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Kenya is lining up test against Brazil, Germany, Romania and the USA. Invitations have been sent out from the Kenya Rugby Union to all four unions.
The desired fixtures are to be an important building-block as Kenya looks to qualify for a first-ever Rugby World Cup. Having narrowly missed out on doing so for England 2015, Kenya seeks to qualify as Africa 1 for Japan 2015.
Kenya played a test match in June against Brazil and recently played two tests against Hong Kong. The Africans came away with three wins from as many matches.
Against African opposition in 2016 Kenya was too strong for Zimbabwe, winning 61-15 in Harare. Of note is that Zimbabwe played at Rugby World Cups 1987 and 1991. Kenya also defeated Uganda 45-24.
In the abbreviated version of rugby the Kenyans competed in the 2016 Olympic Games. While the results were not as they had been aiming for Kenya made history, winning the Singapore Sevens in April.
In 2017 Brazil’s one confirmed June International is against the Cook Islands. Os Tupis will host the Pacific Islanders on June 24. The Cook Islands are to also play a test in Mexico.
An additional match or matches against Brazil would further boost Kenyan rugby. The African country has heavily been concentrated in international rugby. Kenya’s only test matches against countries from outside of Africa have been against the Arabian Gulf (4), Brazil (2), Hong Kong (2), Portugal (1), Spain (1) and the United Arab Emirates (1).
None of Germany, Romania and the USA have faced Kenya. If the Kenya Rugby Union receives positive feedback this will likely change in 2017.
