Takudzwa Ngwenya
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| Date of birth | July 22, 1985 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Place of birth | Harare, Zimbabwe | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 185 lb (84 kg) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Vainona High School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | Brookhaven College | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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[1] 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 Rugby Club in Plano, Texas and went on to play for the Dallas Athletic Rugby Club for a few years. He was clocked at 10.5 [1] hand time for the 100 m 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.
Professional career
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 from Biarritz in France's Top 14, signing a two-year contract with them on 6 November 2007.[2] Since 2007 Ngwenya has been a constant presence on the wing for Biarritz. In the 2009–10 Heineken Cup he helped the club make their first final since the 2005–06 Heineken Cup, finishing second in tries scored during the competition with 6.[3] Ngwenya also had a stellar year in the Top 14, starting in 21 games and bagging 7 tries.[3]
References
- ^ "Rugby World Cup Match Report, South Africa 64 USA 15. BBC News online, 30 September 2007.
- ^ "Takudzwa Ngwenya pour deux ans à Biarritz" (in French). Biarritz Olympique. 2007-11-06. Retrieved 2007-11-15. [dead link]
- ^ a b http://www.itsrugby.co.uk/joueur_10159.html
External links
- USA Rugby profile
- [2] – Ngwenya's famous try against South Africa at the 2007 Rugby World Cup
- "Zee Ngwenya". scrum.com. Retrieved 2007-11-26.
- "Ngwenya Takudzwa". itsrugby.fr. Retrieved 2007-11-26.
- "Ngwenya signs with Biarritz". planet-rugby.com. 2007-11-16. Retrieved 2007-11-26.