Kopondo Returns, Three New Faces In Snook RWC Repechage Outfit
1st September 2018
Simbas head coach drops four as he plots final push to make Japan 2019 global showcase
- Thomas Okidia, Ephraim Oduor and Elvis Namusasi are the new faces in the Simbas team for the inter-continental play-off in Marseille, France
- Curtis Lilako, Oscar Simiyu, Isaac Adimo, Edmund Anya and Erick Kerre left out of squad altogether
- Kenya will be up against Canada, Germany and Hong Kong in the round robin competition whose winner will secure the last RWC ticket
- The team starts training on Monday and having fallen to continental champions, Namibia 28-53 in Windhoek to fail in their mission to clinch an automatic slot
NAIROBI, Kenya- Head coach Ian Snook rolled out his Simbas XV squad of 33 to prepare for the 2019 Rugby World Cup (RWC) Repechage final qualification in Marseille, France on Saturday.
The New Zealander included three new faces in his outfit, Thomas Okidia, Ephraim Oduor and Elvis Namusasi with the return of former captain Wilson Kopondo who missed the 2018 Africa Gold Cup campaign where Kenya finished second to Namibia also a highlight of his latest team.
Snook who is seeking to guide Kenya to a first-ever RWC charge in the inter-continental play-off left out Curtis Lilako, Oscar Simiyu, Isaac Adimo, Edmund Anya and Erick Kerre altogether.
The team starts training on Monday and having fallen to continental champions, Namibia 28-53 in Windhoek to fail in their mission to clinch an automatic ticket to Japan 2019 on August 18, the Repechage is the last stab for Simbas to play in the forthcoming RWC.
Kenya will be up against Canada, Germany and Hong Kong in the round robin competition whose winner will secure a ticket to compete against New Zealand, South Africa, Italy and Namibia in Pool B of next year’s 15s rugby global showcase.
-Material from www.kru.co.ke used to compile this report
SIMBAS REPECHAGE SQUAD
FORWARDS
Props: Patrick Ouko (Menengai Cream Homeboyz), Moses Amusala (KCB), Thomas Okidia (Menengai Cream Homeboyz), Ephraim Oduor (Kabras Sugar), Joseph Odero (Kabras Sugar), Hillary Mwanjilwa (Kabras Sugar)
Hookers: Colman Were (Kabras Sugar), Peter Karia (KCB), Philip Ikambili (Menengai Cream Homeboyz)
Locks: Wilson Kopondo (Kenya Harlequin), Andrew Chogo (Kabras Sugar), Oliver Mang’eni (KCB), Malcolm Onsando (Kenya Harlequin)
Backrow: George Nyambua (Kabras Sugar), Dalmus Chituyi (Menengai Cream Homeboyz), Elkeans Musonye (Strathmore Leos), Davis Chenge (KCB), Martin Owilah (KCB)
BACKS
Scrum halves: Samson Onsomu (Resolution Impala Saracens), Mohamed Omollo (Menengai Cream Homeboyz), Xavier Kipng’etich (Resolution Impala Saracens)
Fly Halves: Darwin Mukidza (KCB), Elvis Namusasi (Regional Logistics Mombasa)
Centers: Leo Seje (Resolution Impala Saracens), Maxwell Kang’eri ( Menengai Cream Homeboyz), Peter Kilonzo (KCB), Zedden Marrow (Menengai Cream Homeboyz), Felix Ayange ( Kabras Sugar)
Back Three: Tony Onyango (Menengai Cream Homeboyz), Vincent Mose (Resolution Impala Saracens), Jacob Ojee (KCB), William Ambaka (Kenya Harlequin)
Utility: Biko Adema (Nondescripts)