Kenya has so far beaten Tunisia II 45-0 and Namibia 31-12. We play Senegal later then Uganda in our last and toughest match of the day, then Semi finals tomorrow.
UPDATE: We have beaten Uganda 31-0. We play Senegal tomorrow morning then await the semis. We're in a good position now. Only 3 teams qualify for the World Cup so that's both finalists and the best loser in the Semis (me-thinks, unless there's a 3rd, 4th playoff).
Friday, October 31, 2008
Sevens World Cup Qualifiers
The games have commenced in Tunis,Tunisia. Withdrawals by several teams has seen the event have only 9 teams participating. The strongest in Africa remain though so it is still quite a contest. Kenya has been grouped in Pool A with Uganda, Namibia, Senegal and Tunisia B, included to create an even 5 teams per pool so number of games is the same for all teams in the preliminary round. Pool B has Tunisia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Madgascar and Botswana. Though Kenya are the top seeds, countries like Zimbabwe and Tunisia have structures that match ours and have actually showed us up in the last two season during the IRB circuit. I would not write off Madagascar, Zambia and Namibia either, all teams that have in the past pushed us to the edge.
I'm a bit worried due to the timing of this event. The last qualifiers were held about two weeks after Safari Sevens and found our players at their peak, fresh from the IRB Sevens Circuit. This year many did not even play in the opening two legs of the National Sevens Circuit.
We remain behind them all the way.
I'm a bit worried due to the timing of this event. The last qualifiers were held about two weeks after Safari Sevens and found our players at their peak, fresh from the IRB Sevens Circuit. This year many did not even play in the opening two legs of the National Sevens Circuit.
We remain behind them all the way.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Kabeberi Sevens Draw
The draw for this weekend's Kabeberi Sevens is as below.
I will post the standings shortly. The battle though is only for second position. With the National Team away in Tunisia for the World Cup Qualifiers, the tourney is further weakened by Quins and Impala who are away in Malaysia and Singapore respectively. Three teams, Mwamba and the above two will thus field basically second string sides for the event. Maybe it will give some players a chance for exposure.
| POOL A | POOL B | POOL C | POOL D |
| KCB | NAKURU | MWAMBA | MACHINE |
| USIU | NONDIES | STRATHMORE | IMPALA |
| QUINS | KCA | NAZARENE | DAYSTAR |
| CATHOLIC UNI | M.MULIRO | MOI UNI | BLAKBLAD |
I will post the standings shortly. The battle though is only for second position. With the National Team away in Tunisia for the World Cup Qualifiers, the tourney is further weakened by Quins and Impala who are away in Malaysia and Singapore respectively. Three teams, Mwamba and the above two will thus field basically second string sides for the event. Maybe it will give some players a chance for exposure.
Kenya 7's in Tunisia
The team is in Tunisia for the Rugby World Cup Sevens Qualifiers. The matches are on tomorrow and Saturday. We wish the team well. The squad is as below.
Humphrey Kayange (captain), Collins Injera, Lavin Asego, Horace Owiti (Mwamba), Biko Adema, Benedict Nyambu (Nondescripts), Brian Nyikuli, Naftaly Bondo, Innocent Simiyu (Impala), Dennis Mwanja (Kenya Commercial Bank, assistant captain), Gibson Weru (Nakuru RFC). Officials are Benjamin Ayimba (coach), Felix Ochieng (assistant coach), Oscar Osir (team manager), George Odhiambo (physiotherapist), Geoffrey Kimani (sprints coach).
If you ask me I don't know what a sprints coach is doing on the technical bench. Never seen it before in my life. I'm trying to imagine the half time talk of one minute with even the sprinting being analysed, lol.
Humphrey Kayange (captain), Collins Injera, Lavin Asego, Horace Owiti (Mwamba), Biko Adema, Benedict Nyambu (Nondescripts), Brian Nyikuli, Naftaly Bondo, Innocent Simiyu (Impala), Dennis Mwanja (Kenya Commercial Bank, assistant captain), Gibson Weru (Nakuru RFC). Officials are Benjamin Ayimba (coach), Felix Ochieng (assistant coach), Oscar Osir (team manager), George Odhiambo (physiotherapist), Geoffrey Kimani (sprints coach).
If you ask me I don't know what a sprints coach is doing on the technical bench. Never seen it before in my life. I'm trying to imagine the half time talk of one minute with even the sprinting being analysed, lol.
