EXCLUSIVE: The first interview with Farai Mudariki after his move to Worcester Warriors

3-mob.com brings you yet another exclusive interview.

This time it’s Zimbabwe’s hugely talented young Prop Farai Mudariki. This is his first interview since securing a massive move to English heavy weights Worcester Warriors. We find out what makes him tick, how he is feeling and some insight on the Tunisian debacle.

We talk to Farai (FM)

#3mob: So tell us about Farai, who are you?
FM: My name is Farai Mudariki, born in Harare on the 13th of Feb 1999. I come from a big family and I grew up in a big house hold with my grandparents, my parents, a few uncles, my cousins and my brother as well yeah that’s me.

#3mob: How was it learning in South Africa and developing there?
FM: It was good learning in South Africa obviously starting school at Heritage in my earlier years then moving on to St Johns prep for two years. I then made the switch to South Africa in grade 5 moving to Cordwalles Prep which is in the heart of Pietermaritzburg and is also a feeder school for Michael House where I eventually went. I was very privileged to have that experience and it’s a major reason for my success.

#3mob: And then France how did that come about?
FM: So France, after I finished high school I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do with my life Rugby was a possibility but I wasn’t sure. I started thinking it could actually be a career in my last year of high school, I had a phenomenal season for the first team at Michael House and made the Academy A provincial side thereafter.

#3mob: How soon was this after school?
FM: I didn’t get a big contract straight out of high school so I was sort of stuck at a dead end and wasn’t sure whether or not I wanted to pursue Rugby as a career. I had decided to go to Varsity College in Cape Town to study for a marketing degree. I started playing club Rugby for Old Georgians here in Harare and after a few good performances I was called up to the national team to play during the 2014 Africa Cup which was qualification for the World Cup the next year. After we narrowly missed out my coach at the time Liam Middleton made a call to Castres which at the time was looking for a prop my age and the move happened.

#3mob: Well obviously Hilton, your brother is a major part of your career, how would you say the experience has been of having a successful athlete as a brother, did you ever feel like you were in his shadow and had pressure to break out?
Farai: Growing up it was quite cool to have him around because he brought me into sport mainly Rugby and Cricket. I remember when I first started playing Rugby my skills were much more developed than my peers because I had an older brother who could teach me certain things like passing with both hands which most people couldn’t do, it was just such a bonus having him around. I won’t lie though when I was in High school, I sort of struggled having my brother there because we were both big characters so I felt that I struggled to reach my full potential when he was around. After he left I didn’t have that pressure of being Hilton’s younger brother I became my own person and that helped. Thinking about it now it’s really cool that we played in the national team together and not a lot of brothers can say they achieved that. It has its pros and cons and but overall it’s been great.

#3mob: Who if anyone, who plays Rugby did you look up to while growing up or on the come up?
FM: It’s actually quite interesting I don’t have any idols as such, but I would like to pay homage to people like Beast Mtawarira, Brian Mujati and David Pocock because they basically showed us that if you are from Zimbabwe anything is possible. Looking at it from my situation, these three players haven’t played for Zimbabwe, I would like to be the first or be the pioneer, to play for Zim and show that you can make it to a certain level. I want to show people that it’s possible.

#3mob: At the moment you are the toast of the local Rugby Fraternity. You just sealed a move to Worcester Warriors which is a top tier English Rugby team playing in the premiership . Big Congratulations! How are you feeling?FM: I am really proud, It’s been a long road I’m just really chuffed and grateful for the support of my family and the people I have had around me. I have just had really great people around me. It comes down to hard work and the people around me. I can’t wait to get there in about a months time and see what I can do.

#3mob: So are you feeling any pressure? It’s obviously a big move, you are young and it’s a new country.
FM: It’s quite funny I have always wanted to live in the UK, so yeah I will see what all the hype is about. Apparently I won’t like it because of the weather but then I am just happy that I will be able to do what I love. The game is all about dealing with pressure it comes with the territory so I’m keen for that challenge. It’s good to be on my toes I am a young player so I still have a lot to learn but I can’t keep using that excuse, I am happy with the progress I have made so far and I am sure I will keep progressing and reach the level I want to reach

We will be dropping the whole audio interview conducted by Taka Mudariki in the next few days.