Saturday, May 31, 2008
Kenya Cup Results
KCB 43 Nondies 3 Impala 27 Mwamba 22 Quins 16 Machine 9. Strathmore 15 Mombasa 13.
Better, but..
Second game lost 24-12 to France. Maybe the coach's plan is working. Gathumbi is a real find. Next game against Fiji at 19:14 EAT.
Kenya Win First Match
A rather colourless match but a win all the same. Kenya 22 Moldova 5. Next game against France at 16:08 EAT.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Weekend Games
Kenya Cup this weekend sees KCB host Nondies, Mwamba at home to Impala, Mean Machine host Quins and Mombasa Strathomore. I do not see any major re-alignment taking place in the league standings, however the interesting games should be Mwamba vs. Impala and Machine vs. Quins. KCB should have it fairly easy and maintain their unbeaten streak and the Mombasa vs. Strathomore should also be a contest. Mombasa seem to have hit a right chord and are looking to make waves, especially at the Coast. As usual, match results will be posted here soon after the matches.
On the international scene Kenya will be out to redeem themselves at the Melrose Sevens in Scotland, I hope... After reading these comments, I get a funny feeling. I'll be watching the games with lots of hopes and expectations. We have an easier Pool D with Fiji, France and Moldova so I hope we will make the main cup Quarter finals. That will at least assure us of some points (4). Most of my anger and frustration has dissipated so I will watch the games with an open mind. If Lavin clicks this time we're set. More info on www.irbsevens.com.
On the international scene Kenya will be out to redeem themselves at the Melrose Sevens in Scotland, I hope... After reading these comments, I get a funny feeling. I'll be watching the games with lots of hopes and expectations. We have an easier Pool D with Fiji, France and Moldova so I hope we will make the main cup Quarter finals. That will at least assure us of some points (4). Most of my anger and frustration has dissipated so I will watch the games with an open mind. If Lavin clicks this time we're set. More info on www.irbsevens.com.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Kenya Cup Week 6
The top three continued their march. Impala failed to get a point, losing to Nakuru. That saw them lose their lead and drop to second place. KCB remain the only unbeaten team in the league and gained the top ranking to lead the standings. Nakuru are tied second with Impala but on an inferior point difference. A solitary point separates the top three sides. Quins are nine points adrift in fourth place followed by Mwamba, Mean Machine, Mombasa, Strathmore and Nondies at the tail with a solitary point.
As I had mentioned earlier it is shaping up to be a three horse race. The middle order of Quins, Mwamba and Machine can only cause the leaders to drop points and change the order at the top of the standings but themselves stand a slim chance of making it into that club. These will be the most dangerous teams once the second leg of the league begins after the Tusker Safari Sevens.
As I had mentioned earlier it is shaping up to be a three horse race. The middle order of Quins, Mwamba and Machine can only cause the leaders to drop points and change the order at the top of the standings but themselves stand a slim chance of making it into that club. These will be the most dangerous teams once the second leg of the league begins after the Tusker Safari Sevens.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Weekly Ramble
An interesting article in todays Nation caught my eye. Teachers' Colleges are playing rugby and competitively? Apparently there are more people playing rugby than we think. Is all this done under the auspices of the Kenya Rugby Football Union? I wonder. Not my point anyway. With this vast number of "people" playing rugby in this country, I also wonder if there is any monitoring done on just what is being played.
What am I talking about? My question boils round standards. Do we have any expectations of our rugby players? What is the bare minimum they must be able to do? With so many people playing rugby all over the place, is it structured rugby or akin to what we used to call "British Bulldog". Not to deride the game, some of us learned our evasive skills playing that game, the point being organisation. Do we just let anyone pick up a rugby ball and play or do we ensure he has someone to show him how to play? Rugby being a contact sport, it is important that the "players" learn the correct way to take/make contact with least risk of injury to both parties. Is this being done? What about officiating? Do we have enough referees. In one of my posts I talk about the level of officiating in this country. We barely have competent officials at club level, what do we have for those ad hoc games? A painful thought. I have never gone this route, but what about coaches. Do all these teams have coaches? Are all of them qualified? Can all of them be measured against some criteria to declare them "competent"? Once the coaches are competent, are the producing competent players? Who is a competent player?
My concern here is that we are not producing the right quality of player at the right time. Players make it to the National Teams totally bereft of skill. National Coaches have been reduced to talent scouts and then development coaches. In other countries, coaches are called managers. Primarily because they manage the resource at their disposal. This may be coaches, physiotherapists, doctors, nutritionists, logistic persons, etc. in order to produce the best possible team. That is a far cry from what our coaches do. Then the behaviour of the players further turns the coaches into selectors. What do I mean by this? Squads are called well in advance to start training for assignments. Players don't bother to turn up. Once they make the squad, their next challenge is to make the match day team. They don't intend to do this by working hard at all training sessions and following the instructions of the coach. They intend to do this by attending just enough sessions to be "selected". Thus sessions far from the game have low player turnout, those closest to the game have the biggest turnouts. What is the "coach" to do then? He is only left with coming up with a workable combination for the game based on who is available.
