Rugby in Kenya

• Weekly Ramble

  Posted: July 29, 2011, 4:04 pm by DataMiner

  Late, as usual, but here all the same. About a year ago I did a post and was full of praise for our fifteens team, you can find that here. I even went as far as calling them the "best Kenyan Rugby Team ever" and was fully convinced. We attained our highest IRB ranking ever and it looked like we were set to go places. The KRU board then I believe felt the same, but did not know what we needed

  
  

• Kearney back for the Irish

  Posted: July 28, 2011, 6:23 pm by guestblogger

  Full-back Rob Kearney is looking to put his disappointing season behind him and earn a spot in Declan Kidney's World Cup squad in September. The 25-year-old missed the final eight months of the season after suffering a knee injury during last year's autumn international against the All Blacks. The damaged cartilage sustained by Kearney forced the Leinster man to undergo surgery, which resulted in

  
  

• Senior looks for Wildcats move

  Posted: July 27, 2011, 10:31 pm by guestblogger

  Keith Senior has revealed he would consider a move to the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats following the collapse of his proposed move to the Crusaders.Senior has played for the Leeds Rhinos for the last 12 years but after suffering a serious knee injury, revealed he had not been offered a new deal by the Rhinos and would me moving on. This saw the Welsh franchise snap him up and it appeared the centre

  
  

• Stevens edges closer to completing full circle

  Posted: July 26, 2011, 5:47 pm by guestblogger

  England prop Matt Stevens is close to completing full circle from international rugby player, to outcast in the wilderness for two years and back again. The 28-year-old is part of Martin Johnson's World Cup preliminary squad for this autumn's tournament, with the Saracens man widely expected to be among the 30-players named to represent England in New Zealand starting in September. After

  
  

• Victoria Cup Update: Kenya 20 Zimbabwe 26

  Posted: July 23, 2011, 9:40 pm by ruggerbug

  Played very hard and could have pulled this one out. However, it was not to be and we wind up runners' up in the Victoria Cup.

  
  

• Two more KRU board members face the axe

  Posted: July 22, 2011, 11:34 pm by The Real KRFU

  Thanks Eric....The purge at the Kenya Rugby Union is not complete. Two more top KRU top brass are facing imminent suspension and the sack.It can be exclusively reported that it is only a matter of time before vice chairman Fred Odhiambo and Henry Emuye are suspended.The two maybe ‘offloaded’ at a planned KRU Special general Meeting. Their departure will complete the removal of former KRU top

  
  

• Scotland 7's contract players for IRB HSBC Sevens 2011/2012

  Posted: July 22, 2011, 5:14 pm by Back2Besics

  Twelve players are named today in the new full-time Scotland sevens squad. They will compete at international level in the forthcoming season’s HSBC Sevens World Series.The announcement underlines Scottish Rugby’s desire to best prepare for the series and a successful medal challenge for the Scotland 7s squad at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.Today’s news was also welcomed by the

  
  

• Weekend Games

  Posted: July 22, 2011, 4:00 pm by DataMiner

  The big one, Kenya vs. Zimbabwe at Nyayo National Stadium. I will simply wish the team well as I have long given up on whether we are progressing, regressing or have stagnated. Perennial selection to resolve issues does not wash for me and I do not think we will have the mettle to unsettle Zimbabwe. If our vision is 2015, we need to change our focus like Zimbabwe. How strong is our junior

  
  

• Squad to Face Zimbabwe at Nyayo Stadium Named

  Posted: July 21, 2011, 9:55 pm by DataMiner

  The Squad is as follows.1. Joel Ng’ang’a2. Vincent Ong’era3. Daniel Kiptoo4. Martin Likami5. Ronnie Mwenesi6. Anthony Mutai7. Andrew Amonde8. Lawrence Buyachi9. Peter Mutai10. Issac Adimo11. Peter Abuoga12. Patrice Agunda13. Kelvin Omiyo14, Victor Sudi (C)15.Vincent Mose16. Dennis Abenga17. Dennis Karani18. Victor Oduor19. David Mogere20. Edwin Achayo21. Nato Simiyu22. Allan Omuka

  
  

• Hoeata to take All Blacks bow

  Posted: July 21, 2011, 7:28 pm by guestblogger

  The All Blacks have handed a debut to Highlanders' lock Jarrad Hoeata for the one-off test with Fiji in Dunedin on Friday.The former sevens star will be joined in the engine room by veteran Ali Williams who starts his first game for the side since November 2008 and both will be looking to establish themselves in the side ahead of the team's Tri-Nations opener against South Africa in Wellington on

  
  

• Kenya Rugby Circus: Maiko and Myke

  Posted: July 21, 2011, 4:29 pm by Back2Besics

  Michael 'Maiko' Muthee and Michael 'Myke' Rabar are running the Kenya Rugby to the dogs. In the 3 months that these two gentlemen came into elected office office they have succussfully managed to undo what has painfully taken many many years to build in the game. The mantra that seems to be running the game of rugby known and sucessfully adopted by the current office is CONFLICT OF INTEREST.

