Simiyu to lead Kenya against touring Hong Kong
Kenya’s Innocent Simiyu is tackled by a Samurai player during the cup semi-final of the Tusker Safari Sevens at the RFUEA grounds. The Impala Saracens centre will captain Kenya A against touring Hong Kong. PHOTO | FILE
What you need to know:
- Simiyu leads a side named on Monday, that has a sprinkle of experience and youth.
- Kenya Harlequin centre Patrice Agunda, who is the deputy captain.
- Hong Kong will use the fixture to warm up for Saturday’s Test match against Kenya Simbas in Nairobi.
Impala Saracens centre Innocent Simiyu will captain Kenya 'A' against touring Hong Kong.
The two sides will clash on Tuesday from 7pm at Impala Sports Club, Nairobi as the Tatu City Series kick offs.
Simiyu made his international return after almost five years out as a substitute against Uganda Cranes during the Elgon Cup return leg match on July 30. Kenya won the match 45-24 to recapture the title.
The 33-year-old, who captained Kenya Sevens between 2006 and 2008, leads a side, named on Monday, that has a sprinkle of experience and youth.
Kenya Harlequin centre Patrice Agunda, who is the deputy captain, backrows Martin Owila from Nakuru and Mwamba’s Dan Sikuta, who is former Kenya Sevens player have been drafted to the side to mentor 10 new players. Impala Saracens prop Dennis Karani is another old hands in the team.
Homeboyz wingers Cyprian Kuto and Leonard Mugaisi and Mwamba utility back Michael Agevi are other former Kenya Sevens players in the Kenyan outfit.
Homeboyz hooker Philip Ikambili, Kabras Sugar’s George Nyambua, winger Enock Makinga (Nondies), Stephen Juma, Hilary Majilwa and Charlton Mokua are some of the newcomers.
PART OF PREPARATIONS
Hong Kong, also known as the Dragons, will use the fixture to warm up for Saturday’s Test match against Kenya Simbas at Rugby Football Union of East Africa (RFUEA) grounds.
“We have fished out talent from upcountry clubs and we want to throw them at the deep end for them to know what it takes play at high level,” said team manager Wangila Simiyu while naming the team on Monday at the RFUEA grounds.
“This forms part of our preparations for the 2019 World Cup.”
Wangila said the experience players in the team like Simiyu and Agunda should mentor the newcomers to the big stage.
“The newcomers have put in their hands for respective clubs and deserve selection,” explained Wangila.
The Dragons are currently ranked 22nd, two places above Kenya by World Rugby. Hong Kong last played Kenya in 2011 in Dubai where Kenya lost 44-17.
The Dragons have several players from their national Under-20 programmes. The majority of the members are from the new Elite Rugby Programme, Hong Kong’s first ever professional programme for 15s rugby.
