Zimbabwe’s Ian Prior admits it is hard to ignore the prize at stake this weekend.
The reigning Rugby Africa Men’s Cup champions face Namibia in Namboole, Uganda, this Saturday, with the winner of the final qualifying for Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027.
While Namibia have been ever-present at the Men’s Rugby World Cup since their debut in 1999, the Sables have failed to qualify since the last of their two tournament appearances in 1991.
As an Australian born to Zimbabwean parents, Prior is especially excited by the prospect of representing Zimbabwe on home soil at the Rugby World Cup.
“These are the games that you play for as a player – Grand Finals. Games like this can change the course of people’s careers, not only players but also administrators, coaches. It’s really exciting and it’s great to be a part of it this weekend,” said the former Western Force player.
“We’ve given ourselves a shot, which is very pleasing, given all the hard work that has gone in from a lot of people from inside and outside of the team over the last 12 to 18 months to get us to this position.
“And now it is time to go and enjoy it for what it is. Playing for that spot in the World Cup is really exciting, and the cool thing from a team perspective is that we haven’t really played to our potential yet in this tournament.”
POINTS MACHINE
Zimbabwe defied wet conditions and determined opponents to ease past Morocco 43-9 in the Rugby Africa Men’s Cup quarter-finals before edging out Kenya, 29-23, in a thrilling semi-final last Sunday.
The Sables are known for playing with freedom and scoring some fantastic tries from deep rather than relying on goal-kicking.
But Prior’s boot had a big say in both wins, scoring 37 points – just over half his team’s overall total – including a crucial late drop goal against Kenya’s Simbas.
“We had a wet game, first game, and in the second game, Kenya put us under defensive pressure, and they were quite physical, so we haven’t been really able to unlock our (attacking) game as much as we’d have wanted to.
“But I think we have adjusted really well, to show we are a test match side in terms of how we have adapted our game to suit the conditions and to suit the teams we are playing.”
Prior expects another physical battle against Namibia, who Zimbabwe beat 32-10 in last year’s semi-finals, their first win over the Welwitschias in 23 years and only their third in history.
“They’re a quality side, they have shown that in the last seven (Rugby World Cup) campaigns,” he stated.
“They’re a well-drilled side, they’ll bring some defensive pressure, they’re strong in the set-piece, and it is up to us to make sure we utilise our tools in the game and put our best foot forward in the 80 minutes.
“At the end of the day, that’s what it comes down to, who executes it best for those 80 minutes.”
MAKING IT COUNT
Prior has a Super Rugby winner’s medal from his time at Queensland Reds, as well as being one of only three Force players to make over 100 appearances before giving up full-time rugby last year.
He’ll be 37 by the time the next tournament kicks off, and appearing at a Rugby World Cup for Zimbabwe would be the perfect way for him to hang up his boots for good.
“I don’t know too much about the history of previous campaigns, where we have made it to the final and had a shot. I can’t remember the last time when that was as a nation. So to have earned our way here is really exciting,” he said.
“Obviously, that World Cup carrot has been a goal of mine to keep going, to keep waking up at 5.30 and go to gym before I go to work and then coming back from work, picking up the kids and going to do extra training on my own, because I am not in a full-time, professional environment anymore, kicking balls down to the local park and at my local club, Associates RUFC,
“It’s almost taken me back to when I was trying to make it as a pro, doing all hours, outside of your work, outside of your study, and now I have got a young family and a wife.
“They’ve been very understanding of the sacrifices I have had to make; it is time away from them, so I am looking forward to making that count on Saturday.”
In his six caps, Prior has amassed 80 points and is yet to lose in a Zimbabwean jersey, one which he wears with pride.
“For someone who has plied his trade in Super Rugby for 14 years and always had test ambitions, to represent my heritage nation where my family all come from – I am the only Aussie born in my family – is pretty special,” he confessed.
‘AN UNBELIEVABLE EXPERIENCE’
National pride is something that Namibia’s head coach, Jacques Burger, has in abundance.
The devil-may-care flanker played at three Rugby World Cups for Namibia and would love to get to a fourth, this time as coach, so his players can experience what he experienced in 2007, 2011 and 2015.
The Welwitschias are still on course to qualify for an eighth straight tournament after booking their place in this year’s Rugby Africa Men’s Cup final with a 21-7 win over Algeria in last weekend’s semi-finals.
“It’s a sense of pride you can’t explain, standing there singing your national anthem, and knowing people back home are supporting you, and obviously, people are supporting you there as well.
“Getting an opportunity to play against the world’s best rugby players is an unbelievable experience, and I have been fortunate enough to experience that.
“Everybody here, all the teams, that’s what they fight for, to get that opportunity, to represent their country at a World Cup.
“Careers don’t last forever, but the memories you make as players are everlasting.
“We want to make sure we make some great memories together, and in order to do that, we have to be successful. We have to work hard, fight hard, and stick together through the tough times.
“The World Cup is the ultimate goal and we’ll make sure we do everything possible to qualify.”
Photo: Rugby Africa