Simbas eye first Repechage win against Hong Kong
What you need to know:
- Snook said that their main goal is to win the remaining games, having worked on their defence that looked porous against Canada
- Scrum-half Samson Onsomu, drops to the bench while winger Darwin Mukidza has been left out
- Hong Kong captain James Cunningham said they hope to recover from Germany defeat with victory against Kenya
Kenya Simbas coach Ian Snook still has hopes of qualifying for the 2019 Rugby World Cup as they take on Hong Kong ahead of their must-win Repechage qualifying match at Stade Delort in Marseille, France on Saturday.
Kenya soaked in 10 tries to crush to Canada 65-19 in the opening match last Saturday as Germany stunned Hong Kong 26-19.
“Yes, we still have an opportunity of making to 2019 Japan but we need to beat Hong Kong and then Germany hoping that Canada loses their two remaining matches,” said Snook.
Snook said that their main goal is to win the remaining games, having worked on their defence that looked porous against Canada.
As Kenya takes on Hong Kong, Canada will be eyeing their second consecutive win when they take on Germany, which could push them closer to Japan 2019. Canada, who have qualified for all eight previous Rugby World Cup finals, are clear favourites.
Kenya matched the Canadians for majority of the first half but still trailed 27-12 at the break. After the restart, they inched close 27-19 but the North Americans pulled away with Van Der Merwe starring.
“We were rusty against Canada but that has been sorted out with a couple of tactical changes,” said Snook, who has effected six changes to his squad that has seen former captain Wilson K’Opondo reclaim the armband from injured Davis Chenge.
Chenge, who injured his shoulder against Canada, has been replaced by Elkeans Musonye at open-side flank while K’Opondo comes in at lock in place of George Nyambua, who drops to the bench.
“Chenge will be okay for the final game against Germany on Friday next week,” said Snook.
Scrum-half Samson Onsomu, drops to the bench while winger Darwin Mukidza has been left out. Felix Ayange will now start at half-back with Nelson Oyoo moving to the wing.
“Onsomu and Mukidza have been struggling with form,” noted Snook adding that Hong Kong is a well organised side with lot of ‘heady’ players, who make good decisions. “We shall need to maintain pressure for 80 minutes to win.”
Having picked up a bonus point in their 10-try romp against Kenya, Canada top the table by five points, one better than Germany going into Saturday's showdown at Marseille.
Hong Kong captain James Cunningham said they hope to recover from Germany defeat with victory against Kenya. “I am obviously really disappointed, we played some good rugby against Germany but when it mattered we didn’t complete. We can’t keep dwelling on this game, we have got to work hard for these next two games and see what happens with the other results,” said Cunningham.
Simbas Squad
1- Patrick Ouko 2- Colman Were 3- Joseph Odero 4- Wilson K’opondo (C) 5- Malcolm Onsando 6- Andrew Amonde 7- Elkeans Musonye 8- Joshua Chisanga 9- Felix Ayange 10- Sammy Oliech 11- Willy Ambaka 12- Leo Seje Owade 13- Collins Injera 14- Nelson Oyoo 15- Tony Onyango
Reserves: 16- Philip Ikambili 17- Ephraim Oduor 18- Hilary Mwanjilwa 19- George Nyambua 20- Martin Owilah 21- Samson Onsomu 22- William Reeve 23- Dalmus Chituyi
