HARARE - Former All Blacks player and coach John Mitchell, who is currently visiting Zimbabwe, says he is prepared to share his expertise with the country ahead of the Sables’ 2015 World Cup qualifiers in June and July.
50-year-old Mitchell is here for the Dairibord Kyros Rugby Academy Week, being organised by the UK-based Kyros Rugby company, run by former Zimbabwe youth international Kisset Chirengende.
A dinner was held for the former New Zealand forward in Harare on Sunday night, attended by fans and representatives of the Zimbabwean rugby community.
“I’m looking for share my wisdom with Zimbabwean rugby,” Mitchell said. “I understand you are at a crucial stage in the country with the World Cup qualifications.”
Mitchell, who coached the All Blacks during their disastrous 2003 World Cup, all spoke about how he tried to deal with the disappointment of that forgettable campaign.
He said New Zealand’s high performance programme was strong because the academy spreads “good players in each position among the five franchises rather than all at one franchise.”
Mitchell is being accompanied on the Zimbabwe trip by 22-time capped Springbok hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle, who now plays for the Toulouse in the French Top 14 competition.