Monday, October 27, 2008
National Sevens Circuit - Week 3
With Mwamba managing to get to the semi finals of the Christie Sevens over the weekend, they have all but retained the National Sevens Circuit. It needed a Nakuru win to ensure that the points difference was not too great going into the last leg next weekend, however it was not to be so. Now Mwamba only need to get to the quarter finals of the Kabeberi Sevens to secure the title. I'm sure they will have stocked up on champagne as it is next to impossible for them to fail in this task.
You can read reports of the weekend games here and here. Mine, as always is the extra comment. My ramble last week elicited various responses and opened up a debate that I was not starting, team vs. individual. The arguments were all fair and I do not believe I have changed my stance. That Nakuru completely crumbled in the final should be a pointer to what I was driving at. However I realised one thing over the weekend. The fact that a player is not outstanding does not mean he is not a good player! The player may have wide ranging skills and may be the cog that turns the wheel (from inside) but not be recognised or feted. Some of these players have better general skills than the "stars" we all admire. What I also noticed is that there is a tremendous amount of talent in this country. In the three weekends of the circuit various teams have grown in leaps and bounds and it is quite obvious that all they want is to play rugby. They do not have that opportunity to play it regularly and hence the hunger, and it is for the Union to provide for them playing opportunities. The mandate of the union is to promote and encourage the playing of rugby in the country. I believe it is upto them to recognise the lack of opportunity and address this, but I digress, this is not my weekly ramble.
It is pretty clear that what is at the end of the rainbow plays a major role in the motivation of players. The players are amazingly fit, and are working really hard at their skills. To join the "Virgin boys" as they are known seems good enough motivation. What can be done to motivate the "fat boys" is my poser for now?
You can read reports of the weekend games here and here. Mine, as always is the extra comment. My ramble last week elicited various responses and opened up a debate that I was not starting, team vs. individual. The arguments were all fair and I do not believe I have changed my stance. That Nakuru completely crumbled in the final should be a pointer to what I was driving at. However I realised one thing over the weekend. The fact that a player is not outstanding does not mean he is not a good player! The player may have wide ranging skills and may be the cog that turns the wheel (from inside) but not be recognised or feted. Some of these players have better general skills than the "stars" we all admire. What I also noticed is that there is a tremendous amount of talent in this country. In the three weekends of the circuit various teams have grown in leaps and bounds and it is quite obvious that all they want is to play rugby. They do not have that opportunity to play it regularly and hence the hunger, and it is for the Union to provide for them playing opportunities. The mandate of the union is to promote and encourage the playing of rugby in the country. I believe it is upto them to recognise the lack of opportunity and address this, but I digress, this is not my weekly ramble.
It is pretty clear that what is at the end of the rainbow plays a major role in the motivation of players. The players are amazingly fit, and are working really hard at their skills. To join the "Virgin boys" as they are known seems good enough motivation. What can be done to motivate the "fat boys" is my poser for now?
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Christie 7's Results
KCB beat Nakuru 24 12 to win the event. The Mwamba reserves did not live up to the challenge but did enough to almost secure the circuit trophy.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Christie Sevens Draw
The draw for the third leg of the Wester Union National Sevens Circuit is as below.
The National Team Players will not be in their teams and Mwamba is the most depleted side. Let's see who steps in to fill the gap.
| POOL A | POOL B | POOL C | POOL D |
| MWAMBA | STRATHMORE | NAKURU | NONDIES |
| MACHINE | IMPALA | KCB | QUINS |
| KCA | DAYSTAR | BLAKBLAD | USIU |
| METHODIST | HEATHENS | CATHOLIC | NAZARENE |
The National Team Players will not be in their teams and Mwamba is the most depleted side. Let's see who steps in to fill the gap.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Weekly Ramble
Events of these past few weeks and in general this year have left me wondering one major thing. Are we headed in the right direction? As much as I'm a fifteen a side rugby die hard, one cannot escape the reality that the seven a side version is a real spectator spectacle. With the sheer speed and athleticism displayed, and the lack of slow rolling mauls and the likes, it is just what the casual spectator paid for. That there is so much space on the pitch and such few people also makes the infringements relatively few and far apart, making for a fast flowing specatacle. Maybe the ELV's looked at this aspect, in terms of making the game more spectator friendly but the question in my mind is are we turning the fifteens game into sevens or vice versa?
