Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Zee Ngwenya's great hat-trick against Gloucester
Known as Zee to his friends, the Zimbabwean turned American has shown that in the two years since that sensational moment that was awarded Try of the Tournament, hes no one-trick-pony.
His progression from a little known Sevens player in Texas, to playing with the big boys in Europe, has been somewhat of a fairytale.
He was hoping to make it big in American Football after his family moved there when he was 16. His transition into professional rugby came almost by accident.
"During the off-season, I played a bit of rugby sevens for Dallas to stay in shape," he said.
"One of the American national coaches saw me and it all went from here. I'd tried my best in American football but they had big boys of 240 pounds who could run almost as fast as I could.
"I didn't think I would make it because I was too light. When I started playing rugby, I didn't have any skills. I could just run."
On the weekend, we saw exactly how well he can run, as well as chip, swerve, and finish like a top class wing with years of experience. He scored a superb hat-trick in a quick fire fifteen minutes, one of the fastest in European Cup history.
All three tries were taken brilliantly, showing that the young man from Harare has come on in leaps and bounds in the short period of time that hes been playing rugby, a little over four years to be exact.
While some were sceptical about his signing in France so suddenly after the World Cup in 2007, hes since proven his critics wrong and has shown huge improvements in his handling, reading of the game, and defence.
He in fact made a brilliant tackle on big Lesley Vainikolo at one stage in the match, bringing down the bulky winger with ease, just 5 meters out from the tryline.
Zee Ngwenya sure looks to be here to stay. He's a great example of a man who took his chance when it was presented to him, and is now one of the most potent finishers in European rugby.
Heineken Cup Round 6 Pick of the Week (Jan 2008)
Takudzwa Ngwenya smokes Bryan Habana
Serious gas shown by Eagles wing Ngwenya
Community : Discuss the Heineken Cup on our forum here
Posted at 12:35 pm | 73 comments
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Viewing 73 comments
Maximus October 20, 2009 11:38 am

Anonymous October 20, 2009 11:39 am

Anonymous October 20, 2009 11:51 am

cp85 October 20, 2009 11:53 am

Zee October 20, 2009 11:59 am

Andy October 20, 2009 12:18 pm

Lorcan October 20, 2009 12:18 pm

Anonymous October 20, 2009 12:19 pm

RD October 20, 2009 12:47 pm

jay October 20, 2009 1:23 pm

I've been following him playing for Biarritz and his game has improved a lot. It's always nice to see someone with that speed but then you gotta see if the guy can uplift his vision and technique... in his case, he's improved really fast...while Gobelet still thinks his size is enough to play for BO...
I agree with the modesty thing... but it's kind of new so lez hope he doesn't get big headed...
Anonymous October 20, 2009 1:32 pm

vinniechan October 20, 2009 2:27 pm

It's really nice to see a talent to truely come of age. Difference between him now and 2 years ago is probably that he didn't know WTH happened he smoked Habana.
Now that he's got the basics and game reading in his armoury, he's definitely one to look for in 2011
David October 20, 2009 2:28 pm

good try
The Inside Shoulder October 20, 2009 2:33 pm

Have to say that Sharples absolutely gifts him that 3rd try, not only does he spill the ball but in a bid to make up for his error he rushes across and takes out the man that Vanikolo is marking leaving Ngwenya open for the inside ball. Muppet.
B.O. play in some absolutely horrible shirts, almost as Bad as Bath's this weekend.
ayeaye October 20, 2009 2:34 pm

Ngwenya had an awesome game - great to see. As I remember one commentator saying - if I had a player like Ngwenya on my team, I'd just give him the ball 20 meters out and say, "right, off ya go, mate." In most games this season, it seems like he at least makes on or two pretty good plays and that shows he's improving as a player...not just there for his speed, but he's coming together as a winger in all areas.
As for defense...not sure I agree. What was it, some 9 straight games at the Aguilra without Barritz conceding a try - he can't let in THAT many tries, can he? Plus, there's the old saying "the best defense is a good offense". If he can score three tries for every one he lets in, I see no reason to complain.
vinniechan October 20, 2009 2:35 pm

marcus October 20, 2009 2:38 pm

Is this just a nickname, or what? Unfortunately, I don't speak French so I don't really get it...cheers.
jay October 20, 2009 2:42 pm

