Kenya to warm up for Cup qualifiers against Uganda

Kenya Simbas head coach Ian Snook is confident his side will have gained the much needed fitness ahead of their 2019 Japan World Cup qualifier that starts against Morocco on June 23, this year in Casablanca, Morocco.

Snook said that he will use the first leg of the annual Elgon Cup against Uganda on May 26 in Kampala to test his systems before the World Cup qualifier  that will double up for Rugby Africa Gold Cup clash.

Snook, who is expected to select his working squad of 35 players today after the last two Sundays of trials at the RFUEA grounds, acknowledged that even though he was disappointed with the team’s strength and conditioning aspect, he is pleased that the players are learning the ropes first.

“I was little bit disappointed on how unfit the players were after watching them play in the league and the first training,” said Snook, who took over the team three weeks ago.

“However, the boys are working hard and hitting towards peak fitness. You can’t do anything with the players before getting them fitter,” explained Snook adding that the boys will be in great shape when they face Morocco next month. Snook said that what is pleasing is that Kenya has got talented players with passion to learn the game.

“They have got good ball movement and good support play but they need to speed up,” said Snook adding that there was a big improvement in Sunday’s trials compared to the previous Sunday.

Snook, who has fellow New Zealander Murray Roulston as his assistant, drafted local coaches Kenya Curtis Olago (Commercial Bank coach), Paul Murunga (Homeboyz), Charles Cardovillis (Kabras Sugar) and Frank Ndong (Impala Saracens) to help out during the trials.   

Ndong said the coaches faced a big selection headache after some players staged a standout performance yesterday in the trials that involved 60 call ups.

“It’s good the players are adapting to new systems and the involvement of the local coaches is wise since they know most of the players,” said Ndong.

“When you have all minds coming in you get consensus besides getting to move forward quickly.”

Ndong said scrummage has always been their major weakness when meeting the likes of Namibia and hopes that it will be sorted out.

“This is the kind of rugby we want to see. I am happy the visiting coaches are enjoying the process and that Kenyan coaches are being involved,” said Cardovillis. “We are getting a good feedback from players.”

Rugby Africa Gold Cup/ 2019 World Cup qualifier fixtures:

Kenya v Morocco-June 23 (Away)

Kenya v Zimbabwe -June 30 (Home)

Kenya v Uganda -July 7 (Home)

Kenya v Tunisia -August 11 (Home)

Kenya v Namibia-August 11 (Away)