Fiji-born Kubu earns Simbas call-up as provisional squad is named

Fijian born and Kabras Sugar utility John Kubu has earned his first call up with the Kenya rugby fifteen’s team also known as Simbas.

The Fijian has had an exemplary performance in the local Kenya Cup rugby league becoming a darling to the fans who love watching his ability to outclass his opponents.

Kubu has arguably one of the fastest feet in rugby sevens with the Fijian ability to side-step opponents in a phone booth while donning the famed Kabras Sugar jersey.

Indeed the Fijian fullback Jone Kubu has made a name for himself in the local rugby fraternity after arriving in Kenya seven years ago.

The inclusion of the Fijian in senior national team shows how KRU and Kenya 15s Head of Program, Paul Odera has faith in the sublime talent.

Odera has called up 102 players to the 2021 Simbas training squad that will kick off preparations with virtual sessions with the decision been dictated by government protocols.

Despite his performances that has earned him his dream call up, rugby fans best remember him for inspiring Kabras Sugar to their maiden Kenya Cup title glory after putting a man-of-the-match performance in their a 22-5 win over Impala Saracens RFC in the final.

Kubu who was born in Suva, Fiji in a family of five scored 15 tries and converted 140 points during the 2015/16 season.

Under the World Rugby “residency rule” also known as Regulation 8, “A player may represent a country after they have resided in the said country for an equivalent 36 months or more”.

Other notable faces that have been named include Homeboyz burly center Bob Muhati and Kenya Harlequins youngster Leroy Kamau both of whom have just cleared their studies at the Mount Kenya University.

According to KRU 20 more players are expected to be dropped to reach the final list of 30 players who will compete in this year’s Rugby Africa Cup.

The final squad of 30 players will enter the Stellenbosch camp in June, in readiness for the Rugby Africa Cup where Senegal and Zambia ties lie in wait in July.

The management has scheduled several training camps that will either be virtual or face to face, depending on the next government’s directive on sporting activities across the country.

Simbas 2021 provisional squad:

Loosehead props: Ian Njenga(Nondescripts RFC), Andrew Siminyu(University of Jo’burg), Elisha Koronya(Kenya Harlequin), Collins Obure(Blakblad RFC),Nesta Okotch(Impala Saracens), Joseph Odero(Kabras Sugar RFC), Victor Emmanuel(Kabras Sugar RFC), Emmanuel Otieno(Impala Saracens).

Hookers: Toby Francombe(Unattached), Boniface Ochieng(Kenya Harlequin), Emmanuel Mulindo(Menengai Oilers), Stanley Isogol(Homeboyz RFC), Eugene Sifuna(Kabras Sugar RFC), Brian Waraba(Kenya Harlequin), Brett Khamadi(Kabras Sugar RFC), Griffin Musila(KCB).

Tighthead props: Ian Masheti(Impala Saracens), Melvin Thairu(Kenya Harlequin), Ephraim Oduor(Kabras RFC), Miles Rotuk Rahedi(Kutztown University), Patrick Ouko(KCB), Wilheight Mususi(Kenya Harlequin).

Locks: Malcolm Onsando(Dinamo Bucharesti), Thomas Okeyo(Top Fry Nakuru RFC), Hibrahim Ayoo(Menengai Oilers), Tony Owuor(Mwamba RFC), Davis Chenge(KCB).

Locks: Brian Juma(Kabras RFC), Emmanuel Mavala(Kenya Harlequin), Kevin Nyongesa(Kabras Sugar RFC), Frank Aduda(Impala Saracens), Emmanuel Silungi(Homeboyz RFC), Wallace Otineo(Homeboyz RFC).

Blindside flanker: Joshua Chisanga(Kenya Harlequin), George Nyambua(Kabras Sugar RFC), Samuel Onsongo(Menengai Oilers), Bethwel Anami(Strathmore Leos), George Omolla(Mwamba RFC), Herman Humwa(Kenya Harlequin), James McGreevy(Kenya Harlequin/Glasgow University).

Openside flanker: Monate Akuei(Tigers RFC), Cameron Coulson(Richmond RFC), Brian Amaitsa(Nondescripts), Fidel Oloo(Nondescripts), Martin Owilla(KCB), Ernest Obatt(Blakblad RFC), Andrew Odhiambo(Western Bulls), Clinton Odhiambo(Menengai Oilers), Brayden Barrat(Durham University London), Dan Sikuta(Kabras Sugar RFC).

Number 8: Elkeans Musonye(Impala Saracens), Steve Anthony Otieno(Impala Saracens), Darrensheldon Kahi(Blakblad RFC),Harold Anduvati(Menengai Oilers), Steve Sikuta(Mwamba), Mark Mutuku(Notre Dame Athletic).

Scrumhalf: Samson Onsomu(Impala Saracens), Samuel Asati(KCB), Barry Robinson(Kabras Sugar RFC), Brian Tanga(Kabras Sugar RFC), Brian Wahinya(Blakblad RFC)

Fly half: Anthony Omondi(Mwamba), Charles Kuka(Mwamba), Owain Ashley Lloyd(Cardiff University), Abdultwalib Wesonga(Menengai Oilers), Stephen Osumba(KCB), Jone Kubu(Kabras Sugar), Dominic Coulson(Exeter University).

Left-wing: Timothy Okwemba(Menengai Oilers), Billy Omondi(Impala Saracens), Beldad Ogeta(Menengai Oilers), Archadius Khwesa(Blakblad RFC), Mike Okello(Mwamba), Derrick Ashiundu(Kabras Sugar RFC).

Inside center: John Okoth(Top Fry Nakuru), Charles Tendwa(SC Pirates), Max Omondi(Catholic Monks), Derrick Obukwa(Blakblad RFC), Johnstone Muhanji(Kabras Sugar RFC), Leroy Kamau(Kenya Harlequin).

Outside center: Vincent Onyala(KCB), Austin Sikutwa(Menengai Oilers), Eliud Mulakoli(USIU), Zeden Marrow(Homeboyz RFC), Bob Muhati(Homeboyz RFC), Joel Inzuga(Mwamba), Peter Kilonzo(KCB), Valerian Tendwa(Kabras RFC).

Right-wing: Geoffrey Okwach(KCB), Michael Kimwele(KCB), Jacob Ojee(KCB), Bryceson Adaka(Kabras Sugar RFC), Leonard Mugaisi(Homeboyz RFC), Darwin Mukidza(KCB).

Fullback: Jeff Mutuku(Notre Dame Athletic), Anthony Odhiambo(Impala Saracens), Isaac Njoroge(KCB), Andrew Matoka(Strathmore Leos), Samuel Mwaura(Top Fry Nakuru), Ronnie Omondi(Mwamba), Anderson Oduor(Impala Saracens), Brian Oyando(Kenya Harlequin).