As simple as that !
semperfimamba October 20, 2009 2:58 pm

300 million people, tons of potential, huge market, and the stadiums are awsome.
The Cowboys first game sold out 100 000 seats at their new stadium!
Now whos got the ching ching to come over and make it happen?
:)
pete October 20, 2009 3:10 pm

Anonymous October 20, 2009 3:26 pm

Texas flyhalf trapped in a hookers body
Anonymous October 20, 2009 3:43 pm

needs to work on his defense, lets too many tries in for my liking
when he can score trys like those who cares you score 1 ill score 3
keh October 20, 2009 3:55 pm

I don't know. This argument will be played out for a while, but I don't know if it will ever make any ground...there's already so many sports here in the U.S. wanting to take some of the attention from NFL; soccer seems to have a better chance of that than rugby, and look how gimmicky they get bringing in Beckham and retired European players to boost interest here...
Just this month, there was a rugby match here in Denver - USA Select XV vs Arg. Jaguars. That's two national teams (2nd string, you could say), and maybe 100 paying people showed up...it was snowing, but I don't know if that's an excuse...it was a disappointing match where we lost by around 50 points, but my point is: are people in the States really going to pay to go see rugby?
Anonymous October 20, 2009 4:03 pm

Anonymous October 20, 2009 4:05 pm

Andrew October 20, 2009 4:23 pm

1. He is Zimbabwean not African American, and for those of you who will say he's African and from America, that may be true but that does not make hime 'African American'. There is about 300 years of difference.
2. America will never be huge in world rugby simply because there is not enough time for commercial breaks in a rugby game so it will not get TV time. Plus it is too complex a game for the average viewer. No one knows the rules, no one watches.
3. Typical Northern Hemisphere School-boy Defense (NHSBD) on the first try!
Andy October 20, 2009 4:42 pm

Anonymous October 20, 2009 5:10 pm

llanelliboy
Anonymous October 20, 2009 6:17 pm

Anonymous October 20, 2009 7:17 pm

oh yes because the US are so poor they cant afford to play rugby you can set it up yourself you dont need some english lad to go over and tell you to play rugby
a-non-e-mouse October 20, 2009 7:43 pm

FrankyH October 20, 2009 8:04 pm

this guy is a prime example of NFL athletes being decades ahead of rugby athletes
He's a little fast running Zimbabwean who wanted to make it in the NFL, but obviously never got a break or didnt know the game. Within a cpl of years of trying (at a decent age) he got spotted and took up rugby and the rest is history.
Please someone teach me to ignore the lame, childish, and stupid? I find it difficult to.
Anywaaaay.. effin great tries. All three of them were truly nothing but class. Even the third, which looked like just a run in - he positioned himself brilliantly before getting the pass, as someone mentioned here.
It would have been interesting if his family had made the move south rather than north. I wonder if he would have 'made it'. Habana on one wing, and Ngwenya on the other. Noice.
Donkey October 20, 2009 8:44 pm

Urban SA October 20, 2009 8:49 pm

Anyways, Zee can continue to play in low level rugby while Habs continues to win Super 14s, RWC, Tri-nations, Lions tours, Currie Cups... the list goes on.
Chris October 20, 2009 8:55 pm

You're blaming the guy for celebrating after out-pacing Bryan Habana? In the world cup? Coming from a nation with no professional league or structure? All the while considering that at the time he was an amateur athelete and had only been playing the sport a few years? Come on now. I'd be over the moon if I out-paced Andrew Sheridan nevermind Habana.
WelshOsprey October 20, 2009 8:59 pm

Nalaga is the same, occasionally brilliant but mostly clumsy and a liability.
Dave October 20, 2009 9:12 pm

Nalaga was top try scorer in the top 14 last season.. and is scoring again this season. How ignorant are you mate??
And to show such ignorance while posting with that name? hah.
I guess we should talk about shane williams then - Never rated him. Sure he can score the odd try but has anyone heard of him since the 2008?
Dave October 20, 2009 9:15 pm

Not wanting to cause sh*t. just cant stand the negative attitude when the guy scored a great hat trick
peace out. love rugby. love these tries. thanks RD.
Deans AscA October 20, 2009 9:18 pm

He reminds me of Chavanga, except slower.
Shaft October 20, 2009 9:22 pm

Skinstad, Teichman, Garvey, Chavhanga, Ngwenya, Mujati (for that extra push), and the Beeeeeaaaast.
Still missing a few players, but not a bad start.
Anonymous October 20, 2009 9:38 pm

