Kenya face Brazil in ‘Cup of the Hemispheres’

Kenya's Simba's prop Moses Amusala (right) is tackled by Tunisia's Ahmed Charrada during their Confederation of African Rugby match on June 28, 2015 at the RFUEA grounds. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |

What you need to know:

  • Kenya coach Jerome Paarwater has only one fresh name in his side
  • The two teams will be meeting for the first time. Another historical aspect is that Brazil will be hosting an African nation in an Test match for the first time.

Brazil will host Kenya in a Test match dubbed “Cup of the Hemispheres” pitting two countries on continents separated by the Atlantic Ocean but joined by the Equator at Estádio Olimpico Zerao in Macape city on Saturday from 11 pm.

The two teams will be meeting for the first time. Another historical aspect is that Brazil will be hosting an African nation in an Test match for the first time.

It will also be the first time that the northern Brazilian state of Amapá will play host to a rugby test match at the Estadio Olimpico Zerao.

The venue was strategically selected as the equator passes through the middle of the field, placing half of the field in the Northern Hemisphere and the other half in the Southern.

Coming off participation in the Americas Rugby Championship and the South American A Championship, Brazil, who are ranked 35th in the world, are well prepared for Kenya.

For Kenya, the match will serve as preparation for the Africa Rugby Division 1A competition against Zimbabwe, Namibia and Uganda in July 9, 16 and 30 in Harare, Windhoek and Nairobi respectively.

Kenya, ranked 27th, will play Hong Kong on August 23 and 27 respectively in Nairobi.

Three foreign-based players are part of Brazil coach Rodolfo Ambrosio’s squad of 26 players that also has players who appeared in both the Americas Rugby Championship and South American Championship.

They are Buenos Aires hooker Yan Rosetti and locks Luiz Vieira of French club Oyonnax and uncapped Pedro Bengaló who is based in Portugal.

Kenya coach Jerome Paarwater has only one fresh name in his side, Impala’s scrumhalf Samson Onsomu, who replaced injured Lyle Asiligwa of Quins.

In another development, Kenya Rugby Union on Friday announced they had sanctioned the mCHEZA Sevens tournament. The event will feature selected Kenya 7s in different teams and will be held at RFUEA grounds on June 25.

The Union had earlier last week said the tourney was not sanctioned as it had not met the guidelines and procedures of the KRU.