The eight-team tournament, whose winner will be promoted to the IRB Junior World Championship, runs from June 18-30.
Zimbabwe, who are in Pool B together with two-time runners-up Japan, Canada and Georgia, finished last in the same edition of the tournament last year after narrowly losing 30-29 to the US in the seventh place play-off.
Last year, Zimbabwe narrowly lost 37-24 to Japan before suffering a 50-19 drubbing at the hands of Georgia. They also lost 49-23 in their last pool game against Canada.
Ironically, Zimbabwe is in a pool with the very same opponents from last year’s edition, while pool A comprises Chile, Russia, Tonga and the hosts USA.Zimbabwe coach Brighton Chivandire however, said they had worked on their weakness and hoped for a better performance this year.
Chivandire said this time around his side had done all the necessary home work and hoped to perform better.
“We are in a very tough group. The Japanese have been runners up in 2010 and 2011. I think it will change this time because we have worked on our past mistakes,” he said.
“Last year we struggled with the scrum, but I think we have done our homework, we will also play two warm-up matches in France against a French Top 14 outfit, Castres Olympique, and its academy side from June 6-9,” he said.
Chivandire will be banking on the availability of the experience of Ian Muza, Dalroy Sibanda, scrum half Dylan Coetzee, lock Graham Logan, fullback Victor Mushoriwa, flyhalf Sean Linfield and winger Justin Coles, who featured in last year’s tournament.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
The Young Sables have also been receiving the help of former Wallabies full back David Campese in their training sessions over the past week.
Under-20 squadT. Fagan, K. Makuvire, I. Muza, T. Ndaba, D. Sibanda, A. Van Heerden, S. Chirara, M. Lawson, G. Logan, J. Smallbones, T. Chigumbura, T. Chowe, T. Tsomondo, D. Coetzee, M. McIntosh, R. Sargeant, J. Forrester, S. Linfield, T. Chieza, R. Morkel, M. Muhambi, J. Broomberg, J. Coles, B. Ndudzo and V. Mushoriwa.Head Coach: Bright Chivandire Assistant Coaches: Godwin Murambiwa and Gary Hewitt Team Manager: Colleen De Jong Physiotherapist: Margie Gibson Team Doctor: Austin Jeans
