Chipu coach Odera expects tough battle in Brazil

Kenya rugby 15s under-20 head coach Paul Odera expects a tough outing in the IRB Junior Rugby Trophy in Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil next month.

The under -20 team well known as ‘Chipu’ is in a tough ‘Pool D’ alongside 2008 champions Uruguay, 2014 and 2017 champions Japan and the winner between Canada and America.

Odera says his charges will focus on the performance more than the results.

“It is going to be very tough because we’re in a tougher group and I think the country should look for the boys’ performance more than the results.”

“In training I have been telling the boys to focus on their individual performance and the results will take care of themselves because if we get our performance right as individuals then it will impact on our results,” Odera explained in an interview with Citizen Digital.

‘Chipu’ won the Barthes Cup last month by defeating defending champions Namibia 21-18 in Nairobi and Odera is adamant that tactical changes will do them justice in Brazil.

“What has to change now is the pace. We’re doing everything at the moment and the accuracy and conditioning coach is very clear that he wants to get these players to play much faster,” he explained.

“Kenyan players may not be big but they’re very powerful, so if you have got that power in the players and then develop their skill level to be accurate when they’re playing at pace then we’re able to match anyone.”

The last and only time Kenya played in this tourney was in 2009 when they hosted the competition in Nairobi, finishing fourth.

“At that time we had the home advantage unlike this year where we will be playing in Brazil so ours is just to work hard to match the results in 2009.”

The team is already in camp and is expected to jet out on June 4 for the competition which will take place run from June 9-21.

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Brazil Under-20 Paul Odera Kenya Rugby 15s IRB Junior Rugby Trophy Sao Jose dos Campos

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