Hungry Simbas wait to pounce on Hong Kong Dragons

What you need to know:

  • Simbas’ skipper Brian Nyikuli said both teams have greatly improved since there last meeting in 2011 in Dubai where the Dragons prevailed 44-17.
  • The Dragons are currently ranked 22nd, two places above Kenya.
  • The Dragons have also reshuffled their starting line up from Tuesday with props Ben Higgins and Jack Parfitt set to start in place of Adam Fullgrabe and Rohan Cooke respectively. Fullgrabe will come off the bench while Cooke isn’t on their starting lineup.

Hosts Kenya Simbas and touring Hong Kong Dragons have promised a display of open rugby when they face in a Test match at the RFUEA grounds on Saturday from 4pm.

Simbas’ skipper Brian Nyikuli said both teams have greatly improved since there last meeting in 2011 in Dubai where the Dragons prevailed 44-17.

“Both teams play with intensity and have prepared well for the Test but the first 20 minutes of the showdown will show the course the duel shall take,” said Nyikuli. “The Dragons are a worthy side by virtue of their World Rugby standings that isn’t a fluke.”

The Dragons are currently ranked 22nd, two places above Kenya.

Hong Kong skipper backrow Nick Hewson said they were up to the task and looking to bounce back with victory after they lost to Kenya A 18-24 on Tuesday night at Impala Sports Club. Hewson said the fixture gave them a clue on what to do. He hinted they had refined their defence and set pieces.

“Kenyan backs exposed and frustrated our defence lines badly. We shall have to up our game since I am told we shall be up against a different side,” said Hewson.

Only three players from Kenya A have made it to the Simbas side while the Dragons have been reshuffled with most players who came off the bench against Kenya A on Tuesday starting. Six players in the visiting side are expected to make their international debut.

Impala Saracens scrum-half Samson Onsomu, who proved a gem for Kenya A, hopes to get airtime even though he was part of the team that travelled to Brazil but was not fielded.

KARANI MAKING A COMEBACK

Onsomu is among three, who were quite a revelation for Kenya A in midweek.

His exploits have earned him a call up to the Simba side. The others are Homeboyz left wing Cyprian Kuto and Impala Saracens tight-head prop Dennis Karani, who are making a comeback after several years.

However, the trio will start on the bench with Kenya Harlequin props the Kang’ethe brothers Joseph and James set to start after coming off the bench during the Kenya verses Uganda duel. Also starting is Kenya Commercial Bank hooker Peter Karia. Impala Saracen second row Simon Muniafu has replaced injured Ronnie Mwenesi.

The Dragons have also reshuffled their starting line up from Tuesday with props Ben Higgins and Jack Parfitt set to start in place of Adam Fullgrabe and Rohan Cooke respectively. Fullgrabe will come off the bench while Cooke isn’t on their starting lineup.

Scrum-half Adam Rolston and fly-half debutante Liam Owens will start in place of Charles Cheung and Jason Kjestrup restively.

Hong Kong finished second behind Japan in the Three-Nation Asian Rugby Championships that also featured South Korea earlier this year.  They lost to Japan 3-38 and 17-59 but edged out South Korea 34-27 and 41-15 respectively.

Kenya finished second behind Namibia in the Africa Rugby Cup Division 1A, having beaten Zimbabwe and Uganda 61-15 and 45-24 respectively and losing out to Namibia 21-56. 

The victory against Uganda saw Kenya Simbas recapture the Elgon Cup after they had beaten the Ugandans in the first leg 46-10.

Before their Elgon Cup and Africa Rugby campaign, Kenya edged out Brazil 18-17 to win the ‘Cup of the Hemispheres’ duel at Estádio Olímpico Zerão in Amapa in June.

HONG KONG DRAGONS:

1. Ben Higgins, 2. Jamie Tsang, 3. Jack Parfitt, 4. Adrian Griffiths, 5. Fin Field, 6. Nick Hewson (Captain), 7. Mathew Lamming, 8. Dan Falvey, 9. Adam Rolston, 10. Liam Owens 11. Charles Higson-Smith, 12. Tyler Spitz, 13. Matt Rosslee, 14. Jamie Robinson, 15. Ed Rolston. Reserves: 16. Alex Post, 17. Alex Ng Wai-Shing, 18 Adam Fullgrabe, 19. Mike Parfitt, 20. Tony Wong, 21. Joey Cheung Ho-Yin, 22. Charles Cheung, 23. Hugo Stiles.

KENYA SIMBAS

1.Joseph Kang’ethe, 2. Peter Karia, 3. James Kang’ethe, 4. Simon Muniafu, 5. Oliver Mang’eni, 6. Michael Okombe, 7. Tony Owuor, 8. Brian Nyikuli (captain), 9. Edwin Achayo, 10. Nato Simiyu, 11. Dennis Muhanji, 12. Nick Barasa, 13. David Ambunya, 14. Darwin Mukidza, 15. Tony Onyango,

Reserves: 16: Sammy Warui, 17. Curtis Lilako, 18. Dennis Karani, 19. Dan Sikuta, 20. Max Adaka, 21. Samson Onsomu, 22. Isaac Adimo, 23. Cyprian Kuto