USA 7s STAR NGWENYA SHINES IN FRANCE!

L to R: Ngwenya, Pakis Corner and Chris 'SHREK' Wyles at the 2009 Sevens World Cup.

Takudzwa Ngwenya. Remember him? The USA winger rose to prominence skinning Mr. Bryan Habana back at the 2007 World Cup.
Well wasn’t it nice to see Ngwenya back in sparkling form this weekend, bagging a sensational hat-trick against an injury ravened Gloucester in the Heineken Cup.

Harare-born Ngwenya left Zimbabwe eight years ago and tried out as a wide receiver in American football while studying at the University of Texas.
He was spotted by the United States sevens team and then drafted by the former England scrum-half, Nigel Melville, who was in charge of the Eagles at the last World Cup.

"I was fast but too small for American football," Ngwenya said (speaking to the Daily Telegraph).

Ngwenya continued his development through Sevens and on his day could prove unstoppable with his sublime footwork and ridiculous pace.
"I took to sevens to stay in shape. I had no skills but could run a bit."

His stock rose and eventually after trialling with Saracens got offered some decent bucks by Biarritz. Good luck to him.
It’s potentially frightening to think about how many Ngwenyas there out there in the US who could crossover from Football. Sevens just seems the perfect platform and tool for them to develop in.

- UR7s.com columnist Robin Heymann