Kenya on verge of sealing Rugby World Cup slot

Kenya is on the verge of qualifying for its maiden Rugby World Cup (RWC) finals as the national team renews rivalry with Zimbabwe in Madagascar on Sunday.

Jerome Paarwater’s Simbas go into the Confederation of Africa Rugby (CAR) match on a clean sheet, having beaten favourites Namibia and Madagascar 29-22 and 34-0 respectively.

Namibia recovered to pip Zimbabwe 24-20 after the Sables had beaten Madagascar 57-22 in their first match. Kenya Simbas top the four-team qualifiers with 10 points, followed by Zimbabwe (six) and Namibia (five). Madagascar are without a point in the championship that is also known as Africa Cup.

KENYA NEED TO AVOID LOSS

Simbas only need to avoid defeat to get an unassailable lead that would hand them a first appearance at next year’s RWC finals in England and Wales.

Zimbabwe must register a bonus-point win over Kenya and also deny Kenya two bonus points if the Sables are to make it to the next year’s finals.

The Sables have played the Simbas 15 times since 1981, winning 10 times against Kenya’s five victories. The two teams met twice last season, with Kenya winning 29-17 to lift the Africa Cup. But the Sables would claim their revenge, beating Kenya 29-14 in the Tri-Nations tournament in Namibia.

The winner of the three-round tournament will join New Zealand, Argentina, Tonga and Georgia in Pool ‘C’ in the 2015 Rugby World Cup, while the runners-up will face Russia for a place in the Repechage Final.

Paarwater has urged his charges to go for a clean win and put a smile on the faces of their fans. “We are almost there and the boys are determined to make Kenya proud by winning to put a smile on their faces,” said Paarwater.

Paarwater, who has improved the forward department of his team, will field the same team that started against Namibia, save for injured left wing Dennis Muhanji who has been replaced by Michael Agevi.

Paarwater, a native of Western Province, is aware that the battle won’t be an easy affair even though they devoured Namibia and Madagascar.

He remained adamant that his team will not be cowed by the fact that Zimbabwe called up more professionals ahead of the championships, saying Kenya has the upper hand, having jelled for long unlike Sables.

“Our Vodacom Cup tour enhanced our strategy to beef up our forwards and the inclusion of some Kenya Sevens stars is just the icing on the cake,” said Paarwater.

“I will use similar approach as I did against Namibia by playing with the forwards. Qualifying for the Rugby World Cup would mean a lot to Kenya, the team and our fans, who are amazing. It would be like a dream come true to play New Zealand in the pool stages and face the Haka – it is something that we dream about,” said former Kenya Sevens skipper Humphrey Kayange.

KENYA SQUAD
Players: 15. Tony Onyango, 14. Collins Injera, 13. Humphrey Kayange, 12. Patrice Agunda, 11. Michael Agevi, 10. Lavin Asego, 9. Edwin Achayo, 8. Martin Owila, 7. Michael Okombe, 6. Brian Nyikuli, 5. Wilson K’Opondo (captain), 4. Oliver Mang’eni, 3. James Kang’ethe, 2. Samuel Warui, 1. Joseph Kang’ethe.

Reserves: 16. Maxwell Adaka, 17. Curtis Lilako, 18. Moses Amusala, 19. Ronnie Mwenesi, 20. Andrew Amonde, 21. Lyle Asiligwa, 22. Kenny Andola