BY DANIEL NHAKANISO
A PROFESSIONAL rugby career at one of the top sides in England is beckoning for Zimbabwe rugby ace Matthew McNab.
The 21-year-old gifted Sables wing recently edged closer towards realising his dream of playing professional rugby in England after being invited to feature for the Worcester Cavaliers, the academy side of English Premiership giants Worcester Warriors.
McNab, whose raw power, speed and agility has been catching the eye at Hartpury College R.F.C, starred for Worcester Cavaliers in their Premiership Rugby Shield opener against Sale Jets late last month and scored a beautiful try in the team’s 47-15 victory at Sixways Stadium.
It was a memorable experience for McNab, who had the opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the top players at Worcester Warriors. The English side is also home to Zimbabwe international prop Farai Mudariki and fomer Young Sables captain Marco Mama.
McNab said the guest appearance for Worcester Cavaliers had further ignited his desire to earn a pro contract after completing stint at the Gloucestershire-based Hartpury College, one of Britain’s leading sporting colleges.
“It was an unreal experience. I enjoyed it a lot and learnt a lot from the different players. Obviously meeting all the big names within the first team setup was great and just getting positive feedback from the various professional players was a great experience,” McNab told The Sport Hub in an exclusive interview.
“Scoring a try was a great highlight it’s been one of the greatest highlights since I started playing rugby here but I just need to keep working hard.
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Obviously there are few things I can be critical on myself about in terms of defense. I could have done a few things a bit better but that’s just part of the learning experience and hopefully going forward signing something later on. I enjoyed the opportunity I was lucky to get. I’m sure if I get the opportunity again I would grab it with both hands. If the opportunity comes in the future to be able to sign something with Worcester I’d love to but at the moment I’ve to keep working hard and not just keep my eyes on one thing,” McNab said.
McNab has been on a steady rise since moving to Hartpury College two years ago to further his rugby career while also studying for a sports business management degree.
Together with fellow Zimbabwe international Aiden Burnett, the duo have been establishing themselves at the famous institution’s rugby side, which is the reigning British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) National Champions.
McNab hopes to use the platform as a stepping stone towards a professional rugby career.
The Gloucester institute which has strong links with Gallagher Premiership side Gloucester has played a significant role in the development of many fledgling Zimbabwean rugby players over the years.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my stint so far; obviously Hartpury has quite a strong reputation of producing players, who have gone on to become professionals such as our very own Sebastian Negri who is now plying his trade in Italy. He went through the Hartpury rankings, he’s now in a professional setup and that’s what my aim and goals are,” McNab said.
“The level of rugby at Hartpury is second to none, I’m very well looked after and I just have to continue working hard and hopefully offers will come about from some of the top clubs. I just have to keep my eyes open to anything and take whatever opportunity I can.”
“I’ve been enjoying a great season, it’s been tough but there have been many highlights that I can be happy about. It’s a different style of rugby obviously from Zimbabwe and the adaption has been pretty hard but I’ve managed to get myself in a situation where I’m enjoying it and playing with a lot more freedom.
Understanding the game plan was a big thing for me in my first year but going to this season I’ve adapted well,” he said.
For McNab, sport is part and parcel of his family. His father played for Matabeleland while his uncle Charlton, also earned several caps for the Sables and represented the national Sevens side, the Cheetahs at two Sevens World Cups.
A former Whitestone Primary School and Falcon College pupil, Matthew played cricket for the Zimbabwe Under 17s and 18’s side before being included in the national squad for the 2016 Under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh.
He, however, settled for a career in rugby, where he went on to represent Zimbabwe at both Under 18 and Under 20s levels, and by the time he left school, he was already knocking on the doors of national team selection.
Since being handed his Sables debut by former Springbok coach Peter de Villers in a World Cup qualifier against Morocco at home last year, McNab has went on to earn nine caps, establishing himself as a key member of the squad.
After featuring in the Sables’ successful season this year, where they won the rebranded Victoria Cup, McNab says he is looking forward to next season, when the national side will begin its quest to qualify for the next World Cup to be hosted by France in 2023.
“Obviously we are going into a really big year with the Sables and I’m honoured to be part of the Sables setup. It’s an honour knowing I can give back and do something for my country. I’m based in the UK playing my club rugby here but in terms of nationally I will always come back and play for Zimbabwe, it’s my country and I will never turn down a Sables call up and I am looking forward to playing for them and also featuring in the SuperSport Challenge,” he said.
The Sables were recently drawn alongside minnows Ghana and North African side Tunisia in Group D of the Rugby Africa Cup 2020, which doubles as the first stage of qualification for the 2023 Rugby World Cup to be hosted by France.
Zimbabwe kick start their campaign with a date against minnows Ghana at home on June 20. However, before that the side is expected to feature in the SuperSport Rugby Challenge in South Africa.
