Kenya call Sevens stars for Repechage

Canada are not the only team looking towards their sevens program to boost their XV-a-side chances for the upcoming World Cup Repechage tournament. Having already drafted in powerhouse winger Willy Ambaka during the Rugby Africa Gold Cup, Kenya have summoned further reinforcements from their Senior Men’s Sevens side to XVs training.

Head coach Ian Snook named a 33-man training group last week to begin preparations for the all-important qualifiers. Former captain Wilson Kopondo is back from injury to bolster the second row and long-time Sevens playmaker Biko Adema is named as a utility back. Dynamic No8 Josh Chisanga, who spent two years under contract with Newcastle Falcons, was not named having recently returned from a stint in Portugal but it being closely monitored by staff and could yet make the final squad.

Added to the training group this week are current Sevens standouts Andrew Amonde, Dennis Ombachi, Samuel Oliech, and Nelson Oyoo. Amonde is the most notable, having captained the Simbas to their first ever HSBC Sevens Series Cup win at Singapore in 2016. A flanker in XVs, he could be an x-factor in a group that already includes Gold Cup standouts George Nyambua and current captain Davis Chenge.

Oliech succeeded Adema as the first choice kicker in the Kenya Sevens side and joins the group as a flyhalf. The hard-running Ombachi could be seen in the midfield or on the wing, while Oyoo is an out-and-out winger with searing pace.

Meanwhile Kenya have secured a friendly against Namibia to be played on October 28 at the RFUEA Ground in Nairobi. The KRU is in negotiations to play Portugal the following weekend at a neutral venue in France. Matches against South African provincial sides could also be added in October.

The Simbas will open the three-match Repechage round-robin against Canada on November 11, followed by tests against Hong Kong on November 17 and finally Germany on November 23. Only the top team from the tournament will advance to the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

 

KENYA REPECHAGE TRAINING SQUAD

PROP: Moses Amusala (KCB), Hillary Mwanjilwa (Kabras), Joseph Odero (Kabras), Ephraim Oduor (Kabras), Thomas Okidia (Homeboyz), Patrick Ouko (Homeboyz)

HOOKER: Philip Ikambili (Homeboyz), Peter Karia (KCB), Colman Were (Kabras)

SECOND ROW: Andrew Chogo (Kabras), Wilson Kopondo (Harlequin), Oliver Mang’eni (KCB), Malcolm Onsando (Harlequin)

BACK ROW: Andrew Amonde (KCB), Davis Chenge (capt., KCB), Dalmus Chituyi (Homeboyz), Elkeans Musonye (Strathmore Leos), George Nyambua (Kabras), Martin Owilah (KCB)

SCRUMHALF: Xavier Bett (Impala), Mohamed Omollo (Homeboyz), Samson Onsomu (Impala)

FLYHALF: Biko Adema (Nondescripts), Darwin Mukidza (KCB), Elvis Namusasi (Mombasa), Samuel Oliech (Impala)

CENTER: Felix Ayange (Kabras), Maxwell Kang’eri (Homeboyz), Peter Kilonzo (KCB), Zedden Marrow (Homeboyz), Leo Seje (Impala)

OUTSIDE BACKS: Willy Ambaka (Harlequin), Vincent Mose (Impala), Jacob Ojee (KCB), Dennis Ombachi (Nondescripts), Tony Onyango (Homeboyz), Nelson Oyoo (Nakuru)