Anonymous October 20, 2009 10:44 pm

falafel October 20, 2009 11:57 pm

;)
WelshOsprey October 21, 2009 12:48 am

Its just my opinion, no need to explode dave.
depogs October 21, 2009 12:59 am

Canadian Content October 21, 2009 1:01 am

Have to disagree with an earlier comment that criticized the fellah who made the statement about African American athletes.
Have you ever watched a 100 metre Olympic sprint final? 8 of the 10 competitors will be either West African or of West African descent (Caribean, African American, British African). This is not due to social conditioning. This is the most prestigious event in the world, would not every nationality want to win it? Absolutely, but a West African or West African descendent has for the last 6 Olympics at least. For some reason their bodies are simply more adept at sports which require power and speed.
That being said, who gives a f#%K. Great set of tries, the guy who complained about show boating probably never scores, not even in warm up touch games.
Dave October 21, 2009 6:28 am

I do still disagree though, and think that Nalaga is a great player, despite fiji's selection policy. If he can score tries consistently in one of the toughest leagues around, he must be doing something right.
Same would go for Ngwenya, although he still has far more to prove obviously. In terms of his progression though, he's done excellently so far.
Andy October 21, 2009 8:40 am

Anonymous October 21, 2009 1:12 pm

Rugbydump, love ya!
kevdetoulouse October 21, 2009 1:51 pm

I've seen a few biarritz's games and he wasn't stunning like that
don't get exited boys
wait and see...
Anonymous October 21, 2009 1:52 pm

But like someone mentioned earlier, american football already has the upper hand in tv contracts and fan support here. But soccer is gaining in popularity and it is only a matter of time until we catch up with the rest of the world powers on that pitch. Unfortunately it will be another century before rugby will have the same equal footing in homegrown talent.
But as far as population and resources are concerned, yeah, we got you all on those. Tick tock, tick tock; boys. Our time is coming.
posted by
THE flyhalf trapped in a hookers body
ps - not trying to be rude, just telling it how I see it while admiring all the fine rugby played by your countries around the globe...ruck on!
kevdetoulouse October 21, 2009 2:04 pm

"Anyways, Zee can continue to play in low level rugby while Habs continues to win Super 14s, RWC, Tri-nations, Lions tours, Currie Cups... the list goes on."
Incredible how an SA fan can insult our competition by calling it "low level rugby". You must certainly be a low level fan to write such a pill of shit
Love the game, respect the top 14, super 14, the guiness, magners, amateur, currie... but hate stupid fans (worst kind)
kevdetoulouse October 21, 2009 2:09 pm

can't stand much more patriotic or nationalist bullshit leaded by ignorance
Phil October 21, 2009 3:36 pm

To keep things in proportion though, I reckon the comments on here are way better than on Youtube. Has anyone else noticed how virtually every video's comments just degenerate into horrible, hateful tirades?
Anonymous October 21, 2009 6:24 pm

a fellow canadian
Feetham
Anonymous October 21, 2009 10:53 pm

Bill October 21, 2009 11:59 pm

It's fine.
Anonymous October 22, 2009 12:53 am

Saying that I would love to see rugby popular in America.
Tommo October 22, 2009 2:43 am

The money and athletes in the NFL is incredible.
Luckily for us, rugby is not a mass market sport there at all.
istya October 22, 2009 5:40 am

I completely disagree. American Football is losing its luster for a lot of fans. Rugby will only get popular in the US when we start winning something, and the Olympics Rugby 7s are a chance to go for that. There are over 1500 rugby clubs in the US right now, and it's growing.
Anonymous October 22, 2009 6:10 am

Andy October 22, 2009 9:38 am

Rugby may be growing, which is great but it will never get to the level of American football (which is americas version of rugby, that's where it came from).
Rugby will keep growing there but can you see the 80,000 people turning out to watch the games, how are they going to fit advertisments in every 5 minutes when they're shown on tv? How are they ever going to have the money to lure the athletes away from NFL?
It's a possiblity in the future but not for a very very long time. Which is a good thing becasue i agree that the US would be one of the top sides if rugby was a major sport.
Anonymous October 22, 2009 6:04 pm

NGWENYA IS ZIMBABWEA October 24, 2009 2:44 am

Anonymous October 26, 2009 10:50 am

But NFL players also can work on building muscle half the year when professional rugby players play 30-40 games in the season. And with all respect we could also talk of doping, which is a tradition in the NFL...How can 240 pounds people can run as fast as Ngwenya as he says in an interview?
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