History for Zimbabwe rugby

Press, 30 May 1987, Page 15

History for Zimbabwe rugby

By

JOHN CREAN

NZPA Wellington When the Zimbabweans run out on to Athletic Park today it will mark the beginning of the greatest day in the country’s short rugby history. For its opponent, Scotland, it will signal the beginning of one of the most important games in its success-studded international campaign stretching back over 100 years. Scotland cannot afford any slip-ups against Zimbabwe which showed admirable ball handling skill and commitment in its first-up match with Rumania.

Lying third in pool 4 behind France and Rumania, the Scots know nothing short of victory will keep their World Cup challenge on course. Playing minor nations at any sport is- always a

problem for Scottish teams. While scaling the mountain seems to be no problem, they tend more often than not to trip over mole hills. But in coach Derrick Grant, Scotland has a supreme motivator, and realist, who will not allow any over-confidence to creep in.

The only change in the team is injured try-scorer Derek White who is replaced by Jeremy Camp-bell-Lamerton at lock.

A late call-up to the World Cup squad following the withdrawal of John Beattie, CampbellLamerton comes from good rugby stock. His father, Mike Camp-bell-Lamerton, captained the British Lions on its 1966 tour of New Zealand and his three brothers all play the sport.

Scotland will miss the silky skills of first fiveeighths John Rutherford

whose World Cup lasted just seven minutes. He aggravated a knee injury against France and is now back home in the Borders.

Douglas Wyllie, a first five-eighths for his club but centre for the Scots, takes over the vital berth while 22-year-old Alan Tait gains his second cap at second five-eighths. Zimbabwe only became an independent country in 1980 and thus has the shortest history of all the 16 competing nations here. The Zimbabwean forwards are big and mobile with good ball handling skills. They never allowed Rumania to settle in the first game and were good value for the lead which the East Europeans only overhauled in the last 12 minutes for a slender one point victory.

Good news from the African camp is that second five-eighths Richard Tsimba, who set the Eden Park crowd alight with his dazzling running, is fit to play. Zimbabwe coach, Brian Murphy, is praying that the wind drops before the game.

He explained that Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, is almost a

windless city and his team were clueless about how to handle blowy conditions.

Other than that he was confident the only team to come Out of Africa for the tournament can again put on an entertaining, and maybe a winning, display.