As a parting shot, no Kenyan Club can be beaten by a Ugandan Club, but our National team seems to be struggling by the day. We cannot rely on "playing at home" to win matches. We must be able to produce match winning performances irrespective of the venue!
What am I talking about? My question boils round standards. Do we have any expectations of our rugby players? What is the bare minimum they must be able to do? With so many people playing rugby all over the place, is it structured rugby or akin to what we used to call "British Bulldog". Not to deride the game, some of us learned our evasive skills playing that game, the point being organisation. Do we just let anyone pick up a rugby ball and play or do we ensure he has someone to show him how to play? Rugby being a contact sport, it is important that the "players" learn the correct way to take/make contact with least risk of injury to both parties. Is this being done? What about officiating? Do we have enough referees. In one of my posts I talk about the level of officiating in this country. We barely have competent officials at club level, what do we have for those ad hoc games? A painful thought. I have never gone this route, but what about coaches. Do all these teams have coaches? Are all of them qualified? Can all of them be measured against some criteria to declare them "competent"? Once the coaches are competent, are the producing competent players? Who is a competent player?
My concern here is that we are not producing the right quality of player at the right time. Players make it to the National Teams totally bereft of skill. National Coaches have been reduced to talent scouts and then development coaches. In other countries, coaches are called managers. Primarily because they manage the resource at their disposal. This may be coaches, physiotherapists, doctors, nutritionists, logistic persons, etc. in order to produce the best possible team. That is a far cry from what our coaches do. Then the behaviour of the players further turns the coaches into selectors. What do I mean by this? Squads are called well in advance to start training for assignments. Players don't bother to turn up. Once they make the squad, their next challenge is to make the match day team. They don't intend to do this by working hard at all training sessions and following the instructions of the coach. They intend to do this by attending just enough sessions to be "selected". Thus sessions far from the game have low player turnout, those closest to the game have the biggest turnouts. What is the "coach" to do then? He is only left with coming up with a workable combination for the game based on who is available.
As a parting shot, no Kenyan Club can be beaten by a Ugandan Club, but our National team seems to be struggling by the day. We cannot rely on "playing at home" to win matches. We must be able to produce match winning performances irrespective of the venue!
Monday, May 26, 2008
Nightmares of the Rugby Type
That was my weekend for you. With hindsight not really surprising, but we mostly let our patriotism and hopes cloud our logic. You can read the Nation and the Standard reviews. The Monitor of Uganda also has this report. My thoughts follow.
The Elgon Cup. I had listed the squad on this blog prior to the match. The squad seemed deliberately named in way to mask who would be in the starting line-up or not. No clue why. My correspondent in Kampala has not been able to send me his report, maybe moping after the result. However, my reading of the game is thus. I actually think it was a very close game. The sin-binning of Andrew Amonde just before half time seemed to have sparked something in the Ugandans and killed something in us. Two quick tries were scored and converted in this period and that was the game. That the entire second half remained scoreless should be a pointer to the tightness of the encounter.
Some basic mistakes which must have cost us. One, a rookie fly half in such a game in such a country. I do not think Jotham Yahuma is ready for the big leagues yet. Two, playing Amonde in the centres. Regular readers here will know how I feel about playing back row players in this position. His sin bin must have been for the now regular head high tackles. Three, classic KFF blunder. Assuming your foreign based players are your best players. Here Derrick Wamalwa and Dan Weku. We have no clue what they are playing in France! We need to regularly monitor such players, even if it is just by watching their tapes (I'm sure those are readily available). I was also surprised at the heavy presence of Quins players, who are struggling in the league, at the expense of KCB, Impala and Nakuru who currently top the league. Form must account for something.
This time there is no excuse. The team has been training since early March and we were all fairly confident they would click. Apparently this did not happen, lending credence to my earlier post. Maybe I'll dwell more on this in my Weekly Ramble this week.
Twickenham Sevens. What can I say about this. There is perception, then there is reality. The reality is we do not have that many players capable of playing at this level. To be outplayed by teams like Russia and Spain is to say the least disappointing, but just from watching, you can tell where we are struggling. Our passing, support, lines of running and support, it's just as if we were playing blindfolded! The only statistic chart we topped was for most errors! I think we will be hard put to change within a week. Suffice to say Denis Mwanja was greatly missed. Also the creative genius of Peter Ocholla. Add to that the out and out pace of Collins Injera, and the snake like weaving of his elder sibling Humphrey Kayange, we all know we were now struggling to raise a solid team. The boys actually played to the best of their ability, methinks.
