Simbas boss Snook impressed but vows more still to come

Kenya 15s head coach Ian Snook said he was contented with his side’s performance as the Simbas did just enough to edge out Zimbabwe 45-36 in Saturday’s Africa Gold Cup clash in Nairobi.

From the win, Kenya bagged four points to stay second with eight, seven behind defending champions and rivals Namibia who have played three games in the qualifiers.

Snook said he was proud with the result but vowed to redress a few key areas ahead of their third qualifying fixture against Uganda in the capital.

“A bit tense in the closing stages but grateful to the boys especially the substitutes  were able compose themselves and elevate the tempo of the game and score two quick tries, a win is a win for us, going forward we just have to change on a few areas and we will be good to go,” Snook told Citizen Digital.

With defeat looming for the home team, Snook would throw on KCB trio of Moses Amusala, Peter Karia, Curtis Lilako, Oliver Mang’eni, Max Kang’eri and Dalmus Chituyi on for his test debut.

Their impact was soon felt as they put the Sables on the defensive. They would retake the lead with a try off the maul, leading 38-36 with precious little on the clock before Chituyi capped his maiden appearance with the game winning try, Mukidza adding the extras to convert the result.

“Although we lost three tries, it was a good performance in the end,” Snook said We have had a short time to train and blend together for the qualifiers but I believe if we put in some good work this week we have the potential to do better in the upcoming games.”

Snook sentiments were echoed by Captain Davis Chenge, who scored a hat trick for his side in the first half of the mouth-watering fixture at the RFUEA grounds.

“It was a bit tensed for us in the closing stages but proud of what tye substitutes were able to bring on the field and win it for us, marching forward we  are looking to improve on line-outs and set-pieces also a little bit of scrimmaging ahead of the upcoming games Otherwise the mood remains positive for the next assignments,” Chenge said.

In the latest standings Namibia top the table with 15 points having bagged maximum points from the three matches they have played winning against Uganda 55-6, Tunisia 118-0 and Morocco 63-7.

Kenya Simbas, who have played two matches, are second with eight points having missed out on bonus wins in both occasions, they saw off Morocco 24-28 and Zimbabwe 45-36.

The Simbas will shift their attention to their next match at home against Uganda Rugby Cranes on 7 July which will double up as the Elgon Cup return leg with Simbas on control of the nail biting fixture with a 34-16 advantage.

The 2018 Africa Gold Cup winner will be determined at the end of the competition where the team with the most points will be crowned champions and scoop the sole ticket to the Rugby World Cup in Japan 2019 as Africa 1.

Runners-up, Africa 2, will head to global repechage in November for the last chance to qualify for the World Cup.

Africa Gold Cup Standings

1. Namibia 15
2. Kenya 8
3. Morocco 3
4. Zimbabwe 2
5. Uganda 0
6. Tunisia 0

Results and Fixtures

June 16 2018

Zimbabwe 23 Morocco 23

Namibia 55 Uganda 6

June 23 2018

Namibia 118 Tunisia 0

Morocco 24 Kenya 28

June 30 2018

Kenya 45 Zimbabwe 36

Morocco 7 Namibia 63

Fixtures

July 7 2018

Kenya v Uganda –Centre referee (Quinton Immelman) (SA)

Tunisia v Zimbabwe