  
  

• Giteau still has 'big part'

  Posted: July 20, 2011, 5:54 pm by guestblogger

  Matt Giteau still has a "big part to play" in the Australia squad, according to coach Roobe Deans, despite being dropped for the Tri-Nations opener against South Africa.The fly-half was part of the Wallbies team that suffered a shock 32-23 defeat to Samoa and he has paid the price ahead of the clash with the Springboks. Those looking at the rugby betting will be wondering if the side can bounce

  
  

• Samoans stun Wallabies

  Posted: July 19, 2011, 9:45 pm by guestblogger

  Samoa caused quite a stir amongst the world of rugby as they recorded an unlikely victory against two-time World Cup winners Australia on Sunday. A victory in itself would not have been so surprising, Samoa along with a number of other Pacific Island sides have gained a great deal of credibility over the last decade, but the relatively comfortable 32-23 score-line will have shocked the majority

  
  

• Weekly Ramble

  Posted: July 19, 2011, 4:29 pm by DataMiner

  Come early this time. Too much excitement in me. I sang and sang and got tired. Maybe someone somewhere was listening silently. You can get a choice of my two year old posts here and my past Ramble specifically on grounds here. Whether personal reasons, or gain, it was the most logical thing to do. Given the past excuses that I heard, about revenue sharing, insecurity, distance from core

  
  

• A raw take of just a fan.

  Posted: July 18, 2011, 8:03 pm by Just a Fan

  Match Score Ug 32 Kenya 18Coaching Score Uganda 100 Kenya 0Another game with sufficient evidence of the technical inability of our coaches to analyze past matches, identify weaknesses, device apt training strategies to cure the defects and maximize identified strengths. Transform strategies into playing patterns on match day. I do not gauge successful coaching by wins alone, but more so on

  
  

• Elgon Cup Update: Kenya 18 Uganda 32

  Posted: July 16, 2011, 10:55 pm by ruggerbug

  On the receiving end of the second half onslaught this time but haddone enough to retain the Elgon Cup.P

  
  

• Sabwa tossed out of KRFU

  Posted: July 15, 2011, 6:19 am by Back2Besics

  The chairman strikes again and this time it is none other than KRFU secretary-general Frank Sabwa who has been relieved of his duties. The langata born and bred 'Franco' as so aptly described by Fred Ollows was found guilty of fraud, insurbodination and sabotage. He joins another ex Mean Machine comrade on the sidelines of Kenya Rugby administration. It happened in Machine, Barclays and Kenya XV

  
  

• Versatility the key for Priestland

  Posted: July 13, 2011, 5:33 pm by guestblogger

  Scarlets youngster Ryhs Priestland hopes versatility will be the deciding factor which earns him a spot in the Welsh squad for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.The 24-year old has made his name at fly-half, but Stephen Jones' presence in the national side has often resulted in Priestland dropping to full-back. Indeed, he made his international debut for Wales wearing the number 15 shirt, coming off the

  
  

• Weekly Ramble

  Posted: July 13, 2011, 4:01 pm by DataMiner

  I don't have the heart to do this much more. Should look for another blog to write on. Then it won't matter whether I make sense or not. Four years down the line and turning to the ramblings of a deranged blogger! Or maybe if I repeat myself long enough, I'll make sense to someone other than myself.Someone said the only constant in life is change. However, perhaps they did not realise how

  
  

• Kenya vs Uganda. A fans view

  Posted: July 11, 2011, 12:14 am by Just a Fan

  The scores last week did not reflect the game. The scores at half time should have read 28-3 to Ug setting a perfect platform to kill the game in the second half. They should kick themselves in the gut for knocking on and losing momentum when it mattered. Their forwards were well drilled and carried their weight effortlessly around the park while breaking the gain line at will. Their rucks were,

  
  

• Elgon Cup - First Leg

  Posted: July 11, 2011, 8:24 pm by DataMiner

  Don't know whether to call it a balanced affair or a one way demolition. Suffice to say a good result with enough doubt lingering on our minds after the game. Opens out the Victoria Cup slightly with a mouth watering clash set for the return leg of the Elgon Cup in Kampala. Good summary courtesy of NTV below.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJ3xdJTeAJg

  
  

• Kenya 27 Uganda 10 - Elgon Cup first round.