The performance of Mwamba in the circuit has left many speechless at the least. That they are so far ahead of everyone in this version says a lot for the individual abilities of the players, in particular their main playmakers. It makes me wonder if sevens is a team sport or an individual game. Names like David Campese, Eric Rush, Waisale Serevi, Amasio Valence, William Ryder, and closer home, Sammy Khakame and Lavin Asego come to mind. These players could single handedly win a sevens match for a team. Can the same be said of the fifteen a side code? Of course there are the Jonah Lomus, Johnny Wilkinsons and Dan Carters, but how decisive is their influence? Is it interesting that Mwamba are not as dominant in the longer game as they are in the short one? Is it a case like Fiji? Let us for a second contrast this with New Zealand, dominant in both codes. I really can't tell. However, it seems pretty clear that sevens is good for developing individual talent and skill, whereas you cannot survive the fifteens code without depending on your team mates. And that should be the way to go. For ten years we have concentrated on sevens without thinking through the progression to the fifteens code and for this we are struggling. Here I will raise some hackles. Contrast Uganda and Quins. Uganda have abandoned the sevens path and are concentrating on the fifteens. Their 7's now sucks. Same for Quins.
Have a good week.
The performance of Mwamba in the circuit has left many speechless at the least. That they are so far ahead of everyone in this version says a lot for the individual abilities of the players, in particular their main playmakers. It makes me wonder if sevens is a team sport or an individual game. Names like David Campese, Eric Rush, Waisale Serevi, Amasio Valence, William Ryder, and closer home, Sammy Khakame and Lavin Asego come to mind. These players could single handedly win a sevens match for a team. Can the same be said of the fifteen a side code? Of course there are the Jonah Lomus, Johnny Wilkinsons and Dan Carters, but how decisive is their influence? Is it interesting that Mwamba are not as dominant in the longer game as they are in the short one? Is it a case like Fiji? Let us for a second contrast this with New Zealand, dominant in both codes. I really can't tell. However, it seems pretty clear that sevens is good for developing individual talent and skill, whereas you cannot survive the fifteens code without depending on your team mates. And that should be the way to go. For ten years we have concentrated on sevens without thinking through the progression to the fifteens code and for this we are struggling. Here I will raise some hackles. Contrast Uganda and Quins. Uganda have abandoned the sevens path and are concentrating on the fifteens. Their 7's now sucks. Same for Quins.
Have a good week.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Mwamba Take Driftwood
Once more Mwamba were head and shoulders above all and took the Driftwood 7's Rugby Tournament with relative ease. They were barely tested, save for the semi final, but were commanding in their display of 7's rugby. You can read match reports here and here and here. This week, a change in my weekly ramble based on what I have seen in 7's so far. Techonology failure prevented me from updating this blog the whole weekend, my sincere apologies.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Driftwood Draw Released
The draw for this weekend's action is as below.
Quite a straight forward draw based on the points taken in during last weekend's action in Nakuru. Pools C and D seem the toughest, but with the evening out of the playing field by the removal of the part time rugby players, all seeded teams should easily make it to the quarter finals. The only thing will be re-alignment to see who plays who, or rather avoids Mwamba.
See you at the Rica!
| POOL A | POOL B | POOL C | POOL D |
| MWAMBA | IMPALA | KCB | NAKURU |
| STRATHMORE | MACHINE | QUINS | NONDIES |
| JKUAT | KCA | BLAKBLAD | USIU |
| DAYSTAR | NAZARENE | MOMBASA | M.MULIRO |
Quite a straight forward draw based on the points taken in during last weekend's action in Nakuru. Pools C and D seem the toughest, but with the evening out of the playing field by the removal of the part time rugby players, all seeded teams should easily make it to the quarter finals. The only thing will be re-alignment to see who plays who, or rather avoids Mwamba.
See you at the Rica!
Weekly Ramble
Just a revisit of a past post by Ruggerbug but with a different twist to it this time. Though it seemed a largely rhetorica question at the time, events that have taken place since adds credence to that post. A few things we have harped upon seem to have found the right ears, however, maybe we need to find all the ears that are required. Two main things for today.
Firstly the Union, my favorite whipping boys. For some reason the Union feels it is obliged to do the clubs' bidding, but only sometimes. When it suits them. I have mentioned this before, by allowing the clubs to make the decision on how the season should be structured, they have abdicated their responsibilities. You can not sit round a table with both Masinde Muliro University and KCB having a single vote in deciding the season structures. That KCB will lose 4-8 players every time the National team is in session and the entire lot of Masinde Muliro are the spectators (not even having a league match of their own to play) leaves many questions. That was one situation where they should have wielded the big stick so to speak and made the decision. It is increasingly clear that the union has no vision for fifteen a side rugby as this is the code mostly affected. Clubs have learned to do without their sevens players by developing their own depth but the fifteens is a different, with so many specialist positions involved. It is imperative if not absolutely essential that our league follows the "Worldwide Structured Season". This structure recognises the clubs as the key developers of players and would like them to spend as much time as the club needs them at the clubs.
