INTERNATIONAL RUGBY TEST: Victoria Cup

10.07.2010
Uganda v Kenya in Nairobi (Victoria Cup, Elgon Cup)

Venue: RFUEA Grounds

Referee:

Preview
The Victoria Cup is the newest symbol of African rugby supremacy. It is played between three nations, Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe and the format is very similar to the Tri Nations tournament. The Elgon Cup is played for just between Uganda and Kenya and has a five year history.

'“We are out to play total rugby,” these were the words of Kenya Assistant Coach Edward Kinyany while naming the twenty two man squad to face Uganda in Saturday’s crunch Victoria Cup clash at the RFUEA. He added, “We will take to the pitch focused on the Victoria and Elgon Cups.”
Gray Cullen is the only change to the squad that did duty in Uganda. Mike Aung misses out due to family commitments.'

A win to Kenya would virtually seal the Victoria Cup in Kenyan hands for 2010. Uganda arrived in Nairobi without a few key players injured or unavailable. I can't see Uganda being able to pull this one back.

Both Kenya and Uganda then travel to Harare for return games on 17th and 24th July respectively.

Uganda's captain Mathias Ochwo in action against Kenya last weekend. Image thanks to http://www.newvision.co.ug/I/8/30

Last Five Encounters
03.07.2010 Kenya 33-25 in Kampala (Victoria Cup; Elgon Cup 1st leg)
19.08.2009 Uganda 18-13 in Kampala (Elgon Cup, 2nd leg)
15.08.2009 Kenya 30-22 in Nairobi (Elgon Cup, 1st leg)
16.08.2008 Kenya 39-20 in Nairobi (Elgon Cup, 2nd leg)
24.05.2008 Uganda 20-3 in Kampala (Elgon Cup, 1st leg)

GWC Rugby Rankings
Africa Table-Kenya 5th, Uganda 6th
IRB Ranking Points-Kenya 51.40, Uganda 50.09

Prediction: Kenya by 15 points

Teams

Kenya
15. Peter Abuoga (Kenya Harlequin FC)
14. David Ambunya (Kenya Harlequin FC)
13. Victor Sudi (Kenya Harlequin FC)
12. Gray Cullen (Nondescripts RUFC)
11. Kelvin Omiyo (Impala RFC)
10. Innocent Simiyu, Capt. (Impala RFC)
9. Felix Wanjala (Mean Machine RFC)
8. Oscar Ouma (Nakuru RFC)
7. David Mogere (Kenya Harlequin FC)
6. Lawrence Buyachi (Impala RFC)
5. Ronald Mwenesi (Kenya Commercial Bank RFC)
4. Kevin Umbuge (Impala RFC)
3. Nzioka Muema (Impala RFC)
2. Vincent Ongera (Kenya Harlequin FC)
1. Edwin Alubaka (Kenya Commercial Bank RFC)
Replacements
16. Daniel Kiptoo (Kenya Harlequin FC)
17. Joel Ng’ang’a (Kenya Harlequin FC)
18. Anthony Mutai (Kenya Harlequin FC)
19. Andrew Amonde (Kenya Commercial Bank RFC)
20. Moses Kola (Impala RFC)
21. Nato Simiyu (Impala RFC)
22. Patrice Agunda (Kenya Harlequin FC)

Head Coach: Michael Otieno

Adapted from http://www.kenyarfu.com/nteam.cfm

Uganda team not available