The Elgon Cup. I had listed the squad on this blog prior to the match. The squad seemed deliberately named in way to mask who would be in the starting line-up or not. No clue why. My correspondent in Kampala has not been able to send me his report, maybe moping after the result. However, my reading of the game is thus. I actually think it was a very close game. The sin-binning of Andrew Amonde just before half time seemed to have sparked something in the Ugandans and killed something in us. Two quick tries were scored and converted in this period and that was the game. That the entire second half remained scoreless should be a pointer to the tightness of the encounter.
Some basic mistakes which must have cost us. One, a rookie fly half in such a game in such a country. I do not think Jotham Yahuma is ready for the big leagues yet. Two, playing Amonde in the centres. Regular readers here will know how I feel about playing back row players in this position. His sin bin must have been for the now regular head high tackles. Three, classic KFF blunder. Assuming your foreign based players are your best players. Here Derrick Wamalwa and Dan Weku. We have no clue what they are playing in France! We need to regularly monitor such players, even if it is just by watching their tapes (I'm sure those are readily available). I was also surprised at the heavy presence of Quins players, who are struggling in the league, at the expense of KCB, Impala and Nakuru who currently top the league. Form must account for something.
This time there is no excuse. The team has been training since early March and we were all fairly confident they would click. Apparently this did not happen, lending credence to my earlier post. Maybe I'll dwell more on this in my Weekly Ramble this week.
Twickenham Sevens. What can I say about this. There is perception, then there is reality. The reality is we do not have that many players capable of playing at this level. To be outplayed by teams like Russia and Spain is to say the least disappointing, but just from watching, you can tell where we are struggling. Our passing, support, lines of running and support, it's just as if we were playing blindfolded! The only statistic chart we topped was for most errors! I think we will be hard put to change within a week. Suffice to say Denis Mwanja was greatly missed. Also the creative genius of Peter Ocholla. Add to that the out and out pace of Collins Injera, and the snake like weaving of his elder sibling Humphrey Kayange, we all know we were now struggling to raise a solid team. The boys actually played to the best of their ability, methinks.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
No Points from Twickenham
Kenya won only one game in two days of rugby, bowing out in the Shield final and failing to earn any points for the first time this season. A shield semi win against Moldova was the only cheer as Spain overturned the form book to deny us the trophy. Next tournament at the home of Sevens rugby in Scotland next weekend.
No Points from Twickenham
Kenya lost 7 10 to Spain in the Shield final to end the tournament with only a win against lowly Moldova in the semi of the same competition. They thus failed to earn a single point for the first time this season. Next tournament at the home of Sevens rugby in Scotland next weekend. See you then.
Kenya Drop to Shield
A fourth straight loss to Australia 17 nil has consigned the lads to the lowest competition, the Shield.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
OK It's a Duck
The first one in a long time. Samoa 28 Kenya 10. No comments for now. Have a good weekend.
Bad Day in the Office
Kenya continued to struggle to find their form, going down 17-7 to Russia in the second match. A strange decision to rest Denis Mwanja, our most prolific scorer came to haunt the team as they struggled against the intensely physical Russians. Kenya also seem to be struggling to find a match maker with Lavin Asego and Nato Simuyu struggling to combine or to effectively utilise space. Kenya are now consigned to the lower competitions of the Bowl and the Shield and will be hard put to come out with a single point in this outing. Next game at 19.36 against Samoa.
Next update will be the outcome of the Elgon Cup.
Next update will be the outcome of the Elgon Cup.
Kenya Lose Opener
Kenya have lost their opening match in the IRB Sevens, London leg to Scotland 17-5. Scotland were too organised in attack and we made basic errors (missed tackles) that put us on the back foot throughout the game. Next game Russia at 15:56.
As an aside, the Crusaders will host the Waratahs in next weekend's Super XIV final after they convincingly overcame the Hurricanes and the Sharks respectively.
As an aside, the Crusaders will host the Waratahs in next weekend's Super XIV final after they convincingly overcame the Hurricanes and the Sharks respectively.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Weekend Games
Despite the fact that over 34 players are currently out of the country on National Assignment, the Kenya Cup league continues. Mwamba host champions KCB, Nakuru host leaders Impala, Mean Machine are at home to Nondies and Mombasa to Quins. One or more of the top three must drop some points this weekend and the bottom of the table also seems set to take some re-alignment.
On the international scene, the Elgon Cup match should kick off at 4.00 p.m. EAT. I will attempt to provide updates, at least half time and full time scores here. The Sevens team face Scotland at 12.50, Russia at 15.56 and Samoa at 19.36, all times EAT. A hundred percent performance on day one would set us up with Australia in the Quarter finals. Less than that will have us face Fiji... maybe it's time to bring them on!