As we talk about sevens and the importance the union attaches to it, let's not forget our National Sevens Circuit. Sold to the clubs (unilaterally, no one was asked to choose) as a forum to develop and select talent for the national side, this has since paled as compared to the actual. The bait to the clubs was that the winner would represent Kenya Clubs in the annual Safari Sevens. That has now been shelved. This year's circuit is the biggest farce. The RWC 7's qualifier falls bang in the middle of the circuit. This means the team is already selected. This also means that the National team players will not play for a major part of the circuit. This greatly dilutes the circuit. It also greatly weakens some teams, who will lose upto 4 players (out of 7!). With some (meagre) prize money at stake, why should some clubs be weakened when going for this prize? Was the circuit really necessary this year? With player fatigue and an attempt to correct our structure, this would have been the ideal time to re-structure the season. But NO! We have a sponsor. What does he sponsor? The Union or the self same suffering clubs. That many clubs in the country are self supporting is no secret. That the union steals sponsors from these same clubs is also not a secret. With such ridiculous prize money on offer, how then are the teams to fund their activities. I won't even venture into the hosting of the events. After KRFU has "sold" whatever is saleable by the clubs, they get, once more, a meagre 300k as compensation. That the KRFU ran away from the responsibility of hosting one round on their own should be a pointer as to the difficulties involved in hosting such a tournament. I was not to go there, I digress, as usual.
And finally the clubs. When are we going to put our collective foot down and say enough is enough. The IRB seem happy with our top brass, but realistically speaking, are we? Do they do our bidding or are they a law unto themselves? Do they listen to our suggestions or act with impunity? And if we are not happy with them, why are we happy with ourselves not putting up a challenge? Not challenging means content and that is our failing. Nobody wants to take the mantle up, nobody believes in their own leadership abilities, nobody wants to be in the rifle sights, nobody wants to make the difference. Yet we all bitch and whine in bars and dark corners, surely! If we're not ready to do any of the above and are content, let us just shut up, tuck in our jerseys and play, which we don't take very seriously either. Do have a good week.
PS: Forgive my Monday post for seeming "untogether", I was still recovering from the weekend party. Can there be a successful rugby event that is not a party?
Firstly the Union, my favorite whipping boys. For some reason the Union feels it is obliged to do the clubs' bidding, but only sometimes. When it suits them. I have mentioned this before, by allowing the clubs to make the decision on how the season should be structured, they have abdicated their responsibilities. You can not sit round a table with both Masinde Muliro University and KCB having a single vote in deciding the season structures. That KCB will lose 4-8 players every time the National team is in session and the entire lot of Masinde Muliro are the spectators (not even having a league match of their own to play) leaves many questions. That was one situation where they should have wielded the big stick so to speak and made the decision. It is increasingly clear that the union has no vision for fifteen a side rugby as this is the code mostly affected. Clubs have learned to do without their sevens players by developing their own depth but the fifteens is a different, with so many specialist positions involved. It is imperative if not absolutely essential that our league follows the "Worldwide Structured Season". This structure recognises the clubs as the key developers of players and would like them to spend as much time as the club needs them at the clubs.
As we talk about sevens and the importance the union attaches to it, let's not forget our National Sevens Circuit. Sold to the clubs (unilaterally, no one was asked to choose) as a forum to develop and select talent for the national side, this has since paled as compared to the actual. The bait to the clubs was that the winner would represent Kenya Clubs in the annual Safari Sevens. That has now been shelved. This year's circuit is the biggest farce. The RWC 7's qualifier falls bang in the middle of the circuit. This means the team is already selected. This also means that the National team players will not play for a major part of the circuit. This greatly dilutes the circuit. It also greatly weakens some teams, who will lose upto 4 players (out of 7!). With some (meagre) prize money at stake, why should some clubs be weakened when going for this prize? Was the circuit really necessary this year? With player fatigue and an attempt to correct our structure, this would have been the ideal time to re-structure the season. But NO! We have a sponsor. What does he sponsor? The Union or the self same suffering clubs. That many clubs in the country are self supporting is no secret. That the union steals sponsors from these same clubs is also not a secret. With such ridiculous prize money on offer, how then are the teams to fund their activities. I won't even venture into the hosting of the events. After KRFU has "sold" whatever is saleable by the clubs, they get, once more, a meagre 300k as compensation. That the KRFU ran away from the responsibility of hosting one round on their own should be a pointer as to the difficulties involved in hosting such a tournament. I was not to go there, I digress, as usual.
