Takudzwa Ngwenya

Infobox Rugby biography
name = Takudzwa Ngwenya


caption =
birthname =
nickname = Z or Zee
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1985|7|22
placeofbirth = Harare, Zimbabwe
dateofdeath =
placeofdeath =
height = height|ft=5|in=10
weight = lb to st lb|185
ru_position = wing|capital=yes
ru_nationalteam = USA
ru_nationalyears = 2007-present
ru_nationalcaps = 4
ru_nationalpoints = (10)
ru_ntupdate = 30 September 2007
ru_sevensnationalteam = USA
ru_sevensnationalyears = 2007–08
ru_sevensnationalcomp = 2
ru_clubyears = 2007–
ru_proclubs = Biarritz
ru_clubcaps = 10
ru_clubpoints = (20)
ru_clubupdate = 2008-04-01
other = yes
school = Vainona High School
university = Brookhaven College

Takudzwa Ngwenya (born July 22 1985 in Harare, Zimbabwe) is a rugby union player who plays on the wing for the United States national rugby union team and French power Biarritz. He made his mark in the 2007 Rugby World Cup with scintillating tries against South Africa [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/7018054.stm "Rugby World Cup Match Report, South Africa 64 USA 15] . "BBC News online", 30 September 2007.] and Samoa.

Early career

The oldest of three boys, Ngwenya first played rugby in Zimbabwe for the Mashonaland Club and for Vainona High School, from which he graduated in 2003. After moving to the USA, he played for the Plano High School team in Plano, Texas and went on to play for the Dallas Athletic Rugby Club for a few years. He was clocked at 10.25 for the 100m dash. DARC Rugby sent him to play for the Texas Select Side and the USA Under 19 national team, then the national Sevens team that came first in Bangkok and the 2007 North America 4.

2007 Rugby World Cup

At the 2007 Rugby World Cup against South Africa, Ngwenya scored what was voted the 2007 International Rugby Press Association Try of the Year, an award handed out at the 2007 IRB Awards ceremony the night after the World Cup final.cite news|url=http://www.irb.com/history/awards/newsid=2020608.html#habana+named+irb+player+year |title=Habana named IRB Player of the Year |author=Rugby News Service |publisher=International Rugby Board |date=2007-10-21 |accessdate=2007-10-21] A South African pass was intercepted by USA Flanker Todd Clever near his own 5-metre line. After a run of about 25 metres, Clever passed to Alec Parker, who in turn offloaded to Mike Hercus. Hercus then made a long pass to Ngwenya on the right wing.cite news| url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/rugby/article2568079.ece |title=Takudzwa Ngwenya looks Europe bound after World Cup displays |date=2007-10-01 |accessdate=2007-11-26 |publisher=timesonline.co.uk] Ngwenya then ran the ball from just inside his own half and was confronted by South African winger, and 2007 IRB Player of the Year, Bryan Habana. However Habana did not make the tackle as Ngwenya sidestepped, and then ran around and outpaced him to score.

Ngwenya was offered a one month trial at Saracens in England's Guinness Premiership by new coach Eddie Jones. However, he got a considerably better offer in France's Top 14, signing a two-year contract with Biarritz on 6 November.cite web|url=http://www.bo-pb.com/actu_breve.php?id=16821&re=q:Ngwenya&pp=1&cat=Br%E8ves |title=Takudzwa Ngwenya pour deux ans à Biarritz |language=French |publisher=Biarritz Olympique |date=2007-11-06 |accessdate=2007-11-15]

References

External links

* [http://web.usarugby.org/cgi-bin/viadesto/natteams/mnt/15ProfileDetail.pl?playerId=379 USA Rugby profile]
* [http://rugbydump.blogspot.com/2007/10/takudzwa-ngwenya-smokes-bryan-habana.html] - Ngwenya's famous try against South Africa at the 2007 Rugby World Cup
*cite web| url=http://www.scrum.com/1200_1205.php?player=61994&includeref=dynamic |title=Zee Ngwenya |publisher=scrum.com |accessdate=2007-11-26
*cite web| url=http://www.itsrugby.co.uk/joueur_10159.html |publisher=itsrugby.fr |title=Ngwenya Takudzwa |accessdate=2007-11-26
*cite news| url=http://www.planet-rugby.com/Story/0,18259,3822_2886091,00.html |title=Ngwenya signs with Biarritz |date=2007-11-16 |accessdate=2007-11-26 |publisher=planet-rugby.com