Manyatta June 2011 Issue

JUNE 2011 ISSUE

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KENYA RUGBY UNION NEWSLETTERMANYATTA

KenyaRugbyUnion

Contents:

Contributors:

* Michael Kwambo

Gishinga Njoroge

* KRU

*

*

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From the Chairman.Bamburi Rugby Super Series.Victoria Cup.Fifteens.Rugby 101

June ‘11 ISSUE

KenyaRugbyUnion

Contents

June ‘11 ISSUE

KenyaRugbyUnion

A RECAP OF THE 2011 BAMBURI RUGBY SUPER SERIES

By Michael Kwambo

Match Day One

Saturday 30th April 2011

The 2011 Bamburi Rugby Super Series kicked off on Saturday 30th April with four matches at four venues in

Kenya and Uganda. These opening weekend was characterized by big scores, recoveries and close results.

Big scores

The SDV Transami Cheetahs and the Lions were the beneficiaries of big scores, the Cheetahs pounding

Uganda's Rwenzori 49-0 to top Pool B while the Lions registered a 36-8 win over the Coastal Bulls in

Mombasa, a result that saw them lead Pool A.

Recoveries

Reigning champions UAP Rhinos almost threw away the lead against the Nguvu Sharks,allowing the Sharks

to recover from 7-24 to 17-24 in an exciting Pool A fixture. The Rhinos finally got their act together, racing off

with the 36-17 result.

Close results

The Mumias Sugar Buffaloes, whipping boys in 2010, acquitted themselves well in a difficult fixture away to

Victoria in Kampala, eventually going 16-5, a marked improvement by their standards.

At the end of match day one, it was the Lions and the SDV Transami Cheetahs leading Pool A and B

respectively.

Match Day Two

Saturday 7th May 2011

The clash of the weekend was definitely the Pool A tie between the Nguvu Sharks and the table topping

Lions. A win was essential for both sides and it was the Sharks who emerged victorious, rallying from 15-25

down to carry the day with a 32-25 win that significanlty boosted their chances of reaching the semis. The

Lions picked up two bonus points in this match for scoring four tries and losing by seven or less points. This,

coupled with the Rhinos 30-3 win over the Coastal Bulls in Mombasa meant that any three teams from the

Rhinos, Lions and Sharks were all in with a chance of making the semi finals.

The Cheetahs 18-14 win over Victoria all but booked them a semi final berth from Pool B while Rwenzori

rallied from 14-17 to end the Buffaloes title hopes with a 28-17 win in Mumias, a result that revived their

chances of making it to the semi finals.

Bamburi Super Series

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KenyaRugbyUnion

Bamburi Super Series

Match Day Three

Saturday 14th May 2011

There was all to play for, particularly in Pool A where the Rhinos,Lions and the Sharks were still in contention

for the two semi final slots. A combination of factors were to be considered ahead of kick off. If the Rhinos

lost to the Lions and failed to register a bonus point while the Sharks registered a bonus point win over the

Bulls, then the Lions and the Sharks would sail through to the semis. If the Rhinos beat the Lions and the

Sharks lost to the Bulls, then the Rhinos and the Lions would be sailing through to the semis. Now, if the

Rhinos beat the Lions and the Sharks beat the Bulls, the Rhinos and the Sharks would be going through to

the semis.

The Rhinos would eventually get the better of the Lions, winning 24-19 in a closely contested fixture at the

Afraha Stadium in Nakuru while the Sharks cruised to a 22-0 win over the Bulls in Mombasa. These victories

earned these two sides semi final qualification.

With matters in Pool B a bit straightforward, Rwenzori edged out local rivals Victoria 11-8 in Kampala to book

the other semi final slot while the already qualified Cheetahs consigned the Mumias Sugar Buffaloes to a

70-7 hiding at the RFUEA grounds.

The semi final stage was set. The UAP Rhinos would play Rwenzori while the SDV Transami Cheetahs

would play the Nguvu Sharks on Saturday 21st May 2011 at the RFUEA Grounds.