And finally the clubs. When are we going to put our collective foot down and say enough is enough. The IRB seem happy with our top brass, but realistically speaking, are we? Do they do our bidding or are they a law unto themselves? Do they listen to our suggestions or act with impunity? And if we are not happy with them, why are we happy with ourselves not putting up a challenge? Not challenging means content and that is our failing. Nobody wants to take the mantle up, nobody believes in their own leadership abilities, nobody wants to be in the rifle sights, nobody wants to make the difference. Yet we all bitch and whine in bars and dark corners, surely! If we're not ready to do any of the above and are content, let us just shut up, tuck in our jerseys and play, which we don't take very seriously either. Do have a good week.
PS: Forgive my Monday post for seeming "untogether", I was still recovering from the weekend party. Can there be a successful rugby event that is not a party?
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Guest Post
This came by e-mail from a rugby supporter. It is along the lines we have been writing all along. We wish the game well.
Sport Finance : Rugby on high but pitfalls ahead
One cannot faill to appreciate the sponsors who are falling over themselves to put money in rugby. The last few months have seen Zain, PostaPay and now western Union really pump in money into the game. The KRFU coffers have indeed looked good yet the clubs have remained poorer in general.
Prize money not withstanding there actually has been no real benefit to the clubs who have or are taking part. By the end of the season most of them will actually be in red while the KRFU will smile in the black.
The main reason for this is the lackof effective consultation beween the parent body and the clubs when it comes to matters of finance and ownership of players. The players story will come in later when the circuit is about to end and you'll see why.
Clubs aside do the sponsors really get value for money or like all other sponsors they learn a painful lesson and never come back to the sport or if they do they come back through the backdoor like Coca-Cola who are now actively supporting Kulabu or for those not familar with that name Mwamba.
Lets do a bit of elementary mathematics and I call it mathematics and not commerce or accounts.
1. Zain
Sponsorship -
Disbursements
UPCOUNTRY TEAMS
1. Mombasa - Kshs. 100,000.00
2. Nakuru - Kshs. 100,000.00
3. Uganda Kobs - Kshs. 100,000.00
4. Uganda Pirates - Kshs. 100,000.00
LOCAL TEAMS
1. KCB - Kshs. 70,000.00
2. Mean Machine - Kshs. 70,000.00
3. Kenya Harlequins - Kshs. 70,000.00
4. Mwamba - Kshs. 70,000.00
5. Nondies - Kshs. 70,000.00
6. Strathmore - Kshs. 70,000.00
7. Impala - KShs. 70,000.00
PRIZE MONEY
1. Winner - KShs. 250,000.00
2. Runners Up - Kshs. 125,000.00
Total To Clubs - 1,265,00
Balance - 1,235,000
Commission Agent nets 375,000 leaving KRFU with 860,000.
Kshs 860,000 was not used on the Zain Tournament. so where did it go ? or to whom?
2. PostaPay
Sponsorship - 1,000,000
Prize Money - 300,000
Comission Agent - 150,000
Misc - 50,000
Balance - 500,000
On balance, same question as above.
3. Western Union
Sponsorship - 3,500,000
Prize money overall winners - 200,000
Host Clubs - 300,000 x 4 = 1,200,000
Misc - 200,000
Commission Agent - 525,000
Balance - 1,375,000
On balance, same question as above.
Looking at the above one simply wonders whether sponsors actually get value for money or is it really worth as club eg Mwamba, Mombasa, Nakuru or Machine to take part in KRFU's money minting ventures. Impala, Nondies and Quins are just rich and selfish clubs. Sponsors will go to support other games like secondary school games.
One could honestly mistake the KRFU money minting ventures as a pyramid scheme.
Mafans, I leave the rest to you to wonder in amazement.
As buildings in Kenya collase due to poor foundations. so will the real mwananchi rugby clubs in the near future.
Diehard Kulabu fan.
