All set for World Rugby U20 trophy final showdown

Following three days of pulsating rugby action, the curtains of the World Rugby U20 Trophy are set to roll down on Sunday, July 30, when one team will secure a coveted spot in the 2024 World Rugby U20 Championship.

Spain and Uruguay are gearing up for a tough battle when they lock horns in the finals of the World Rugby U20 Trophy, penciled for the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday, July 30.

Spain's run

The Spaniards only conceded 28 points in their three Pool B matches.

The 2016 finalists kicked off their Pool B campaign with a 53-0 win over Hong Kong, China, before hitting Samoa 28-10. They would then see off Kenya 48-18 to finish their pool matches on a high. 3/3 wins saw them top the pool to qualify for the finals.

Uruguay's run

Uruguay, the 2008 Junior World Rugby Trophy champions, finished top of their pool following wins over Scotland [37-26], Zimbabwe [51-14], and the USA [33-31].

The U20 Trophy veterans, who are in their 12th outing in the second-tier competition, will be keen to replicate the 2008 generation's greatness.

Third-place playoff: Scotland vs. Samoa

Scotland are gearing up for an uphill task when they take on Samoa in the third-place play-off at 12 p.m.

Both teams have won two of their three matches in the run-up to the finals. They both missed out on a trophy shot after suffering defeats in their last outing.

The Scots have been looking for an immediate return to the Championship following their relegation in 2019, the last tournament before the pandemic.

According to Scotland coach Kenny Murray, they will be seeking to claim third place as they aim higher in upcoming tournaments.

"We want to finish third; that is a no-brainer. We have been working hard over the past couple of days to pick the guys back up and get them back on track," Murray offered.

The coach will be enjoying the services of Selkirk-based Macphail Scholarship winner Monroe Job, who will make his debut in the back row after spending the past year in Stellenbosch.

Samoa coach Rudolf Moors, meanwhile, has made four changes to his side's starting line-up and three more in the dangerous back line. The squad will be keen to avenge their midweek loss to finalists Spain, which marked their first defeat in the U20 Trophy.

Fifth-place playoff: Kenya vs. Zimbabwe

This will be an all-African affair when Kenya Chipu take on Zimbabwe's Junior Sables in the fifth-place playoff match. The two sides are meeting again exactly three months after their last meeting on April 30 during the U20 Barthes Cup played at the same venue. Chipu will be seeking revenge against the team that denied them victory in the Barthes Trophy final earlier in April.

The Junior Sables won that match 28-7 to retain the title. Kenya will be looking forward to the rematch, bolstered by the noisy home support.

Chipu's journey in the tournament has been a rollercoaster of emotions, beginning with a narrow 34-25 defeat against Samoa in the opening match.

Chipu then put up a valiant fight against Spain, trailing by only two points at halftime before succumbing to a 48-18 loss.

Despite the challenges, the team rallied back with determination, securing a hard-fought 22-16 victory over Hong Kong to earn them a respectable third-place finish in Pool B under the guidance of Curtis Olago.

Raphael Wanga returns to partner skipper Michael Wamalwa at midfield, while Faran Juma moves from fullback to halfback. James Olela swaps the wing for fullback. Eddy Wambugu drops to the bench, while Zephenes Obwanga starts on the bench instead of Brian Mwendwa.

Their opponents, Zimbabwe, are not only bolstered by their U20 Barthes Cup status but also a 38-37 win over the USA to exit the pool stages on a high.

Pride is at stake for Hong Kong and the USA.

Two other countries looking to close their U20 campaign on a high are the USA and Hong Kong, which both head into the seventh-place playoff without tasting a win in their pool stages.

Sasha Mutai's rallying call

Kenya Rugby Union Chairman Alexander Sasha Mutai has called on Kenyans to flock to the stadium come Sunday and rally behind Chipu.

Mutai emphasized the significance of this match, stating, "The match will not only determine Kenya Rugby’s new position in the continent but also impact their global standing. The support of the home crowd is paramount in elevating the team's morale and drive to achieve success on the international stage."

The event will also be graced by Tendai 'Beast' Mtawarira, the 2019 Rugby World Cup winner and UNICEF Regional Ambassador, as the chief guest, who will undoubtedly inspire the young players to dream big and excel in global tournaments, besides adding more glamour to the Grand Finale.

The Beast will be accompanied by Herbert Mensah, the recently elected Rugby Africa President, who will accompany him to further solidify the significance of this event in Kenya's rugby landscape.

The KRU is encouraging everyone to take advantage of the subsidized Sh100 advanced ticket sales drive, available until Saturday midnight.

This initiative aims to make the game accessible to a broader audience and foster a vibrant atmosphere of support for Chipu.

An electric afterparty awaits.

Fans can look forward to an afterparty atmosphere like no other. They will be entertained by Kenya's very own Wakadinali, Fathermoh, Trio Mio, and Emma Jalamo, among others.

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