Match Preview – Kenya vs Chile

The Regal Hotels Cup of Nations gets underway in just a few short hours at King’s Park in Hong Kong where Chile will open their historic November international series against Kenya on Friday. While they have faced off at age-grade level and on the HSBC Sevens Series, this will be the first official test between the two developing nations.

Kenya have had a busy year already with nine matches played, winning four and drawing two. Their last fixture was against Hong Kong at the end of August, where the Simbas were defeated by their visitors by 43-34 in Nairobi. Despite the result they have opted to play a very similar side, making only four changes to the starting lineup.

Oliver Mang’eni replaces Simon Muniafu at lock while George Nyambua comes in on the flank with Eric Kerre dropped to the bench. Nato Simiyu is recalled at flyhalf in place of Isaac Adimo, and the powerful figure of David Ambunya is at outside centre with Peter Kilonzo among the reserves.

Veteran second row Wilson Kopondo continues as captain with former Newcastle Falcons loose forward Joshua Chisanga a destructive ball carrier at No 8. Darwin Mukidza is a goal kicking option on the wing and fullback Tony Onyango is one of five backs with HSBC Sevens Series experience.

Los Cóndores have picked their strongest available side to meet the challenge. Claudio Zamorano is recalled at loosehead prop with Tomás Dussaillant set to stake his claim for the starting hooker role. Nikola Bursic is named in the second row with a mobile loose forward trio in Javier Richard, Anton Petrowitch, and former captain Benjamín Soto.

There is one new cap in the run-on side with 19-year-old Santiago Videla named at flyhalf. He will have experience alongside with Francisco de la Fuente and new captain José Ignacio Larenas partnered in the midfield. Five players are set to make their test debuts should they be called upon from the bench; hooker Ignacio Guajardo, tighthead prop Marco Díaz, second row Bastián Burguener, midfielder Javier Lavanderos, and outside back Matías Balbontín.

Kickoff is set for 5pm local time, 6am Chile time, 4am Eastern. A live stream will be available on the Hong Kong Rugby Facebook page.

KENYA
1 Moses Amusala, 2 Peter Karia, 3 Curtis Lilako, 4 Wilson Kopondo (capt.), 5 Oliver Mang’eni, 6 George Nyambua, 7 Davis Chenge, 8 Joshua Chisanga, 9 Samson Onsomu, 10 Nato Simiyu, 11 Jacob Ojee, 12 Leo Seje, 13 David Ambunya, 14 Darwin Mukidza, 15 Tony Onyango

Replacements: 16 Philip Ikambili, 17 Oscar Simiyu, 18 Dennis Karani, 19 Eric Kerre, 20 Lyle Asiligwa, 21 Biko Adema, 22 Peter Kilonzo, 23 Vincent Mose

CHILE
1 Claudio Zamorano, 2 Tomás Dussaillant, 3 José Tomás Munita, 4 Mario Mayol, 5 Nikola Bursic, 6 Javier Richard, 7 Anton Petrowitsch, 8 Benjamín Soto, 9 Sergio Bascuñan, 10 Santiago Videla, 11 Franco Velarde, 12 Francisco de la Fuente, 13 José Ignacio Larenas (capt.), 14 Mauricio Urrutia, 15 Tomás Ianiszewski

Replacements: 16 Ignacio Guajardo, 17 Vittorio Lastra, 18 Marco Díaz, 19 Bastián Burguener, 20 Manuel Dagnino, 21 Juan Pablo Perrotta, 22 Matías Balbontín, 23 Javier Lavanderos

Date: Friday, November 10
Venue: King’s Park, Hong Kong
Kickoff: 17:00 local (04:00 Eastern, 06:00 Chile)
Referee: Maxime Burlet (FBRB)
Assistants: Stephen Copeman (HKRFU) & Patrick Kwok (HKRFU)
TMO: Peter White (HKRFU)
Broadcasts: Facebook Stream