Monday, October 13, 2008
NSC Week 1
The weekend was quite one to behold. Despite the rust showing in most of the players, the matches were pretty exciting. Mwamba emerging tops was no surprise to many but the competition was clear to see. It was just surprising that Impala who should have had the longest time training for this event failed to sparkle. Despite Mwamba being head and shoulders above the rest, what was very clear was their lack of depth. With rumours that the national team players will be withdrawn from their teams and play as the national team for the next leg of the circuit will leave them severely exposed. Some teams however showed remarkable depth with the new players being introduced to the public. That some sides are even able to "loan" players to other teams for the duration of the circuit it testament to their depth.
That a circuit people have waited for so anxiously is about to be watered down should be a cause of alarm for clubs and their management. With the little prize money at stake for the crown, should be cause enough for them to be difficult. That the circuit will not be used to select the National Team should also have been a reason to defer the circuit to next year and work on re-structuring the league format. That no one cares for the clubs is pretty much clear today.
That a circuit people have waited for so anxiously is about to be watered down should be a cause of alarm for clubs and their management. With the little prize money at stake for the crown, should be cause enough for them to be difficult. That the circuit will not be used to select the National Team should also have been a reason to defer the circuit to next year and work on re-structuring the league format. That no one cares for the clubs is pretty much clear today.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Prinsloo Sevens Day 1
Qualifiers for the main cup quarter finals are Quins, KCB, Impala, Machine, Mwamba, Strathmore and Nakuru. I've missed one qualifier and I will confirm it shortly. Highly rated Uganda failed to make the cut from the pool of death. Pairings are as names except for the last team I'm missing. Semi Final pairings will be up after the Quarter finals.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Nakuru Prinsloo Sevens
| POOL A | POOL B | POOL C | POOL D | POOL E | POOL F |
| MWAMBA | IMPALA | NAKURU | KCB | BLAKBLAD | STRATHMORE |
| USIU | DAYSTAR | JKUAT | MACHINE | NONDIES | QUINS |
| MASINDE MUL | NAZARENE | KABARAK | KCA | EGERTON UN | |
| KIMATHI UNI | R.BUFFALOES | ELD EXILES | BUNGOMA R | CATHOLIC U | MT KENYA UN |
The draw is as above. Seeding for the pools is based on final standings during last year's Sevens Circuit. The non participating teams are drawn randomly in the pools. The top team in each pool will qualify for the main cup quarter finals, and then the best two second placed teams. It is pretty easy to see that the Pool of Death is Pool F. The second placed team will even be hard put to have scored the tries they need to be considered the "best second". The rest of the seeded teams should have an easy first day and sail into the quarter finals with ease.
With a whole 30 points at stake for this leg, it is bound to be the most competitive. The winner will be head and shoulders above the rest, poised for victory in the circuit. Mwamba have a very good team and should be the team to watch. Impala however have not had any competitive rugby in three weeks and will for sure have been spending every minute training for this event. Strathmore have always been spoilers and KCB remain a force to reckon with. I would not want to write Quins off once more, but I think the luck of the draw was against them. The survivor of that pool may even be too tired to compete effectively the next day.
All the best to the teams. My money on Mwamba.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Weekly Ramble
The past three weeks has seen a flurry of activity on the Rugby front. Sponsors seem to be falling out of the skies to support rugby. Zain started the flood, followed by Posta and now Western Union. Kenyan Rugby does seem to be attracting sponsors, finally. I dont know if it is the appointment of a General Manager that has put the house in order, or the directors are finally pulling the strings they hold in various corporate institutions. Whatever the case we are one step in the right direction. The only thought in my mind then is what is the cost of sponsoring the leagues and is it reachable? Going by the figures bandied around for the current three events, it must be an astronomic amount! The league runs the longest and offers the most visibility. Perhaps to adequately sell it to a sponsor we also need to go back to having a grand final for the leagues. All leagues world wide have turned to this format as it is the culmination and the sponsors day in the sun!
The National Sevens Circuit commences this week. For some reason, the Prinsloo Sevens is a twenty four team event while the other three are 16 team events. In the IRB circuit, there is one 24-team event, the Hong Kong Sevens. That the Hong Kong Sevens is one of the most competitive legs of the circuit is not in doubt. The organisers ensure that they invite top sides that increase the competition and hence warrants the awarding of more points for this leg of the circuit. And that there are seven other legs, it is possible to claw back from a mishap in this event. The KRFU have decided that for the Prinsloo Sevens, more points will be at stake. Notwithstanding the fact that teams the likes of Methodist University, Kabarak University, Eldoret exiles and numerous other "social" rugby sides will take part, I personally do not see it as a more competitive event. The matches are fewer (per team) and the competiton lousy. A twist of fate with the luck of the draw as well as the ever controversial system of determining "best losers" could lock out a couple of very good teams as well as allow through some sub-standard sides into the main competition. Add to that that there are only four rounds in the tournament and you can see that the winner of the event will have a clear, nearly unassailable, ten-point lead going into the last three rounds! I aver that the points distriubution should remain the same as there is no justification for "more points".