Match Day Four

Semi Finals

Saturday 21st May 2011

With the field narrowed down to four, the UAP Rhinos were matched up against the Ugandan side Rwenzori

in the day's early kick off at the RFUEA grounds. After a close first half that saw the Rhinos lead 14-7, a

dramatic collapse by the Ugandans saw them capitulate to a 38-7 defeat, a result that meant no Ugandan

side had ever reached the BRSS final since the country's debut in the tournament in 2009. For the Rhinos, it

was passage to a fifth successful BRSS final since 2007 and their sixth overall.

The SDV Transami Cheetahs pulled off a 22-7 win over the Nguvu Sharks, setting up a repeat final against

the Rhinos who had defeated them 25-5 in the 2011 final. This was the Cheetahs fifth overall appearance in

a BRSS final.

Match Day Five

Third Place Playoff

Saturday 4th June 2011

This may not have been the title match but there was plenty a stake, a third place finish and the match up

between Kenya's Nguvu Sharks and Uganda's Rwenzori set the stage for an exciting game of rugby.

June ‘11 ISSUE

KenyaRugbyUnion

Bamburi Super Series

Leading 14-7 at half time, the Ugandans would let their foot off the gas pedal, trailing 14-21 before late tries

from Andrew Olweny and Hector Gutaka saw them run off with the 26-21 result that saw them finish

third...the best performance by a Ugandan side since their BRSS debut back in 2009. Justine Kimono's early

on the day saw him run off with the top try scorers title with five tries...double joy for the Ugandans.

Final

UAP Rhinos make it three in a row

Edwin Makori's try in sudden death saw the UAP Rhinos retain the Bamburi Rugby Super Series title with a

20-15 win over a battling SDV Transami Cheetahs in a scintilating final played at the RFUEA Grounds on

Saturday 4th June 2011.

Vincent Mose kicked the Cheetahs into an early 6-0 lead with two penalties before the Rhinos finally found

their rhythm, pitching camp in their opponents 25. Naftali Bondo was played in by Isaac Adimo only to be

stopped agonizingly short of the try line. Their pressure finally bore fruit when Allan Omuka,celebrating his

birthday, went over for the first of his two tries. Adimo missed this conversion with the match finely poised, 6-

5 to the Cheetahs.Another Mose penalty saw the Cheetahs, winners in 2004 and 2006, take a 9-5 lead into

the interval.

The second half would remain a carbon copy of the first, a close encounter, neither side really getting a

foothold on the day's proceedings. Mose's fourth penalty saw the Cheetahs extend their lead to 12-5 and this

seemed to set the tone for a frenetic end to the match, both sides realizing what was at stake.

The Rhinos managed to retain their composure and discipline in the rucks and maul while the Cheetahs kept

knocking at their opponents door, seeking to make the game safe. Such was the intensity of the match that

Nick Lang'o had to stretchered off after colliding with the Cheetahs John Ahenda. An unconverted try from

Omuka reduced the deficit to 12-10 before scrum half Edwin Achayo gave the Rhinos the lead for the first

time in this match, Adimo missing the conversion with the scores at 15-12.

Nato Simiyu's forty yard break with two minutes of regulation play left saw the Cheetahs attack and win a

penalty off a Rhino's infringement that saw Wilson Kopondo sent to the sin bin.. Mose stepped up to send his

kick between the sticks, tying the game at 15-15 with the buzzer going off, signalling the end of regulation

time.

The tension in the air was palpable heading into extra. It was going to take something special to clinch this

tie and Makori served it up, grounding the ball to hand Rhinos a third successive BRSS title, which raises

their tally of titles to five.

This was a historic final for a number of reasons, the first final to be decided in sudden death extra, the

lowest scoring final in BRSS history and the final that saw a team win three straight titles. All in all, it was a

good indictment for Kenyan rugby.

Vincent Mose, whose fifteen points in the final saw him finish one point behind Adimo in the points scorers

chart was voted man of the match while Nick Lang'o claimed the man of the series award.