On the international scene, the Elgon Cup match should kick off at 4.00 p.m. EAT. I will attempt to provide updates, at least half time and full time scores here. The Sevens team face Scotland at 12.50, Russia at 15.56 and Samoa at 19.36, all times EAT. A hundred percent performance on day one would set us up with Australia in the Quarter finals. Less than that will have us face Fiji... maybe it's time to bring them on!
Thursday, May 22, 2008
All Set for London Leg
The 7-a-side team is all set for the London leg of the IRB Sevens Series. You can read coach Benjamin Ayimba's pre-tournament comments here. The fixtures are all listed on the same site. Times are 3 hours behind ours (so add 3 to get local time). We wish the boys well.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Weekly Ramble
I often wonder if the KRFU plays a direct role in the running of clubs. What support does the Union give to clubs in order to have a successful league? That a strong and successful league will lead to a strong national team is not in doubt, but just how much thought is put into maintaining an effective structure?
Most leagues worldwide are structured with a wider base at the bottom and a narrow tip at the top. How wide your tip is should be reflection of width of the base, that should be much, much more. There should be structure in place to motivate the teams at the lower levels to strive to reach the top. In most cases an effective system of promotion and relegation is used and the threat of relegation is enough to motivate teams to strive to stay at the top. But what is the incentive at the top, other than bragging rights? Our top league has no reward whatsoever for the winner and most times no body even considers the costs teams undergo in order to get to the top. Our top dog of the Union is on record as being against prize money being offered in competitions. What then is in it for the clubs and players?
Should the Union be in a position to directly support clubs? Should the Union assist clubs in sourcing for sponsorship.? Would a combined approach to corporates satisfy them that all of rugby would benefit from the sponsorship? Were the Union to get a league sponsor, should that sponsorship trickle down directly to the teams participating in that particular league? Does anyone ask these questions? I wonder. To a player playing in the "top" league but does not make it to any national team, what motivates him? As for the club supporters of followers, what do they put into the team? What do they expect out of it?
I'm sure this post applies to most sports in Africa and it greatly saddens me. What can we do to help African Sports?
Most leagues worldwide are structured with a wider base at the bottom and a narrow tip at the top. How wide your tip is should be reflection of width of the base, that should be much, much more. There should be structure in place to motivate the teams at the lower levels to strive to reach the top. In most cases an effective system of promotion and relegation is used and the threat of relegation is enough to motivate teams to strive to stay at the top. But what is the incentive at the top, other than bragging rights? Our top league has no reward whatsoever for the winner and most times no body even considers the costs teams undergo in order to get to the top. Our top dog of the Union is on record as being against prize money being offered in competitions. What then is in it for the clubs and players?
Should the Union be in a position to directly support clubs? Should the Union assist clubs in sourcing for sponsorship.? Would a combined approach to corporates satisfy them that all of rugby would benefit from the sponsorship? Were the Union to get a league sponsor, should that sponsorship trickle down directly to the teams participating in that particular league? Does anyone ask these questions? I wonder. To a player playing in the "top" league but does not make it to any national team, what motivates him? As for the club supporters of followers, what do they put into the team? What do they expect out of it?
I'm sure this post applies to most sports in Africa and it greatly saddens me. What can we do to help African Sports?
Kenya Team to Uganda
Coach Michael "Tank" Otieno yesterday unveiled his side to face Uganda in the first leg of the Elgon Cup. Several new faces dot the squad and once more there is a good blend of youth and experience. The team leaves tomorrow morning for the game. The complete squad is as below.
Daniel Kiptoo (Quins), Vincent Ongera (Quins), Frank Ndong (Impala), Derrick Wamalwa (France), Joel Nganga (Quins), Anthony Ogot (KCB), Paul Murunga (KCB), George Odipo (Quins), Paul Okech (Mwamba), Lewis Olaka (Quins), Anthony Shihemi (Impala), Paul Oimbo (Impala), David Gitau (Quins), Moses Kola (Impala), Innocent Simiyu (Impala - Capt.), Jotham Yahuma (KCB), Andrew Amonde (KCB), Victor Sudi (Quins), Dan Weku (France), Jay Williams (Nondies), Vincent Mose (Nakuru), Cyprian Shimenga (Nakuru).
Daniel Kiptoo (Quins), Vincent Ongera (Quins), Frank Ndong (Impala), Derrick Wamalwa (France), Joel Nganga (Quins), Anthony Ogot (KCB), Paul Murunga (KCB), George Odipo (Quins), Paul Okech (Mwamba), Lewis Olaka (Quins), Anthony Shihemi (Impala), Paul Oimbo (Impala), David Gitau (Quins), Moses Kola (Impala), Innocent Simiyu (Impala - Capt.), Jotham Yahuma (KCB), Andrew Amonde (KCB), Victor Sudi (Quins), Dan Weku (France), Jay Williams (Nondies), Vincent Mose (Nakuru), Cyprian Shimenga (Nakuru).