See you all in the Rift Valley this weekend.
The National Sevens Circuit commences this week. For some reason, the Prinsloo Sevens is a twenty four team event while the other three are 16 team events. In the IRB circuit, there is one 24-team event, the Hong Kong Sevens. That the Hong Kong Sevens is one of the most competitive legs of the circuit is not in doubt. The organisers ensure that they invite top sides that increase the competition and hence warrants the awarding of more points for this leg of the circuit. And that there are seven other legs, it is possible to claw back from a mishap in this event. The KRFU have decided that for the Prinsloo Sevens, more points will be at stake. Notwithstanding the fact that teams the likes of Methodist University, Kabarak University, Eldoret exiles and numerous other "social" rugby sides will take part, I personally do not see it as a more competitive event. The matches are fewer (per team) and the competiton lousy. A twist of fate with the luck of the draw as well as the ever controversial system of determining "best losers" could lock out a couple of very good teams as well as allow through some sub-standard sides into the main competition. Add to that that there are only four rounds in the tournament and you can see that the winner of the event will have a clear, nearly unassailable, ten-point lead going into the last three rounds! I aver that the points distriubution should remain the same as there is no justification for "more points".
See you all in the Rift Valley this weekend.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Quins Sweep Grandslam
Both Harlequin sides put up match winning performances to win both the second and first division Grandslam trophies. There was nothing impressive or outrightly brilliant in their performances, but they did just what is required to win the matches and with it a combined purse of Ksh. 300,000.00. The focus will now shift to the Sevens Circuit that begins with the Prinsloo Sevens in Nakuru this weekend.
Friday, October 3, 2008
The Grandslam
The game is tomorrow and I'd say a whole lot of people are looking forward to it. Despite my previous post that the game means nothing, talking to a few players here and there and from media reports, both teams want the trophy badly. Add to that the winner-take-all situation where only the winner will pocked a cool Ksh. 200,000.00 and that is ample motivation. The billing of the game to see who is better may also play a role. Rugby aside, some points.
Since Kenya Harlequins broke the stranglehold Nondescripts had on the Kenya Cup in 1995, they have always believed they are the best rugby team in Kenya. They do not always play like they talk and the records show otherwise, but this attitude has earned them lots of enemies and have always been the team to hate, leave alone beat. Their wins of the top cups, the Kenya Cup and the Enterprise Cup have been few and far in between and one really wonders why they are the top billed side in the country. They are largely inconsistent and are a mystery as to what makes them tick. The reverse is true of Nakuru. They have always been the underdogs. Ferocious at home, but feeble away. They have no major trophy to show for the past 45 years save this year's Enterprise Cup. That they were drawn on the tough side of the draw and they survived to win is a testimony to their will and reslience. In that path, they put away Impala, who had put away Quins, KCB and Mwamba, all undoubtedly the top sides in country. Only one of these teams escaped their direct path and they have a chance to put that right tomorrow.
Onto the pitch. For the past 5 years, Nakuru and Quins have been very close. They formed the Rhinos franchise that won the inaugural Rugby Super Series and remained in that franchise for three years. Only the past two have seen them in their own franchise. What does this mean? The two sides play very similar rugby. There is heavy reliance on forward play to set up the platforms for the backs to run in the tries. I thus expect a major forward battle. The difference between these sides is based on the Rhinos franchise once more. Quins use their front 4 as the ball carriers and battering rams, whilst Nakuru will use their back 4 more. This may prove the deciding factor in the forwards battle as Quins will be able to recycle the ball faster and move it around more. However, the backline is quite a different kettle of fish. The Nakuru backs are running very incisive lines and penetrating the opposing backs quite often. They also have very good finishers on the wings and will convert any quarter chance they get. I put them over the Quins backs. The challenge will be for Quins to deny quality possession to Nakuru to limit their backline. I see many tries in this game, some boring, some exciting and I'm afraid to call the winner. I'd say Nakuru by less than a score!