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KenyaRugbyUnion

Bamburi Super Series

BRSS Final Day Stats

Final

UAP Rhinos 20 SDV Transami Cheetahs 15

3rd Place Playoff

Rwenzori 26 Nguvu Sharks 21

Man of the Series

Nick Lang'o UAP Rhinos

Top Points Scorer

Isaac Adimo UAP Rhinos 43 points

Top Try Scorer

Justine Kimono Rwenzori 5 tries

Previous Rugby Super Series Final Results

2011: Rhinos 20 Cheetahs 15

2010: Rhinos 25 Cheetahs 5

2009: Rhinos 30 Buffaloes 13

2008: Lions 33 Rhinos 9

2007: Rhinos 28 Lions 20

2006:Cheetahs 29 Lions 27

2005: Buffaloes 27 Lions 25

2004:Cheetahs 32 Lions 22

2003: Rhinos 27 Cheetahs 11

Titles

Rhinos 5 (2003,2007,2009,2010,2011)

Cheetahs 2 (2004, 2006)

Lions 1 (2008)

Buffaloes 1(2005)

Most Decorated Players in BRSS History

Daniel Kiptoo, Vincent Ongera, Joel Nganga UAP Rhinos -(5 titles- 2003,2007,2009,2010,2011)

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KenyaRugbyUnion

The KRU General

Manager's post will, as

soon as possible, be

advertised for competitive

filling. Instructively,

Deloitte Touché is the

International Rugby

Board (IRB) advisors on

governance, we are

grateful to the Deloitte

Kenya office for the

invaluable assistance.

Governance changes at the KRU will continue being implemented

during the current off-season to enable a fresh start ahead of the

incoming 2011/2012 season.

The recent IRB Sevens World Series and our high profile Bamburi

Rugby Super Series competitions have drawn to their conclusions. It

was important to wait for the completion of those events before

embarking on the re-structuring exercise.

The new season, including the top draw Safaricom Sevens in

November, should find improved administrative practices and

procedures well in place.

Formation of Sub-Unions

Work has meanwhile started on the formation of the approved sub-

unions; namely, Western Kenya, Coast and Kenyan Universities. I am

glad to note that Mr. Oscar Oyowo, Chairman of the Sub-Committee for

the formation of the Western Kenya Union, has given an assurance that

the sub-union will be constituted and up-and-running in due course.

I would also like to point out that Western Kenya, Coast and the

University of Nairobi teams will take part in next season's Kenya Cup,

the country's top league competition.

Yours Sincerely

Mwangi Muthee

Chairman, Kenya Rugby Union

Development initiatives taking place at the

Kenya Rugby Union

Following satisfactory performances by a Kenya Select XV against the

thvisiting South African provincial side Mpumalanga on Wednesday 8

thJune 2011 and the Kenyan national team on Saturday 11 June 2011,

early signs are that the Kenya Rugby Union's efforts to revamp the

sport, both in performance and administration, are well founded and on

course.

Benefits of KRU's interaction with Mpumalanga

Immediate benefits of KRU's interaction with the Mpumalanga Pumas

have started being felt rolling in; and they include:

· The Pumas agreement to provide personnel to develop the

national team's “front five”. Our technically efficient visitors

have said they will offer assistance, on a continual basis, to

train our players in this key area.

· Three talented players, aged between 20 and 23, will be taken

under Mpumalanga's wings to play professional rugby in

South Africa. The Pumas will undertake to always release

them, and ONLY, for national duty.

Behind the scenes, the KRU's implementation of promised concrete

measures to change the way it has operated in the last few years is in

progress. This is geared towards bringing efficiency in the management

of the union with the key objective of raising the standards of Kenyan

rugby under the theme of “More Rugby, Quality Rugby”, with serious

focus on the players.

Administrative Changes

The KRU Board recently unanimously resolved to make administrative

changes at its secretariat. The incumbent KRU General Manager was

given leave pending staff restructuring. His duties are being performed

by a replacement on temporary capacity.

Deloitte Touché, audit, consulting, financial and tax advisory service

providers , are currently assisting the KRU in resolving critical business

issues through the provision of a unique blend of operational and

advisory skills including human resource deployment.

From The Chairman

June ‘11 ISSUE

KenyaRugbyUnion

Victoria Cup

Kenya open Victoria Cup defense away to Zimbabwe

By Michael Kwambo

Kenya start their Victoria Cup defense with a fixture away to Zimbabwe on Saturday 25th June 2011 in the city of Bulawayo, 439 kms south west of the capital city Harare.

