HONG KONG v ZIMBABWE: Emirates Cup of Nations

08.12.2012

Referee:

This is the second rugby test match in this quadrangular tournament.

Hong Kong has not played together since May whereas Zimbabwe played in the IRB Tri-Nations in Windhoek last month.

Zimbabwe has not included a number of top players involved in the 7’s squad. ‘The squad consists of three overseas-based players in the UK-based trio of flanker Shingi Mpofu, uncapped prop Nic Winwood and centre Tommy Nelson. The three will fly directly to the UAE from their bases.
The other uncapped players in the forwards pack are Durban-based lock Sanele Sibanda, Old Georgians front row Simba Musarutwa and Johannesburg-based Keith Murray.
In the backline, University of KwaZulu Natal centre Ricky Chirengende leads the list of uncapped players, which also has the OGs trio of Graham Kaulback, Jonathan Miller and Johnno McWade.
The Sables backline has been severely handicapped by the absence of Daniel Hondo, Gardner Nechironga, Tangai Nemadire and Wes Mbanje, who are traveling to Port Elizabeth with Sevens. Regular fullback Danny Robertson has gone to Australia on holiday after failing to recover from an ankle injury.’
http://www.dailynews.co.zw/article/Sport/604708f1-71b0-4e4a-8b28-c059a8bc4bba

These two teams have never played each other before.

Hong Kong Last Five P 5, 3, L 2
26.05.2012 v Kazakhstan W 55-0 in Hong Hong (Asia5 Nations)
19.05.2012 v Japan L 0-67 in Tokyo (Asia5 Nations)
05.05.2012 v Korea L 19-21 in Hong Kong (Asia5Nations)
27.04.2012 v United Arab Emirates W 85-10 in Dubai (Asia5Nations)
16.12.2011 v Brazil W 37-3 in Dubai (Cup of Nations)

Zimbabwe Last Five
14.11.2012 v Spain L 14-47 in Windhoek (IRB Tri-Nations)
10.11.2012 v Namibia L 34-37 in Windhoek (IRB Tri-Nations)
14.07.2012 v Uganda W 22-18 in Jammal (CAR Division 1A, Final)
10.07.2012 v Tunisia W 30-14 in Jammal (CAR Division 1A)
23.07.2011 v Kenya W 26-21 in Nairobi (Victoria Cup)

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table: Hong Kong 24th, Zimbabwe 32nd

IRB Ranking Points
Hong Kong 54.09, Zimbabwe 54.03

Prediction: Hong Kong by 13 points

TEAMS

Hong Kong Squad

Alex Baddeley, Alex Harris, Alex Ng, Charles French, Dan Watson, Ian Ridgway, Jack Bennett, Pale Tauti, Steve Nolan, Tom Bolland, Nick Hewson, Guy Payn, Matt Lamming, Matt Stockdale, Terence Montgomery. Backs: Mike Glancy, Yiu Kam Shing, Tom McQueen, Tom McColl, Sebastien Alfonsi, Hone Patrick, Charles Cheung, Chris McAdam, Craig Wilson, Jonny Rees, Kenneth Hsieh, Kirk Munro, Stewart Megaw.

http://www.hkrugby.com/eng/news/2663.php

 

 

Zimbabwe Squad

Forwards: Costa Dinha (captain), Pieter Joubert, Nic Winwood, Keith Murray, Simba Musarurwa, Tatenda Karuru, Brian Makamure, Jan Ferreira, Sanile Sibanda, Biselele Tshamala, Shingi Mpofu, Lucky Sithole, Takunda Chifokoyo, Samson Makuku.

 

Backs: Ricky Chirengende, Graham Kaulback, Scotty Jones, Phil Machisa, Lenience Tambwera, Tichafara Makwanya, Tommy Nelson, Jonathan Miller, Jafet Ndebele, Gavin Nyawata, Kuda Chiwanza, Shayne Makombe, Steven Hunduza, Josh Rowe, Johnno MacWade.
Head Coach: Losson Mtongwiza