2011 Invitational Zim XV

[Burgs]

Came to mind it would be interesting what (for whatever excuse) an Invitational Zim XV might look like.
No doubt there will be members with better info than me on this, but the below may act as an interesting starting point.

Invitational Zim XV:

#-Player-Position-B Year-H cm-W kg-Current Club

1 Tendai Mtawarira LH Prop 1985. 188 116 Sharks
2 Pieter Dixon Hooker 1977. 180 105 Bath
3 Brian Mujati TH Prop 1984. 181 118 Northampton
4 Andrew Rose Lock 1988. 182 92
5 Leon Greeff Lock 1975. Worcester Warriors
6 Scott Gray B Flanker 1978. 183 116 Northampton
7 David Pocock (C) O Flanker 1988. 184 104 Western Force
8 Dave Ewers Number 8 1990. 193 115 Exeter

9 Matt Reid Hertfordshire
10
11 Tonderai Chavhanga Wing 1983. 181 80 Lions
12 Anthony Papenfus Manawatu
13 Max Evans Centre 1983. 175 88 Castres
14 Takudzwa Ngwenya Wing 1985. 178 84 Biarritz
15 Edmoore Takaendesa Fullback 1980. 179 91 Germany

16
17
18
19 Nils Mordt Northampton
20 Garth Ziegler Wing 1986. 186 92 Bayonne
21 Nyasha Shuma Esher
22 Karl Mudzamba Wing 1977. 177 85 Hawke’s Bay

S Danny Hondo 7's Utility 1982. 179 93 Zimbabwe Sevens Squad
S Fortune Chipendu 7's Utility 1983. 199 95 Zimbabwe Sevens Squad
S Gardner Nechironga 7's Utility 1984. 194 84 Zimbabwe Sevens Squad
S Graham Kaulback 7's Utility 1990. 180 80 Zimbabwe Sevens Squad
S Jacques Leitao (7C) 7's Utility 1982. 183 92 Zimbabwe Sevens Squad
S Jason Graham 7's Utility 1989. 171 80 Zimbabwe Sevens Squad
S Justin Coles 7's Utility 1992. 185 100 Zimbabwe Sevens Squad
S Manasah Sita 7's Utility 1986. 182 92 Zimbabwe Sevens Squad
S Njabulo Ndlovu 7's Utility 1989. 187 98 Zimbabwe Sevens Squad
S Tafadzwa Chitokwindo 7's Utility 1990. 179 75 Zimbabwe Sevens Squad
S Tangai Nemadire 7's Utility 1986. 177 85 Zimbabwe Sevens Squad
S Wesley Mbanje 7's Utility 1981. 179 80 Zimbabwe Sevens Squad

[brokendown gunfighter]

Garth Ziegler as a utility back

[welshrugbyfan]

Surely the great man Gregan gets the nine spot? born in Zambia to a Zimbabwean mother.

Where's Bobby Skinstad? Should be flanker. Gary Teichmann (42 caps?) goes at number 8, he was a big bugger?

Ray Mordt on the wing, described as "a wounded rhinoceros in the body of a man".

Andy Marinos in the centres, played for Wales and my Newport Gwent Dragons. Also played for some shit league team called the Canterbury Bulldogs of all names.

David Curtis can fill the other centre spot, played for Ireland in the early 90's.

[zimeric]

4) Leon Greef (sharks 2002? distant relative of Pocock.. )
5)Andrew Rose (Wales U19 2010)
9) Matt Reid (Hertfordshire UK 2010)
10) Kennedy Tsimba (Cheetahs, Griquas 1995-2002)
12) Anthony Papenfus (Manawatu 2010)
13)Nyasha Shuma (Esher club UK 2010)

19)Nils Mordt (grandson of Ray Mordt, England 7s, Northampton 2010)
20)Karl Mudzamba (Hawkes Bay 2001-2004 "the Zimbabwe Express" you thought Chavhanga was fast )

[Burgs]

To clarify, it is a competitive XV, not Dad's Army

George Gregan retired from professional rugby in 2010.
Bobby Skinstad retired from professional rugby in 2007.
Andy Marinos retired from professional rugby in about 2007.
Gary Teichmann retired from professional rugby in 2001!
David Curtis retired from professional rugby in about 1992!!
Ray Mordt retired from professional rugby in 1986!!!

[theforceguy]

Still leaves you a hell of a lot to choose from and you will end up with a team that almost can potentially be top 4 in the RWC

[Burgs]

I thought you would have a XV up to the week ready to go Zim

[welshrugbyfan]

To clarify, it is a competitive XV, not Dad's Army

George Gregan retired from professional rugby in 2010.
Bobby Skinstad retired from professional rugby in 2007.
Andy Marinos retired from professional rugby in about 2007.
Gary Teichmann retired from professional rugby in 2001!
David Curtis retired from professional rugby in about 1992!!
Ray Mordt retired from professional rugby in 1986!!!

Do'h I thought it was a best ever team.

Maybe a greatest Zimbabwean golden oldies team?

[Burgs]

Still leaves you a hell of a lot to choose from and you will end up with a team that almost can potentially be top 4 in the RWC

Let's not get too carried away tfg.
Assuming one of the Sevens Squad can step up to be a decent Flyhalf then you have a Squad that would be on a par with the Rebels at the moment.

[GIGS20]

The number of simmers who have been poached by other countries would have an impact. SA lose a bit without 'the beast' we would lose a bit without bam, and I'm sure there'd be others. It would bring up the zim team, and bring down the rest of them. Top four might be pushing it, but top ten with the depletion to two of the top three teams, and (probably more importantly) the couple who would be picked up from lower placed international teams (don't ask me to name anybody, I wouldn't have a clue) might be achievable don't you think.

You don't have to be all that good to place tenth in a world cup!

[Burgs]

The only genuine "walk up start if fit" for his current country is Pocock, Beast competes for his jersey.
The rest of the current nationals there are a Scot and a couple of future "kids".
The others are either past Test selection or borderline amateur.
Don't get me wrong, it would be great to see the talent combined, but it is a bit like saying Melbourne would make the SR Finals if you brought home the 8-10 players with Victorian connectons currently playing.

The original thought of putting the list together for me was out of interest if they were to have an invitational XV to play say the Barbarians to celebrate something...such as Mugabe dying or the like...

[GIGS20]

OK, you know better than me....I just though with Bam and Beast, surely there would be a bunch running around Europe

[zimeric]

Top 4 is pushing it... even in the 90's when we were lucky enough to have all the talent at home, we still couldnt crack the RWC... the biggest issue i see is that most of the most talented Zim players have had their development externally. If we had the same programs running in the club circuit in Zim then that may make a difference.. no money though, so thats a pipe dream.

I'd like to think though that with players like Poe, Beast, Chavhanga, Mujati and Ngwenya and a couple of the Sevens lads, that we'd be on a Par with Canada in a World cup which is not shameful at all..