SIMIYU BROTHERS OPT OUT OF WELLINGTON AND
SAN DIEGO IRB TOUR
January 14, 2007
Studies and job commitments has knocked out the two Simiyu brothers Nato and Victor Sudi leaving only Innocent to carry the family name to New Zealand and the USA.
On Saturday, Collins Kimani was injured and is unlikely to recover to compete for a place after the physiotherapist George Odhiambo gave him three weeks out. The return of Allan Makaka has been noted although immediate inclusion in the team is not assured for the next two legs.
Makaka resumed light training late last year after sustaining an injury last March during the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne , Australia .
It was a full-house as the players vied for a position in the team. They left nothing to chance with coach Benjamin Ayimba shouting instructions and encouragement from the touchline with team manager Oscar Osir keeping a close watch.
“If there is an emergency, I have a team ready to name the team after the training session on Sunday, January 14,” said a confident Ayimba. The coach relieved the first two legs saying he was confident Kenya had a bright future after seven rookies took on the best in the United Arab Emirates and South Africa . “The players who were chosen for the opening two tournaments have learnt their lesson and you can see competition is stiff because all the players are now available,” he commented.
During the training session, Allan Onyango made his presence felt with Dennis Mwanja, Humphrey Kayange and Collins Injera also exciting. Mwanja and Victor Oduor led by example showing three new inclusions – Andrew Amonde, Horace Owiti and Arnold Odera – how it is done.
Peter Ocholla did not disappoint after a good performance in George South Africa. The player who is barely out of his teens could be the next playmaker for Kenya . He packs fancy foot works and youth which caught some of the most experienced players off-guard.
Training has been intense and some of the experienced players are keen to reclaim their places. “Some of the young players did not match up in the opening two tournaments and we want to name the best team available each time to go for eight points,” the coach said. Ayimba admitted it was a big boost to have the experienced players available. “It has livened up competition for the 15 places,” he noted.
There are three development players in the team who are quickly maturing. Biko Adema, Yousufa Faye and Philip Moturi are quickly learning the ropes of the trade from the experienced players. The trio have gained confidence and are keen on attracting the eyes of the selectors much sooner. “It is quite exciting to be playing alongside these players. We have learnt a lot and they are quite ready to share the tricks of the book,” the players acknowledged.
For the first time, Ayimba commented on the draws for the next two legs which has Kenya put in the same Pools as the home teams. “ New Zealand will be playing at home and do not want to take chances against Kenya . The coach – Gordon Tietjens – knows our players inside out after we trained with them for the first time in 2001 before the 7’s World Cup which makes it difficult for us. It is a tough challenge in a very physical Pool,” Ayimba admitted.
Kenya has been drawn in Pool D with New Zealand , Argentina and Tonga for the New Zealand leg. The secret to performing well in Wellington depends on the confidence of the players and ability to vary their attacking options. “They need to be physical and mix this with pace on the outside,” said Ayimba.
Innocent Simiyu who captained the team in the first two legs agreed with his coach. “ New Zealand will be quite a big challenge for the team. It is a very physical Pool and we have to be quick on the outside and use the small gaps,” he commented.
Training on Sunday was concentrated on the gym at Brookhouse School before a fun ‘cricket’ five over match with the rugby ball where Ayimba and Osir were the umpires! Kayange and Weku took three wickets.
Players who trained on Saturday were: Dan Weku, Nato Simiyu, Brian Nyikuli, Peter Ocholla, Naftaly Bondo, (Impala), Sidney Ashioya, Innocent Simiyu, Allan Makaka, Victor Wachira, Felix Ochieng, Allan Onyango, Patrick Onyango, Victor Sudi, Ferdnand Ngaira, (Kenya Harlequin), Lavin Asego, Horace Owiti, Collins Injera, Humphrey Kayange, Victor Oduor (Mwamba) Biko Adema, Ben Nyambu (Nondescripts), Dennis Mwanja, Collins Kimani, Arnold Odera, Andrew Amonde (Kenya Commercial Bank), Philip Moturi (Strathmore University) and Yousufa Faye.
Released by KRFU Media and Communications communications@kenyarfu.com