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Paul Munyuki Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe rugby fraternity has expressed sorrow over the death of former Sables captain Reginald Nield who passed on in the United States of America last week.

Nield had been undergoing treatment in the US. According to his daughter Jeannine Nield-Pearson, Nield is expected to be flown to Zimbabwe for burial later this week following a funeral procession in USA.

Yesterday the rugby fraternity paid tribute to Niled for his contribution to the game. Former Sables coach Godwin “Jaws” Murambiwa emotionally spoke about the life of Nield whom he described as a legend and said led an exemplary life both on and off the pitch, taking care of all players equally during his coaching days at Old Hararians Sports Club.

“To us he is a legend . . . a larger than life human being cut from a different mould completely, he is a big loss to us the rugby community as a friend, advisor and mentor that’s a very huge loss.

The kind gentleman even in death I still see that smile . . . that poise and (at Old Hararians) he knew all of us by name . . . our wives and our kids so a very special man indeed,” said Murambiwa.

Though Nield played for the Sables during the Rhodesia era between 1966 and 1971, he still had interest in the game’s development as he coached the Old Boys in the late 1980’s and passed on the legacy to his grandsons who include Preston Bryant who played for the Young Sables a few years ago before he was snatched by the South African Blitsbokke.

“He was a wonderful human being who taught us to do our best, and to always be hard on the rugby field because there was a beer to share after the game (although he himself never drank alcohol) “He coached me back in 1988-89 at Old Hararians, he represented and captained Rhodesia in the 1960s, went to Prince Edward School and played Tigers.

He believed PE boys were special and would always be royalty even in the after life . . . he was a selfless dedicated family man who always reminded us our wives were queens. “He literally got some of us playing for Marondera in the ‘90s because the club was dying.

He organised jobs for rugby players who included the likes of Ezra “Ziggy” Zigarwe (former Zimbabwe Rugby Union development manager)

“He encouraged the wild ones like Godfrey Zuze to go to church I mean he looked out for a lot of us and whatever you see through me that was the man who made me and very humbled to have known and learnt so much from him,” said Murambiwa.

Preston was not the only one who inherited the rugby playing legacy from his grandfather as there are a number of others who went on to represent Zimbabwe, largely at the junior level.

Neild was also father-in-law to former Sables forward, captain and coach Alex Nicholls whose sons Ben also went on to represent Zimbabwe Under-18 at the Craven Week and Junior World Championships in 2004 and Daniel who featured for the country at the Craven Week and Junior World Championship in 2006 and 2007 and Joseph who also played at the Craven Week festival five years ago.

There is also the duo of Reginald Bryant who played for the Zimbabwe Under-18 Craven Week side in 2007, Preston Bryant who was captain of the 2012 Craven Week side before he represented Zimbabwe in the Junior Africa Cup the same year.

The Bryants are sons to former Under-20 team manager and Nield’s daughter Jeannine Nield-Pearson who said her father’s remains are expected to be flown back to Harare by the end of this week for burial following a funeral procession in USA.

Preston — who has since opted to play for USA having been enrolled in their Sevens academy believes he would not have achieved all these steps in his playing life were it not for his grandfather who stood by him and mentored him in being a tough rugby player.

In a tribute to his grandfather, Bryant emotionally wrote on his Facebook page about the great moments he shared with his “oupa”.

“My Oupa, thank you for teaching me how to fly, both on and off the rugby field.

I find it to be no coincidence that you passed away while I was on the rugby field — doing what you have always loved watching me do.

“I’ll never forget the many times you’d meet me at 6am before my games with the ludicrously hard tackle bag, persistently pushing me to tackle harder and lower.

And after the game, hugging me with that contagiously joyous smile of yours, shouting out with glee, “Hey Madoda!”, tucking me in your embracing hug, telling me how proud you are of me. “You implanted the seed of belief within me to be where I am, and to live the dream you always believed I was already a part of. More importantly, however, you set an example for me to love everyone.

“There was not one instance that I ever heard you talk bad of someone. You always went out of your way to help those struggling- spreading your generosity, charity and love to everyone you came into contact with.

“I will continue to fly with you, In the tackle.

With the truth of love and for the benefit of all beings,” wrote Bryant. In a statement, the Zimbabwe Rugby Union also passed their condolence message to the Nield family.

“The Zimbabwe Rugby Union extends its deepest sympathy to the family, extended family and friends of Reg Nield. Our condolences to his wife Iris, his daughters and his many grandchildren.

“Reg’s integrity, passion and love of the game meant that he touched the lives of many men, women and young men he coached or mentored. His legacy lives on in those who were blessed and honoured to know him. May he rest In Peace,” the Union said.