Kenya's previous visits to Bulawayo ended in a 15-24 defeat to their hosts on Saturday 24th July 2004. They also fell 56-7 to Zimbabwe at the same venue in 1984.

The two sides have met eleven times before, twelve, if you throw in the 1982 fixture that pitted Zimbabwe against an East Africa touring side entirely made up of Kenyan

players.The Zimbabweans have dominated the head to head count with seven wins,eight if you include the win over East Africa in 1982, Kenya winning the other four.

Kenya have dominated recent proceedings, emerging victorious in four out of their five meetings with Zimbabwe since 2002.

Kenya prepared for this fixture with two build up matches against Currie Cup side, the Ford Pumas from Mpumalanga in South Africa, their select side going down 22-48

with the national side going down 27-41. The Kenyans may have lost the fixture but acquitted themselves well, and this should serve as a great psychological boost

ahead of the visit to Matabeleland.

The Zimbabweans were next door in Kampala, Uganda, taking part in the Confederation of African Rugby's Division 1 B tournament, which they won after posting a 25-15

win over hosts Uganda, a match that doubled up as a Victoria Cup fixture. They would follow this up with a 49-0 win over Madagascar, a result that saw them win the CAR

Division 1B title.

Saturday's clash in the heartland of Zimbabwean rugby promises to be another exciting encounter, pretty much keeping with recent tradition that has seen encounters

between the two sides decided by a margin of nine points or less. The Zimbabweans will be out to avenge an 18-23 loss that saw Kenya not only register their maiden

win on Zimbabwean soil, but also lift the 2010 Victoria Cup with a perfect record, having vanquished Uganda and Zimbabwe home and away.

Kenya Head Coach Michael "Tank" Otieno will name his touring party on Tuesday 21st June 2011 at the RFUEA Grounds.

Kenya v Zimbabwe: - Previous results

Zimbabwe 18 Kenya 23 (17th July 2010, Harare)

Kenya 11 Zimbabwe 10 (12th June 2010, Nairobi)

Zimbabwe 24 Kenya 15 (24th July 2004, Bulawayo)

Kenya 32 Zimbabwe 24 (25th May 2003, Nairobi)

Kenya 19 Zimbabwe 12 ( 28th September 2002, Nairobi)

Kenya 7 Zimbabwe 42 (3rd July 1993, Nairobi)

Zimbabwe 56 Kenya 9 (13th August 1989, Harare)

Kenya 12 Zimbabwe44 (7th August 1987, Nairobi)

Kenya 13 Zimbabwe 15 (1st May 1985, Nairobi)

Zimbabwe 56 Kenya 7 (1984, Bulawayo)

*Zimbabwe 15 East Africa 12 (27th March, 1982, Harare)

*the East African side was entirely made up of Kenyan players

Kenya 24 Zimbabwe 33 ( 7th July 1981,Nairobi)

Kenya 15s team

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KenyaRugbyUnion

Fifteens

Kenya comes out proud at end of Pumas two-match tour

By Gishinga Njoroge

KENYA coach Michael “Tank” Otieno and his squad received instant praise and backing of the Kenya Rugby Union th

chairman, Mwangi Muthee, following the team's hard battle with South African Ford Pumas on Saturday 11 June 2011

which the Pumas won 41-27.

In an earlier first of two “Test” matches, Pumas beat the Kenya Select XV 48-22 in Nairobi last Wednesday. Just a year

ago, Pumas were pummeling Kenya 101-7 in South Africa.

An elated Muthee, recently elected the KRU chairman, under the pledge of making widespread changes in the

administration of the sport and improving the standards of skill and welfare of players, said he could not have asked

for a more immediate response to his crusade than the dedication of the national team players and their managers in

the past few weeks.

“I have the confidence in 'Tank'. He, his fellow coaches and players have shown the intention to turn a new leaf. They

had devoted preparations despite being faced with the prospect of meeting an awesome Pumas' side which

obliterated our national team last year. These results are excellent. South African rugby is one to be admired and

emulated. They are, after all, the world champion nation.

