Buoyant Kenya brace for Spain test

Kenya Simba captain Brian Nyikuli says his charges are under pressure to perform against Spain in their Test match that kicks off at 4pm on Saturday at the RFUEA ground.

“There is always pressure when playing a higher ranked team for the first time and we will be required to rise to the occasion and perform,” said Nyikuli this week.

Nyikuli said the return of several players including Kabras Sugar scrum-half Edwin Achayo and Kenya Harlequin second-row and former skipper Wilson K’opondo was a big boost to the team.

Nyikuli believes that the tweaking of player positions by coach Jerome Paarwater should produce the desired results that will go a long way in improving Kenya’s World Rugby ranking.

Impala Saracens’s Vincent Mose, who came off the bench in their previous duel against Tunisia will start at fullback. His club-mate Samuel Oliech, who played at fullback against Tunisia, switches to fly-half.

Kenya Harlequin’s Isaac Adimo, who was first choice fly-half against Tunisia, has been moved to the bench.

Achayo, comes on board after a long left ankle injury layoff in place of Lyle Asiligwa, who is recovering from a right arm injury sustained in the clash against Tunisia. Strathmore Leos centre Samuel Motari is expected to make his international debut.

“It will be very exciting to see what the changes will bring out,” said Nyikuli. “We lacked quick support play after a series of breaks against Zimbabwe and Tunisia but that should improve. We must also minimise on our mistakes especially at the breakdown after we gave out so many penalties against Tunisia.”

The call up is an apt birthday gift for Motari, who turned 23 yesterday. “It’s a dream that has been realised at the right time when I have just completed my degree at Strathmore,” said Motari. “I just plan to play my game.”

ALL-ROUND RUGBY

Spain captain and centre Jaime Maria Nava de Olano said they will give Kenya a display of all-round rugby.

“We have watched their game and they have improved tremendously in the past years. Just like their sevens team, they are pretty exciting at the back but we shall match them there,” said Nava de Olano.

Nava de Olano is among the three players in the Spanish team who ply their professional trade in France. Others are fly-half Pierre-Emmanuel Garcia and fullback Sergi Aubannell.

The three players were part of the squad that beat Portugal 19-8 in their 2015 European Nations Cup First Division on March 14 in Lisbon.

Kenya went on to crush Portugal 41-15 on May 30 in Nairobi.

Spain are ranked 20th in the world by World Rugby.