Takudzwa Ngwenya
Takudzwa Ngwenya
| |
| Date of birth |
(1985-07-22) 22 July 1985 |
| Place of birth |
Harare, Zimbabwe |
| Height |
5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Weight |
187 lb (85 kg) |
| School |
Vainona High School |
| University |
Brookhaven College |
| Rugby union career |
| Playing career |
| Position |
Wing |
| Professional / senior clubs |
| Years |
Club / team |
Caps |
(points) |
2007-2016
2016- |
Biarritz Olympique
San Diego |
226 |
(410) 82t |
| correct as of 21 December 2015. |
| National team(s) |
| Years |
Club / team |
Caps |
(points) |
| 2007-present |
 United States |
36 |
(70) |
| correct as of 7 February 2016. |
| Sevens national teams |
| Years |
Club / team |
Comps |
| 2006–2009 |
United States |
5 (0) |
Takudzwa Ngwenya (born 22 July 1985) is a rugby union player who plays on the wing for the United States national rugby union team and PRO Rugby team San Diego. He made his mark in the 2007 Rugby World Cup with scintillating tries against South Africa[1] and Samoa.
Early career
Ngwenya was born in Harare, Zimbabwe. 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 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.
Ngwenya scored 2 tries in the 2007-08 Heineken Cup.
In the 2009–10 Heineken Cup he helped the club make their first final since the 2006, finishing tied for second in tries scored with 6.[3] Ngwenya also had a stellar year in the 2009–10 Top 14 season, starting in 21 games and winning 7 tries.[3]
In the 2010-11 Heineken Cup Ngwenya scored 5 tries, again tying for second.
During the 2011-12 Top 14 season Ngwenya collected five tries in the Top 14 and added 4 more in the Heineken Cup[4] Ngwenya crossed the whitewash for Biarritz seven times in all competitions during both the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons.[5]
Ngwenya playing for Biarritz in 2013
Club Statistics
- As of match played 21 December 2015.
International Tries
As of match played 12 October 2015.
| Takudzwa Ngwenya's International Tries [6] |
| Try | Opposing Team | City/Country | Venue | Competition | Year |
| [1] |  Samoa | Saint-Etienne, France | Stade Geoffroy-Guichard | 2007 Rugby World Cup | 2007 |
| [2] |  South Africa | Montpellier, France | Stade de la Mosson | 2007 Rugby World Cup | 2007 |
| [3] |  Uruguay | Sandy, Utah, USA | Rio Tinto Stadium | Test Match | 2008 |
| [4] |  Japan | Nagoya, Japan | Mizuho Rugby Stadium | Test Match | 2008 |
| [5] | Japan | Tokyo, Japan | Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium | Test Match | 2008 |
| [6] |  Russia | Glendale, Colorado, USA | Infinity Park | 2010 Churchill Cup | 2010 |
| [7] |  Portugal | Lisbon, Portugal | Estádio Universitário de Lisboa | Test Match | 2010 |
| [8] |  Canada | Toronto, Canada | BMO Field | Test Match | 2011 |
| [9] |  Romania | Bucharest, Romania | Stadionul Arcul de Triumf | Test Match | 2012 |
| [10] | Canada | Toronto, Canada | BMO Field | 2015 Rugby World Cup Qualifier | 2013 |
| [11] | Romania | Bucharest, Romania| | Stadionul Arcul de Triumf | Test Match | 2014 |
| [12] |  Fiji | Vannes, France | Stade de la Rabine | Test Match | 2014 |
| [13] | Japan | Gloucester, England | Kingsholm | 2015 Rugby World Cup | 2015 |
| [13] |  Argentina XV | Houston, Texas | BBVA Compass Stadium | 2016 Americas Rugby Championship | 2016 |
References
External links
