Kenya, Hong Kong ,Portugal and USA will compete for a slot in the 2023 Rugby World Cup
Simbas Head Coach Paul Odera has named a strong squad of 31 players to represent Kenya in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final qualification round (Repechage) set for Dubai from 6th to 18th November. The team travels to Dubai on 1st November.
Odera has kept his faith with players who did duty in the Currie Cup and Rugby Africa Cup in France and introduced new faces in Amon Wamalwa and Joshua Weru.
The squad is a mix of young and old blood. Darwin Mukidza is the oldest at 34 years old while Joshua Weru is the youngest having just turn 19 years old this year.
According to KRU, Dominic Coulson and Andrew Matoka are missing due to academic commitments, Collins Injera and Davis Chenge due to work commitments, Jone Kubu and Derrick Ashihundu miss out from the tournament due to injuries while Vincent Onyala is currently working with the Kenya Sevens team preparing for the 2022/2023 season.
On his young inclusions into the team, Coach Paul Odera told KRU Website:
“Amon was with us when we were coaching the U20s. We have tracked his progress and development over the last two years and we were pleased when his health was restored. He is young and has a lot of potential. He does not let errors affect how he plays and embraces uncertainty very well,” he said.
“Joshua Weru has played rugby since the age of 6 and he has been exposed to good coaching at every stage of his rugby development. A really exciting prospect with very little fear in him and the willingness to work hard. His ball carrying ability and how he conducts himself is of much older player. He also has the right subtle skills to make a difference on attack and defense” he added.
The Repechage is a final Qualification Tournament for Rugby World Cup 2023 to be played in a round-robin format over three match days. The top team on points will qualify. Kenya (Africa 2) ,Hong Kong (Asia/Pacific 2), Portugal (Europe 3), and USA (Americas 3) will compete for the slot.
Kenya Simbas Squad to the RWC Repechage
1.Patrick Ouko,2 Edward Mwaura, 3. Andrew Peter, 4. Eugene Sifuna, 5. Brian Waraba, 6. Teddy Akala, 7. Ephraim Oduor, 8. Joseph Odero, 9. Thomas Okeyo, 10. Brian Otieno, 11. Malcolm Onsando, 12. Clinton Odhiambo, 13. George Nyambua, 14. Daniel Sikuta – Captain, 15. Martin Owilah, 16. Bethwel Anami, 17. Joshua Weru*, 18. Samuel Asati, 19. Brian Tanga, 20. Samson Onsomu, 21. Geoffrey Ominde, 22. Amon Wamalwa*, 23. Jacob Ojee, 24. Timothy Omela, 25. John Okoth, 26. Geoffrey Okwach, 27. Peter Kilonzo, 28. Bryceson Adaka, 29. Beldad Ogeta, 30. Darwin Mukidza, 31. Ian Masheti