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Focus Turns to National Teams
Both the 7-a-side and the 15-a-side team have assignments this weekend. The London leg of the IRB Sevens Series is on Saturday and Sunday and the Elgon Cup first leg is in Kampala on Saturday.
Despite the near disaster (read it here) that occurred on Sunday night, the 7's team is in high spirits and is rearing to go. They are determined to come back with enough points to maintain the fifth position ranking in the circuit. Virgin have already confirmed sponsorship for another season with the added incentive of a fully paid holiday for the team and a partner in the Caribbean should they win any of the legs next season. The team seems to be a good blend of youth and experience and they should achieve their targets easily. Anything else will be a major bonus.
For the 15-a-side team, it is a different kettle of fish altogether. The traditional rivalry between Kenya and Uganda comes to the fore and it is sure to be fireworks in Uganda. For those who think the Safari Sevens is a hostile environment for a visiting team, they have never seen the environment at any of the grounds in Uganda. That the crowd can pull the winger's shorts would be an understatement of the intensity and the intimidation that any visiting team faces on the day. On Saturday we will have the Africa Champions against the current holders of the Elgon Cup. This is one match I relish. The squad is yet to be named. I will post it here as soon as I get it. We wish the boys well.
Despite the near disaster (read it here) that occurred on Sunday night, the 7's team is in high spirits and is rearing to go. They are determined to come back with enough points to maintain the fifth position ranking in the circuit. Virgin have already confirmed sponsorship for another season with the added incentive of a fully paid holiday for the team and a partner in the Caribbean should they win any of the legs next season. The team seems to be a good blend of youth and experience and they should achieve their targets easily. Anything else will be a major bonus.
For the 15-a-side team, it is a different kettle of fish altogether. The traditional rivalry between Kenya and Uganda comes to the fore and it is sure to be fireworks in Uganda. For those who think the Safari Sevens is a hostile environment for a visiting team, they have never seen the environment at any of the grounds in Uganda. That the crowd can pull the winger's shorts would be an understatement of the intensity and the intimidation that any visiting team faces on the day. On Saturday we will have the Africa Champions against the current holders of the Elgon Cup. This is one match I relish. The squad is yet to be named. I will post it here as soon as I get it. We wish the boys well.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Weekend Games
Hi all. Let me apologise for not being on the ball this weekend. I was indisposed and did not have access to my data sources. My other contributor was also traveling and unable to provide updates. A good round up of the weekend games can be found here. It is turning out to be a very interesting league. The only result not posted is Nondies 12, Mombasa 15. Nondies picked up their first point but remain at the bottom of the league.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Weekly Ramble
The game of rugby is growing in leaps and bounds and there is no doubt about this. Worldwide it is a given but I usually wonder if our local game is attempting to match the pace. I have rambled a bit about our administrative structures and our playing capacity or abilities in the past, but these are just parts of the whole. I once again re-iterate that our union does not have a strategy in place to manage the game. Their management ability is limited to ensuring the 7-a-side team travels as widely as possible and that the Safari Sevens takes place. Anything else is left to manage itself.
I am straying from what I wanted to say. With the upcoming Elgon Cup match against Uganda a week Saturday, some teams are ruing the fact that they have so many players in the national team. This has the potential of weakening them for their Kenya Cup fixtures. Why the league is not suspended when the team plays away, yet it is suspended when they play at home is a topic for another day. Mine here is to query the rationalisation of our league structure.
All over the world, competitive internationals are played after the local competitive league. The rationale is the players are to prove their form while playing competitively for their clubs and then they have time to focus on national assignments. The entire process is thus managed and structured to allow for such planning. This involves co-ordination between the individual country governing bodies, and the corresponding continental or word governing body. This ensures that such conflicts do not arise especially where loyalties may be called to question. It is for unforgivable for one to place club loyalty above patriotism, but in most instances it is a case of where your bread is buttered. In countries where they have a top-down policy as we are trying to eschew, players earn/benefit more from the country than from the club, and hence their loyalties are clearly defined. In the bottom-up method, the reverse is true, and hence the allure of the club is greater than the country. The results in the former principle are clear in what is currently happening to New Zealand and other such countries. Whereas our country doesn't even have a penny to try and implement this structure, they try to enforce it in policy. And whereas our clubs also do not have the money, they certainly have ways to retain/reward/motivate their players. And hence the perennial battle.
I keep digressing. What I am trying to say is we should realise that though we cannot be professional in our treatment of players, read remunerate them, we can try to implement professional structures. Least of which would be rationalising our playing season to fit the international calendar. We need to forget about things like "Christmas" breaks since they actually do us more harm than good (this is when our fitness goes to the dogs!). Our season does not have to start in January, but has to end well before the international season begins. What sense does it make to have the Bamburi Rugby Super Series before the season, when players are unfit, and then select the "best" players from this? I think this all needs a serious re-think.
