Late changes for Simbas ahead of final Hong Kong clash

There are late changes to the men’s national rugby 15s side Kenya Simbas ahead of Friday’s final Rugby Word Cup 2023 Final Qualification Tournament fixture against Hong Kong at The Sevens Stadium in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Brian Juma slots into the starting fifteen, linking up with captain Malcolm Onsando in the second row. Juma had initially been sent off during the match day two fixture against Portugal but was cleared to play following an independent judicial committee hearing on Wednesday 16 November.

Clinton Odhiambo, initially named in the second row, drops to the bench while Thomas Okeyo has been rested and does not feature in the match day squad. A late training ground injury to Peter Kilonzo sees him replaced by Timothy Omela on the bench.

Simbas are already out of contention for a place to next year's global championship but coach Paul Odera says they need to muster all the courage to go out and fight for a win.

“It has been tough to pick the players up after the Portuguese score but we have tried to get it to the boys that we need to finish with some pride and dignity and see how we want to be remembered from this repechage.

Obviously, it will be historical if we can get a win because no African team has won a game at the repechage in the past," Odera offered.

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Simbas squad

15.Darwin Mukidza, 14. Jacob Ojee, 13. Bryceson Adaka, 12. John Okoth, 11. Brian Tanga, 10. Geoffrey Ominde, 9. Samuel Asati, 1. Patrick Ouko, 2. Eugene Sifuna, 3. Ephraim Oduor, 4. Malcolm Onsando (captain), 5. Brian Juma, 6. George Nyambua, 7. Martin Owilah, 8. Bethuel Anami

REPLACEMENTS

16. Brian Waraba (potential debut), 17. Andrew Siminyu, 18. Joseph Odero, 19. Clinton Odhiambo, 20. Joshua Weru, 21. Samson Onsomu, 22. Timothy Omela, 23. Geoffrey Okwach

Simbas Results

Kenya 14-68 USA

Kenya 0-85 Porugal

Kenya vs Hong Kong – Friday 18 November