“I am sure Jimmy Stonehouse [Pumas coach] will acknowledge that Kenya have been willing to learn from the Pumas'

lessons of last year. These boys gave their all against highly skilled Pumas in this week's back-to-back tour matches.”

Kenya's improvement will continue, Muthee said, and he sighted the good performance of up to five young players

who made their debut for the full Kenya national side on Saturday.

“Our schools are producing good talent and a well-structured programme to tap and retain the players has been well

mapped out by the KRU Development Manager, Fred Ollows, whose work we are also absolutely impressed by.”

The KRU Chairman said, contrary to opinion expressed elsewhere, that Ollows was one of the most crucial assets of

the Kenyan game.

“We shall give him all the support. I don't think his input was fully utilized in the past. Personally I am excited at what

results Ollows will bring on the table if the KRU backs his already designed programmes.”

Kenya had a gritty game against the Pumas on Saturday, coming back from an early set-back and 7-0 down in the ndsecond minute, to lead 10-7 from the ninth minute to the 22 .

thAgain down 10-14 in on 22 minutes, they regained the lead [15-14] in the 25 before relinquishing it 15-19 at half time.

The Pumas must have received excellent pep talk from Stonehouse during the break to storm back with two quick

tries after the second half kicked off, and led 15-29.

However a stabilized Kenya took the battle to the South Africans and a good crowd at the RFUEA [Rugby Football

Union of East Africa] ground was kept on the edges of the seats in an action-packed final 30 minutes of the match.

Pundits viewed the two rare tour matches as a boon to Kenya's preparations for upcoming internationals against

Zimbabwe and Uganda, and the CAR [Confederation of African Rugby] tournament, also involving Morocco, Tunisia

and Namibia, in November.

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KenyaRugbyUnion

Other News

KENYA WOMEN BEGIN ELGON CUP PREPARATIONS

By Michael Kwambo

The Kenya Women's XV commenced training in May in

readiness for their upcoming July internationals against

rivals Uganda in the Elgon Cup .

Speaking to the Kenya Rugby Union, Head Coach Sammy

Kemmey said that he had three new call ups to the side,

namely Immaculate Nduta and Damima Duffield from

Mwamba RFC and Vivi's Alice Akinyi.

Kemmey added ,” I think we are ready for it more than ever,

the team still has their work cut out for them..we will work

harder than ever in preparation for the fixtures against our

opponents. The team has witnessed massive growth with

each passing year. I am particularly pleased to see my key

players maturing into leaders after being inexperienced

squad members years ago. Most of the players have been

involved in the Dubai Seven's tournament, some for their

first or second, but they've all been exposed to rugby at an

international level. This makes us a wiser group now in

terms of preparedness for international tournaments. We

however need to look beyond playing Uganda…we need

more international games to further expose our players and

technical bench.”

Kenya Women:

Aberdeen Shikoyi, Adelaide Nasambu,Angela Olum,Anita

Omondi, Camilyne Awuor, Catherine Abila, Celestine

Navbalayo, Clementina Atieno, Doreen Remuor,

Immaculate Nduta, Alice Akinyi, Mary Otieno, Millicent

Opala,Philadelphia Olando, Janet Owino, Damima Duffield,

Rebecca Kerubo (Mwamba), Florence Awuor, Janet

Midecha, Maureen Minayo, Keziah Achieng Ogada,

Robinah Wambui, Stacy Awuor, Sylvia Kabere, Rachel

Adhiambo (Vivi), Irene Awino, Mary Musieka (Rovers)

Coach: Sammy Kemmey, Team Manager: Yvonne Makwali

KENYA WIN BOWL IN SCOTLAND TO END SEASON IN NINTH POSITION

By Michael Kwambo

The Kenya Sevens national team completed their

2010/2011 HSBC Sevens World Series with victory in

the Edinburgh Sevens in Scotland, the last leg of the

series. The result saw Kenya finish in ninth position,

garnering 16 points from the legs they participated in.

Lavin Asego secured the points for Kenya, scoring at the

death in the final against Scotland, handing the home

boys a 21-14 win over a side that had edged them to the

London Sevens bowl title a week earlier.

Kenya booked their final berth with a 40-0 win over

Spain in the semis. They had earlier edged the USA 17-

15 in a pulsating bowl quarter final encounter.