I am straying from what I wanted to say. With the upcoming Elgon Cup match against Uganda a week Saturday, some teams are ruing the fact that they have so many players in the national team. This has the potential of weakening them for their Kenya Cup fixtures. Why the league is not suspended when the team plays away, yet it is suspended when they play at home is a topic for another day. Mine here is to query the rationalisation of our league structure.
All over the world, competitive internationals are played after the local competitive league. The rationale is the players are to prove their form while playing competitively for their clubs and then they have time to focus on national assignments. The entire process is thus managed and structured to allow for such planning. This involves co-ordination between the individual country governing bodies, and the corresponding continental or word governing body. This ensures that such conflicts do not arise especially where loyalties may be called to question. It is for unforgivable for one to place club loyalty above patriotism, but in most instances it is a case of where your bread is buttered. In countries where they have a top-down policy as we are trying to eschew, players earn/benefit more from the country than from the club, and hence their loyalties are clearly defined. In the bottom-up method, the reverse is true, and hence the allure of the club is greater than the country. The results in the former principle are clear in what is currently happening to New Zealand and other such countries. Whereas our country doesn't even have a penny to try and implement this structure, they try to enforce it in policy. And whereas our clubs also do not have the money, they certainly have ways to retain/reward/motivate their players. And hence the perennial battle.
I keep digressing. What I am trying to say is we should realise that though we cannot be professional in our treatment of players, read remunerate them, we can try to implement professional structures. Least of which would be rationalising our playing season to fit the international calendar. We need to forget about things like "Christmas" breaks since they actually do us more harm than good (this is when our fitness goes to the dogs!). Our season does not have to start in January, but has to end well before the international season begins. What sense does it make to have the Bamburi Rugby Super Series before the season, when players are unfit, and then select the "best" players from this? I think this all needs a serious re-think.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Kenya Cup Week 4
Well it's turning out to be a two horse race for the cup this season. The two sides, Impala and KCB have weathered quite some storms and come out unscathed. It was also a good week in that two sides registered their first wins of the season. Mombasa and Strathmore now leave Nondies as the only side yet to earn a point this season. That Strathmore could beat fancied Mwamba must be a tale for many a bar discussion.
With the league almost half way through the first leg, some interesting scenarios begin to unfold. Going by last weekends results, it appears that the champion will be the team that best handles the "spoilers" so to speak. The teams in the middle of the table and some in the lower part have the potential to "spoil" the teams' runs to the trophy and that is where the danger lies. Easy does it I say.
The other scenario is with the Kenya Team engagements. The weekend of the 24th May sees both the National XV and the National 7's teams play on the same weekend outside the country. This pulls 34 players out of the teams immediately. The teams best represented in these sides will suffer since the league matches will go on uninterrupted. The teams currently performing the best will have the better players and hence better represented. What will pull the day through for them will be the depth they have within their ranks.
With the league almost half way through the first leg, some interesting scenarios begin to unfold. Going by last weekends results, it appears that the champion will be the team that best handles the "spoilers" so to speak. The teams in the middle of the table and some in the lower part have the potential to "spoil" the teams' runs to the trophy and that is where the danger lies. Easy does it I say.
The other scenario is with the Kenya Team engagements. The weekend of the 24th May sees both the National XV and the National 7's teams play on the same weekend outside the country. This pulls 34 players out of the teams immediately. The teams best represented in these sides will suffer since the league matches will go on uninterrupted. The teams currently performing the best will have the better players and hence better represented. What will pull the day through for them will be the depth they have within their ranks.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Weekend Games
Kenya Cup resumes after a one week break with the following matches on the cards today. Nakuru host KCB, Impala host Quins, Strathmore host Mwamba and Machine are in Mombasa. Results to follow later today.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Safari Sevens Gets Bigger
With the yesterday's announcements of the increased sponsorship from Tusker of Ksh. 24M and the confirmation that Fiji will grace this years event, the 2008 Tusker Safari Sevens will surely be the biggest ever. That Tusker have declared that they will pay Ksh. 18M of this directly to the KRFU should be music to KRFU's ears. In an earlier post, I had queried the role of sponsors in African Sports and I was inconclusive in that post. With this announcement it is no clearer in my mind.
It is a known fact, the Tusker Safari Sevens is one of the biggest parties of the year. It is the only time over 10,000 people cram the tiny RFUEA ground to witness the rising global spectacle that is seven a side rugby. The immense sponsorship from Tusker ensures that everything will be in place and no corners cut in ensuring a successful event. The presence of Fiji will in turn draw other world class teams to ensure the quality of play matches the status of the tournament, as the "finest sevens tournament outside of the IRB circuit". And to me that is where it all ends. Three days of thrilling and exhilarating fun and in the end, we go back to what we do for the other 52 weeks of the year.
