Motari earns maiden cap as Kenya prepare for Spain test

Strathmore Leos centre Samuel Motari will earn his first international cap when Kenya 15s face Spain in a rugby test match at the RFUEA grounds on Saturday.

Motari, 22, replaces Kenya Commercial Bank’s Fabian Olando, who featured for the Simbas in their 46-15 win over Tunisia in the Africa Rugby Division 1A duel on June 28.

Motari’s international debut is part of the tactical changes made to the team by head coach Jerome Paarwater ahead of the test match.

Experienced Impala player, Vincent Mose, who came off the bench against Tunisia, will start at fullback with club-mate Samuel Oliech, who played at the position against Tunisia, switching to fly-half.

Kenya Harlequin’s Isaac Adimo, who was first choice fly-half against Tunisia, drops to the bench while Kabras Sugar scrum-half, Edwin Achayo, comes on board after a long left ankle injury lay-off.

Achayo replaces Lyle Asiligwa, who is recovering from a right arm injury sustained in the clash against Tunisia. Achayo, 29, last featured for Kenya against Namibia during the Africa Rugby Division 1A-cum-World Cup qualifier in July last year in Madagascar.

K'OPONDO RETURNS

Former skipper Wilson K’Opondo from Kenya Harlequin will start from the bench on his return to the side Kenya’s 10-28 loss to Zimbabwe in a Rugby World Cup qualifier on June 6.

“Spain have been watching video clips from our past matches and are used to Adimo and Oliech hence the shift in positions by having Mose in the starting line-up while moving Oliech to fly-half,” said team manager Wangila Simiyu while naming the team at a press conference Thursday.

Wangila said they lacked nimble support play after a series of breaks against Zimbabwe and Tunisia but that should improve with Oliech, Mose and Achayo in their positions. Kenya lost to Zimbabwe 20-28 on June 13 before beating Tunisia 46-15 on June 28 in the Africa Rugby ties.

Wangila said it will be exciting to see Mose will play off Oliech and wing Darwin Mukidza adding that they have realised what Oliech can do at fly-half. “Oliech is an astute all-rounder and can attack well hence something that Spain will have to think about instead of Adimo,” said Wangila noting that Motari’s progression has been outstanding from last year’s Bamburi Rugby Super series and at his current club.

Wangila said Achayo has been enterprising, having recovered from injury at the right time, replacing Asiligwa, who is out for 12 weeks.

Wangila said even though it has been challenging for them as they grappled with injuries and choice of players, they are ready to face Spain, who are placed 20th in the World Rugby ranking.

“We plan to minimise on our mistakes especially at the breakdown after we gave out so many penalties against Tunisia,” said Wangila adding that they are not worried after the Spanish coach said they would match Kenya in their band of exciting open play. “We can be driving the same make of a car and speed but it will depend who dares who first,” he opined.

Squad:

1. Moses Amusala (KCB), 2. Samuel Warui (Nakuru). 3. Isaiah Nyariki (Nakuru), 4. Ronnie Mwenesi (Nondies), 5. Oliver Mang’eni (KCB), 6. Brian Nyikuli (Strathmore Leos/Captain), 7. Michael Okombe (Nakuru), 8. Joshua Chisanga (Homeboyz), 9. Edwin Achayo (Kabras Sugar), 10. Samuel Oliech (Impala), 11. Jacob Ojee (KCB), 12. Kelvin Omiyo (Nakuru), 13.Samuel Motari (Strathmore Leos), 14. Darwin Mukidza (KCB), 15. Vincent Mose (Impala).

Substitutes:

16. Peter Karia (KCB), 17. Curtis Lilako (KCB), 18. Davis Chenge (Western Bulls), 19. Wilson K’Opondo (Harlequin), 20. Robert Aringo (Impala), 21.Dennis Muhanji (Harlequin), 22. Isaac Adimo (Harlequin), 23. Lawrence Buyachi (Nakuru).

Management:

Jerome Paarwater (head coach), Charles Ngovi, Dominique Habimana (Assistant coaches), Richard Ochieng (Strength and conditioning), Chris Makachia (Physio), Simiyu Wangila (Team manager).