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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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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.[2] 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.[3] 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.[2]
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.[4]
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