Debutant Onsumu in Simba XV squad for Brazil test

Samson Onsomu will debut for national rugby 15s side Simbas after being named in the 23 man squad to play away against Brazil on Friday.

Kenya will be going to the Test match on a high after thrashing neighbours Uganda 48-10 in the first leg of the Elgon Cup during their first clash of the international season.

Hat-trick hero in Kampala Darwin Mukidza and skipper Brian Nyikuli lead the experienced players in the Jerome Paarwater’s team.

“We had to replace Lyle Asiligwa with Onsomu because he could not link up with the team due to work commitment but we are confident Samson will be an adequate replacement,” Paarwater explained.

“We would have liked to incorporate some of the sevens players into the squad but at the moment they are preparing for the Rio Olympics so they are off limits. Once they’re done with that then maybe we can call some of them up for the later matches,” he added.

The South African tactician was full of praise for Mukidza who produced a man of the match performance against Uganda scoring three tries, one penalty and four conversions in the first leg of the Elgon cup.

“Darwin is the kind of chap who puts his body on the line when we are playing and when he comes close to the opposition’s try box you definitely know that’s a try,” Paarwater noted.

Strathmore Leos Back Row, Nyikuli is hopeful that the team can use the Rio Test match to gauge where they need to reinforce and what exactly they need to polish up before they come back to participate in the Confederation of African Rugby (CAR) cup.

“At the moment, everyone is safe in terms of injury and the player’s mental strength is okay and once we get on the pitch you can expect us to do what we love doing,”  he told Citizen Digital.

New Addition Onsomu has been in the Impala Saracens environment since he was 14.

His prolonged exposure may explain his rich understanding of the game. He has won hearts through his playmaking.

He steps off both feet, is quite fast, sweeps very well – has the highest return on the last man tackle in the Kenyan game, and has a knack for scoring the critical try.

The squad is expected to leave for Rio on Monday evening before jetting back to face Zimbabwe and Namibia on July 9 and 16 with both matches away from home.

Simba XV squad

Forwards: Moses Amusala, Curtis Lilako (KCB), Joseph Kang’ethe, James Kang’ethe (Quins),Sammy Warui (Top Fry Nakuru), Peter Karia,Oliver Mang’eni (KCB),Simon Muniafu, Eric Kerre (Resolution Impala Saracens), Brian Nyikuli, Tony Owuor (Pan Africa Strathmore Leos),Dan Sikuta (Mwamba),Mike Okombe ( Top Fry Nakuru)

Backs: Edwin Achayo (Kabras Sugar), Samson Onsomu* (Resolution Impala Saracens), Nato Simiyu (Resolution Impala Saracens),Isaac Adimo (Quins), Nick Barasa (Kabras Sugar), David Ambunya (Quins), Darwin Mukidza (KCB), Dennis Muhanji (Quins), Vincent Mose (Resolution Impala Saracens),Tony Onyango (Pan Africa Strathmore Leos)

Management: Jerome Paarwater (Head Coach), Charles Ngovi, Dominique Habimana (Assistant Coaches),Richard Ochieng (S&C),Chris Makachia (Physio), Simiyu Wangila (Team Manager)

 Report by Kenerickson Njeru and Eric Kagunda.

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