Kenya Simbas Head Coach Paul Odera has named a 31-man squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup final qualification round in Dubai from 6th to 18th November.
The squad has retained the majority of players that were part of the Currie Cup and Rugby Africa Cup. There are two players who are set for their Simbas senior debut. They include Amon Wamalwa and former Kenya Under 20 star Joshua Weru.
Peter Kilonzo, Beldad Ogeta, Ian Masheti, Sam Onsumu, Geoffrey Ominde, Clinton Odhiambo, and Timothy Omela who missed the Rugby Africa Cup in July have made the cut this time round.
The simbas will miss the services of Collins Injera, Davis Chenge who are out due to work commitments while Dominic Coulson and Andrew Matoka have school commitments. Kabras duo Derrick Ashihundu and Jone Kubu are out injured.
The 31 are currently having their final camp at Pembroke House School in Gilgil to get the team in the right frame of mind.
Coach Odera said: “This camp will also assist us to tweak a few areas of our play and get our overseas players to train with the team together after a number of months away.”
World Rugby unveiled the match schedule for the Final Qualification Tournament that will determine the 20th and final qualifier for Rugby World Cup 2023 in France.
Played over three match days from 6-18 November at the Sevens Stadium in Dubai, the Final Qualification Tournament for RWC 2023 in France will feature four teams from four different continents. Hong Kong, Kenya, Portugal and USA will face each other in a round-robin format with the team accruing the most competition points securing the last spot at France 2023.
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The World Rugby Men’s Rankings powered by Capgemini as of 31 July, 2022 have been used to determine the decisive tournament’s match schedule.
On the opening day, USA (ranked 19th) will face Kenya Simbas (33rd) while Portugal (20th) play against Hong Kong (22nd). The third and final match day will see the two highest-ranked teams USA and Portugal face each other to conclude the qualification process for next year’s Rugby World Cup.
The eventual winner and final team to join the Rugby World Cup 2023 adventure will take their place in Pool C alongside Wales, Australia, Fiji and Georgia.
Kenya Simbas Squad to the RWC Repechage
1.Patrick Ouko,2 Edward Mwaura, 3. Andrew Peter, 4. Eugene Sifuna, 5. Brian Waraba, 6. Teddy Akala, 7. Ephraim Oduor, 8. Joseph Odero, 9. Thomas Okeyo, 10. Brian Otieno, 11. Malcolm Onsando, 12. Clinton Odhiambo, 13. George Nyambua, 14. Daniel Sikuta – Captain, 15. Martin Owilah, 16. Bethwel Anami, 17. Joshua Weru*, 18. Samuel Asati, 19. Brian Tanga, 20. Samson Onsomu, 21. Geoffrey Ominde, 22. Amon Wamalwa*, 23. Jacob Ojee, 24. Timothy Omela, 25. John Okoth, 26. Geoffrey Okwach, 27. Peter Kilonzo, 28. Bryceson Adaka, 29. Beldad Ogeta, 30. Darwin Mukidza, 31. Ian Masheti