  Posted: July 9, 2011, 11:04 pm by Back2Besics

  Just managed to get to Nakumatt Prestige to post this.......Kenya beat Uganda 27 - 10 in the first round clash of the Elgon Cup in Nairobi. The match also doubled up as part of the Tri Nations Victoria Cup. Scorers for KenyaTries : Tony Mutai, Nato Simiyu, Brian Okwomi, Ronnie MwenesiConversion : Peter Abuoga (2)Penalty : Vincent MoseGo Kenya Go. Now Kayumbet.

  
  

• Weekend Games

  Posted: July 8, 2011, 3:50 pm by DataMiner

  Cum Weekly Ramble. A Rugby bonanza for all tomorrow as there is a full day of rugby at the RFUEA grounds from early morning. The highlight will be the senior mens and women's teams taking on their rivals from across the border in the Elgon Cup duel. I'm not really in touch with the schools activities but the Prescott semi final pairings did look very interesting.The senior men's side? Are we

• Kenya Squad to face Uganda Named.

  Posted: July 7, 2011, 7:18 pm by DataMiner

  The team is as follows.1. Joel Ng'ang'a (UAP Rhinos)2. Vincent Ongera (UAP Rhinos)3. Moses Amusala (Lions)4. Anthony Mutai (UAP Rhinos)5. Ronnie Mwenesi (Lions)6. Andrew Amonde (Mumias Sugar Buffaloes)7. David Mogere (UAP Rhinos)8.Duncan Ekasi (SDV Transami Cheetahs)9. Edwin Achayo (UAP Rhinos)10. Nato Simiyu (SDV Transami Cheetahs)11. Peter Abuoga (UAP Rhinos) 12. Patrice Agunda (UAP Rhinos)13.

• The Michael Mwangi Muthee show continues

  Posted: July 5, 2011, 11:52 pm by Back2Besics

  There's a new honcho in town and sweeps thoroughly. Michael Mwangi Muthee is making his mark as Chairman and his broom is bringing change to Kenya Rugby. Whether the change is positive or not nobody knows but Mwangi's gung ho methods are rubbing many people the wrong way and raising eyebrows. Gone Auka, Benja, Tottie and Newton. Who next? Certainly Kenya 15's management are in the radar and their

• Young seeks brighter future

  Posted: July 5, 2011, 7:42 pm by guestblogger

  Dai Young has made it clear he is looking to lead Wasps back into the big time after deciding to take the role as the London club's new director of rugby. The Welshman has joined the Premiership side after spending nine years in charge of the Cardiff Blues. The challenge will now be on the new boss to return silverware to Adams Park, following a disappointing few seasons. After spending five

• Youngs makes risky pre-World Cup move

  Posted: July 4, 2011, 9:33 pm by guestblogger

  Ben Youngs has definitely taken a risk undergoing knee surgery only a couple of months before the Rugby World Cup, as even if he does return fit he will have missed a huge chunk of England's preparations. The Leicester scrum half has had keyhole surgery to get cartilage trimmed from his left knee, but he is hoping this planned trip under the knife will not put his World Cup participation in doubt

• Weekend Games

  Posted: July 1, 2011, 7:06 pm by DataMiner

  Not much going on, but the Homeboyz One Night Stand event, for the second year running. Interesting what being a member of the board can do. Last year's event had zilch union support and was fought to the last minute. This year's... even media releases from the KRU office! A case of inside influence, or the requisite "stamp duty" having been paid? And on that side note, is it slowly coming

• Robinson finalises World Cup plan

  Posted: July 1, 2011, 4:12 pm by guestblogger

  With the Rugby World Cup edging closer and closer, Scotland coach Andy Robinson has revealed that he knows 25 of the 30 players who will make up his squad for New Zealand.This means there are 14 players from the preliminary squad fighting it out for the final five places and they will get the chance to impress in August with two warm-up tests.Speaking about Scotland’s preparations, Robinson said:

Blah blah blah

Fish cakes

Alas a fish cake.

Yet more fish cakes

Guess what ... yeah ... fish cakes.

The end of the fish cakes