junior) Africa Cup and hoping that they would be able to play at next year’s competition,” said de Souza.

Meanwhile, after just a year in the second tier Under-20 Trophy, unbeaten Samoa were promoted back to the more prestigious World Championship when they edged out spirited débutantes Spain in a game that had to be decided in extra.

Tied 32-32 at the end of regulation time, all Samoa needed was a try and that separated the two teams at the end of the day but Spain — who are only taking part in the competition for the first time — will not be largely disappointed given their performance. — sportszone.co.zw