Kenya's results in Scotland

Day One thSaturday 28 May 2011

Kenya 38 Canada 5

Kenya 14 South Africa 31

Kenya 7 Australia 14

Kenya dropped to bowl by virtue of placing third in Pool

C, failing to make the main cup quarter finals

Day TwothSunday 29 May 2011

Bowl Qtrs

Kenya 17 USA 15

Bowl Semis

Kenya 40 Spain 0

Bowl Final

Kenya 21 Scotland 14

June ‘11 ISSUE

KenyaRugbyUnion

Rugby 101

Our previous edition covered rugby terms falling between M-R.

This month's edition looks at terms falling between S and X

*Scrum *- the formation used in the set play re-starting play after

a knock-on or forward pass. The forwards from each side bind

together and then the two packs come together to allow the

scrumhalf with the feed to deliver the ball to the scrum. A scrum

can also be awarded or chosen in different circumstances by the

referee.

*Scrum down* - the coming together of the scrum.

*Scrum-half *- the back wearing No.9 who normally feeds the

ball into a scrum and retrieves the ball at the base of scrums,

rucks, and mauls. Can also be called the half-back.

*Scrummaging *- the process of setting and completing a scrum.

*Sevens* - a form of rugby union invented in Scotlandand played

with only seven total players, usually three forwards and four

backs. Each half typically last only seven minutes but can be

longer. The lack of numbers usually results in a free-flowing

game.

*Sin Bin* - the naughty corner where all players who have been

yellow carded sit all alone for 10 minutes.

*Six Nations* - the annual tournament from January through

March between the national men's teams of England ,Wales,

Scotland ,Ireland, France and Italy.

*Springboks* - the national team of South Africa.

*Super Rugby* - the annual tournament between the best

provincial teams of Australia , New Zealand, and South Africa.

*Take* - a well executed catch of a kicked ball.

*Tap Penalty* - a quickly taken penalty where a player taps the

ball a couple of inches with his foot and immediately catches it

and surges forward, done to catch the opposition unawares.

*Tens* - a form of rugby union played with only ten total players.

Each half typically last only 10 minutes but can be longer. Games

are almost always played during tournaments.

*Test* - the name typically used for matches between two

national teams. The match can also be called an international.

*Tight Five *- a common name for all of the front (props and

hooker) and second row (locks) forwards. Also known as Front

Five.

*Touch, touchline* - the out of bounds line that runs on either

side of the pitch. The non-contact version of rugby is also

commonly called touch.

*Touch judge* - an official posted on each side of the pitch to

mark the spot where balls go out of touch and to judge kicks at

goal. The touch judge is also instrumental in pointing out any

serious violence infractions not seen by the referee and in major

matches is in radio contact with him.

*Tri-Nations *- the annual competition between the national

men's teams of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

*Try *- a score of five points awarded when the ball is carried or

kicked across the tryline and touched down to the ground by a

player.

*Try line *- the goal line extending across the pitch.

*Tunnel *- the gap between the front rows in a scrum or the gap

between the two lines of forwards in a lineout.

*Turnover*- when one side takes possession of the ball from their

opponents.

*Union* - another name for the most popular form of rugby

featuring 15, 10, or 7 players per side. The local, provincial, or

national organizing body for rugby competition is also often called

a union.

*Up and Under* - a tactical kick which is popped very high but

not far,allowing the kicker and supporting players to easily run

underneath it for recovery. The kick is intended to put heavy

pressure on any opposition player attempting to catch the ball.

Also called a Garryowen.

*Victoria Cup-* *- the annual competition between the national

men's teams of Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

*Wallabies* - the national team of Australia.

*Webb Ellis Trophy* - the trophy awarded to the winners of the

Rugby World Cup named after William Web Ellis.

*Yellow card* - a player who receives a yellow card from the

referee has to leave the pitch for ten minutes at sit in the Sin Bin.

This is usually given for dangerous, persistent or cynical breaches

of the rules. If the offence is more serious then he can be red

carded.

*XV *- a common identifier for the first fifteen selected players of a

club or team. A team can also use XV in their name, pronounced

as fifteen.