Match Preview – Kenya vs Germany

With both teams knocked out of World Cup contention Kenya and Germany will square off in their final match of the Repechage competition on Friday. While both would have wanted more out of their efforts they will each take something from the process. It might also be the end for their respective head coaches with Ian Snook and Mike Ford both out of contract.

Kenya have made five changes to the team that were well beaten by Hong Kong, one enforced. Philip Ikambili replaces the injured Colman Were at hooker and George Nyambua starts on the blindside flank in place of Andrew Amonde. Only two specialist front row reserves are named on the bench with Josh Chisanga possible emergency cover having trained at prop during his time at Newcastle Falcons.

Samson Onsomu is restored at scrumhalf with Felix Ayange swapped to the bench. Peter Kilonzo is given his first start of the competition in place of Collins Injera at outside center, and goal kicker Darwin Mukidza is recalled on the wing. A conventional 5-3 split among the replacements sees Injera included along with William Reeve.

Germany also show five changes, with three of the pack that came second-best to Canada relegated to the bench. Jorn Schröder and Matthias Schösser are the new props with Ayron Schramm named at the back of the scrum. It’s the first start for all three in the competition.

Hagen Schulte is deemed fit enough to start at inside center with Jamie Murphy out altogether, and Steffen Liebig is named on the wing having joined the team as an injury call-up for Mathieu Ducau. One further change comes on the bench where flanker Marcel Henn is added as extra forward cover.

Given the results of the first two rounds the easy prediction is that Germany will win. In fact there’s an argument to be made that – props aside – this is the strongest lineup the Schwarze Adler have put out with the full return of Schulte and Liebig from injury.

The weather forecast reads rain and with Germany’s strong kicking game and powerful scrum this sounds like a recipe for trouble as far as Kenya is concerned. Look for the favorites to close out their tournament with a convincing win against the struggling Simbas.

Kickoff is set for 6pm local time, noon Eastern. Those in Canada can watch on TSN Go, with NBC Sports Gold holding the rights for the USA. Everyone else can access the live stream on World Rugby’s YouTube, Facebook, or Twitter accounts.

KENYA
1 Patrick Ouko, 2 Philip Ikambili, 3 Joseph Odero, 4 Wilson Kopondo (capt.), 5 Malcolm Onsando, 6 George Nyambua, 7 Elkeans Musonye, 8 Josh Chisanga, 9 Samson Onsomu, 10 Samuel Oliech, 11 Willy Ambaka, 12 Leo Seje, 13 Peter Kilonzo, 14 Darwin Mukidza, 15 Tony Onyango

Replacements: 16 Ephraim Oduor, 17 Moses Amusala, 18 Oliver Mang’eni, 19 Andrew Amonde, 20 Martin Owilah, 21 Felix Ayange, 22 Collins Injera, 23 William Reeve

GERMANY
1 Jörn Schröder, 2 Kurt Haupt, 3 Matthias Schösser, 4 Michael Poppmeier (capt.), 5 Eric Marks, 6 Sebastian Ferreira, 7 Jaco Otto, 8 Ayron Schramm, 9 Sean Armstrong, 10 Raynor Parkinson, 11 Marcel Coetzee, 12 Hagen Schulte, 13 Wynston Cameron-Dow, 14 Steffen Liebig, 15 Christopher Hilsenbeck

Replacements: 16 Dasch Barber, 17 Julius Nostadt, 18 Samy Füchsel, 19 Timo Vollenkemper, 20 Jarrid Els, 21 Tim Menzel, 22 Marcel Henn, 23 Harris Aounallah

Date: Friday, November 23
Kick-off: 18:00 local (09:00 Pacific, 12:00 Eastern)
Venue: Stade Pierre Delort, Marseille
Referee: Angus Gardner (ARU)
Assistants: George Clancy (IRFU) & Sara Cox (RFU)
TMO: David Grashoff (RFU)
Broadcasts: TSN Go, NBC Sports Gold, World Rugby