For the KRFU or Tusker for that matter to spend that amount of money over three days would imply that we are pretty well covered in everything else. We have properly run age grade programmes, our women's rugby is up to par with other countries in Africa and we have a well thought out talent identification and nurturing programme. We also have a properly managed youth academy with qualified personnel running it. When you imagine that the Kenya players do not even get paid to take part in "their own party", I find that amazing. Not once have we been faced with an imminent boycott by the players. Not once has the national team been told, the week after the Safari Sevens, that there is no money for their allowances. Surely I ask...
It is a known fact, the Tusker Safari Sevens is one of the biggest parties of the year. It is the only time over 10,000 people cram the tiny RFUEA ground to witness the rising global spectacle that is seven a side rugby. The immense sponsorship from Tusker ensures that everything will be in place and no corners cut in ensuring a successful event. The presence of Fiji will in turn draw other world class teams to ensure the quality of play matches the status of the tournament, as the "finest sevens tournament outside of the IRB circuit". And to me that is where it all ends. Three days of thrilling and exhilarating fun and in the end, we go back to what we do for the other 52 weeks of the year.
For the KRFU or Tusker for that matter to spend that amount of money over three days would imply that we are pretty well covered in everything else. We have properly run age grade programmes, our women's rugby is up to par with other countries in Africa and we have a well thought out talent identification and nurturing programme. We also have a properly managed youth academy with qualified personnel running it. When you imagine that the Kenya players do not even get paid to take part in "their own party", I find that amazing. Not once have we been faced with an imminent boycott by the players. Not once has the national team been told, the week after the Safari Sevens, that there is no money for their allowances. Surely I ask...
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
The Experimental Law Variations
The Experimental Law Variations or ELV's have been on trials in various parts of the world. You can catch up on these here and here. That the changes are drastic and will change the way rugby is played is fairly obvious and it is to be for the better of the game. The changes hope to increase the amount of time the ball is in play and hopefully the amount of action that occurs round the field. Last weekend the International Rugby Board (IRB) unanimously voted for a world wide trial of the laws from August of this year.
I am worried about these for various reasons. Firstly, our referees. I am concerned about their ability to competently referee under the current age old laws. The last time laws were overhauled greatly is over ten years ago and to date these guys are having problems interpreting those laws. Throw in the new ones and well, we can only wait and see. Secondly, how the players react to the laws depends a lot on the handling of the games by the referees. In particular the break down law and policing of the gates at the tackle play a very major role. Our players are very weak in this area and it is a direct result of lack of appropriate action taken by the match officials for offenders or lack of discipline at this crucial area. Thirdly, our administrators. Everywhere the trials have been held, each union of grouping (e.g. SANZAR), decides exactly which changes to implement and to what extent. Our present board is filled with individuals who I'm sorry to say do not really understand the game of rugby. Most of them have never played the game to any appreciable level whilst others took sabbaticals of almost ten years from the game at all levels to finally return as administrators. Are these people really in tune with the changes rugby has undergone over the years in order to decide what is good for us and what is not, technically speaking that is? A perfect example is where SANZAR opted not to allow pulling down of mauls since they consider it dangerous whilst their northern hemisphere counterparts will allow it. What would our directors think? Even if the Confederation of African Rugby were to decide a way forward for us, I dredd to imagine who our representative there will be!
I believe a lot of thought and consultation has to given to this even before we decide we are joining the rest of the world. The fact that the changes are to occur mid-season makes it even more of a challenge. August is not far, the process should start immediately!
I am worried about these for various reasons. Firstly, our referees. I am concerned about their ability to competently referee under the current age old laws. The last time laws were overhauled greatly is over ten years ago and to date these guys are having problems interpreting those laws. Throw in the new ones and well, we can only wait and see. Secondly, how the players react to the laws depends a lot on the handling of the games by the referees. In particular the break down law and policing of the gates at the tackle play a very major role. Our players are very weak in this area and it is a direct result of lack of appropriate action taken by the match officials for offenders or lack of discipline at this crucial area. Thirdly, our administrators. Everywhere the trials have been held, each union of grouping (e.g. SANZAR), decides exactly which changes to implement and to what extent. Our present board is filled with individuals who I'm sorry to say do not really understand the game of rugby. Most of them have never played the game to any appreciable level whilst others took sabbaticals of almost ten years from the game at all levels to finally return as administrators. Are these people really in tune with the changes rugby has undergone over the years in order to decide what is good for us and what is not, technically speaking that is? A perfect example is where SANZAR opted not to allow pulling down of mauls since they consider it dangerous whilst their northern hemisphere counterparts will allow it. What would our directors think? Even if the Confederation of African Rugby were to decide a way forward for us, I dredd to imagine who our representative there will be!
I believe a lot of thought and consultation has to given to this even before we decide we are joining the rest of the world. The fact that the changes are to occur mid-season makes it even more of a challenge. August is not far, the process should start immediately!
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Weekly Ramble
The Great Rift Ten-a-Side has come and gone. Impala retained the title against Mwamba which was not surprising. I didn't get a chance to travel down, but I have always enjoyed 10-a-side rugby. The open spaces but with slightly more than 7 players makes it a reasonably paced game. I also believe it enhances our scoring abilities from broken down play.
My ramble this week will be a bit technical and I hope I do not bore you too much. In this I will endeavour to determine possibly why we are so far apart from the rest of the rugby world. In my humble opinion, I believe this great rift in just in patience and organisation of play.
Patience. I believe we do not have the patience to play phases of rugby. We are in a hurry to score, to get to the other end of the pitch, or simply to get away from our goal line that we do not think much about "what next?" Most of our moves and plays do not go beyond that and it is no fault of the players they do not know what to do after that. Anything that happens is effective possibly due to individual and personal initiative and brilliance.
Organisation of play. This has to do with what to do when and who to do it. This is greatly affected by the previous paragraph. Where do players go from the set piece and what do they do once they are there? Many do not know once more and get lost or "do the wrong thing" once they get there. Again, no fault of theirs. They just do not know.
When a team is attacking, they try to disrupt the defence. They have got to be able to play long enough to turn the defence from organised, to disorganised to scattered. Only then will they make their breaks. With our lack of patience and organisation, the exact same thing happens to our offense. We turn from organised, to disorganised and finally scattered. That is where I feel our key problem lies.
Where am I going with this? From the above two paragraphs, it is fairly obvious then that much more time needs to be spent at training. Looking at our national team, when we have time to train before a match, people do not turn up. Two weeks before the game, all of a sudden the coach is overwhelmed by the sheer numbers at training. Two weeks before a game he is trying to work out his final combinations and plays for the game, but the players force him to be selecting players now and dropping others. Maybe it is our disposition as Kenyans being more keen on who was dropped and why as opposed to who made the team and why. Do some players have permanent positions in the team?
My ramble this week will be a bit technical and I hope I do not bore you too much. In this I will endeavour to determine possibly why we are so far apart from the rest of the rugby world. In my humble opinion, I believe this great rift in just in patience and organisation of play.
Patience. I believe we do not have the patience to play phases of rugby. We are in a hurry to score, to get to the other end of the pitch, or simply to get away from our goal line that we do not think much about "what next?" Most of our moves and plays do not go beyond that and it is no fault of the players they do not know what to do after that. Anything that happens is effective possibly due to individual and personal initiative and brilliance.
Organisation of play. This has to do with what to do when and who to do it. This is greatly affected by the previous paragraph. Where do players go from the set piece and what do they do once they are there? Many do not know once more and get lost or "do the wrong thing" once they get there. Again, no fault of theirs. They just do not know.
When a team is attacking, they try to disrupt the defence. They have got to be able to play long enough to turn the defence from organised, to disorganised to scattered. Only then will they make their breaks. With our lack of patience and organisation, the exact same thing happens to our offense. We turn from organised, to disorganised and finally scattered. That is where I feel our key problem lies.
Where am I going with this? From the above two paragraphs, it is fairly obvious then that much more time needs to be spent at training. Looking at our national team, when we have time to train before a match, people do not turn up. Two weeks before the game, all of a sudden the coach is overwhelmed by the sheer numbers at training. Two weeks before a game he is trying to work out his final combinations and plays for the game, but the players force him to be selecting players now and dropping others. Maybe it is our disposition as Kenyans being more keen on who was dropped and why as opposed to who made the team and why. Do some players have permanent positions in the team?
Friday, May 2, 2008
Kenya Cup Takes a Break
Kenya Cup matches take a break this weekend to pave way for the Annual Great Rift Ten-a-Side competition. Most teams will travel for the event and it is perhaps a welcome break from the tough rugby that has been going on for the past 4 months. The rumble and tumble of the crowdedness of the 15-a-side pitch will give way to the open spaces and running associated with 10-a-side events.
The only difference this time is the organisers insistence on there being a 5-man scrum. In the past the beauty of 10's rugby has been the fact that there is a full backline and only three forwards, and no backrow. This gave the teams the flexibility and courage to try out their most outrageous backline moves without cross cover interference. The 5-man packs will slow down the games as teams will tend to put heavier players on the pitch since the scrums and line-outs now become a serious contest.
Impala are the defending champs and I'll call them or Mwamba for the trophy.
The only difference this time is the organisers insistence on there being a 5-man scrum. In the past the beauty of 10's rugby has been the fact that there is a full backline and only three forwards, and no backrow. This gave the teams the flexibility and courage to try out their most outrageous backline moves without cross cover interference. The 5-man packs will slow down the games as teams will tend to put heavier players on the pitch since the scrums and line-outs now become a serious contest.
Impala are the defending champs and I'll call them or Mwamba for the trophy.
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