Since Kenya Harlequins broke the stranglehold Nondescripts had on the Kenya Cup in 1995, they have always believed they are the best rugby team in Kenya. They do not always play like they talk and the records show otherwise, but this attitude has earned them lots of enemies and have always been the team to hate, leave alone beat. Their wins of the top cups, the Kenya Cup and the Enterprise Cup have been few and far in between and one really wonders why they are the top billed side in the country. They are largely inconsistent and are a mystery as to what makes them tick. The reverse is true of Nakuru. They have always been the underdogs. Ferocious at home, but feeble away. They have no major trophy to show for the past 45 years save this year's Enterprise Cup. That they were drawn on the tough side of the draw and they survived to win is a testimony to their will and reslience. In that path, they put away Impala, who had put away Quins, KCB and Mwamba, all undoubtedly the top sides in country. Only one of these teams escaped their direct path and they have a chance to put that right tomorrow.
Onto the pitch. For the past 5 years, Nakuru and Quins have been very close. They formed the Rhinos franchise that won the inaugural Rugby Super Series and remained in that franchise for three years. Only the past two have seen them in their own franchise. What does this mean? The two sides play very similar rugby. There is heavy reliance on forward play to set up the platforms for the backs to run in the tries. I thus expect a major forward battle. The difference between these sides is based on the Rhinos franchise once more. Quins use their front 4 as the ball carriers and battering rams, whilst Nakuru will use their back 4 more. This may prove the deciding factor in the forwards battle as Quins will be able to recycle the ball faster and move it around more. However, the backline is quite a different kettle of fish. The Nakuru backs are running very incisive lines and penetrating the opposing backs quite often. They also have very good finishers on the wings and will convert any quarter chance they get. I put them over the Quins backs. The challenge will be for Quins to deny quality possession to Nakuru to limit their backline. I see many tries in this game, some boring, some exciting and I'm afraid to call the winner. I'd say Nakuru by less than a score!
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Weekly Ramble
The fifteen aside season is basically over and all the laurels have been won. The so called Grandslam/Supremacy Cup is a sham to me as it means nothing. Who really cares which team, the Kenya Cup Champion and the Enterprise Cup Champion wins? What does that game mean? That one team is the best in Kenya this season? That one team has not had any game for four weeks while the other has had three tough games in the same period adds to my feelings. What is the true value of this match. That it was hurriedly added to the fixtures when one director was able to squeeze some sponsorship from his company just shows what it is actually worth. Money in KRFU's coffers! Clubs were not consulted about it's inclusion and about the varying of the fixtures for the umpteenth time without regard to clubs commitments made on the back of "confirmed fixtures" from the KRFU shows the contempt with which the KRFU treats clubs. But that was not my topic for today.
I think it was a largely successful season. Many a betting person would have lost loads of money this season and that is the way it should be. A quick wrap up (from my failing memory). Mwamba won the Impala Floodlit Tournament, KCB oops Lions won the Super Series, Quins won the Kenya Cup and Nakuru won the Enterprise Cup. It is clear there was no dominance by any one team throughout. The early pace setters lost it along the way and I think the most consistent teams were rewarded this time round. Quins' silent and steady assault on the Cup left many, myself included, not considering them as title contenders until too late, especially after losing three of their first four games of the season. And Nakuru also defied all odds to put up a disciplined and orderly campaign for the Enterprise Cup. At this point I will spare a thought for the second division. Whilst I don't comment much on this, the past 3 or so years has seen a lively duel between primarily two sides, Quins and KCB. Between them they have swept all the trophies this season and meet once more in the Grandslam. Perhaps for them it will truly be a battle of who is the better team, though that is only for the moment. This may be a pointer of which teams to watch for the future.
To the National team. Firstly I think the clubs have failed themselves and the team by failing to adjust the season to fit the World Wide Structured Season. We will thus have the same problems of player fatigue, poorly conditioned players, etc. I think it is unfair to expect a player to train for his club and the National team at the same time. Something has to give, and most often it is the player. Next, a word of advice to the technical team (if they ever take it). STOP SELECTING PLAYERS. Do it once and forget about it. Concentrate on building the team, the systems and structures. Forget the 7's players. Build other players. With time there will be an abundance of players for all to share. With such a large and experienced technical team, you are well equipped to TRAIN any side YOU select. And for heaven's sake, stop excuses like we were poorly conditioned.. like we did not know it! Third, the players. Conditioning is primarily your responsibility. DO IT. Look at the coaches to impart knowledge, skill and tactics. Not watching you do sit ups like you don't know how to do them yourself. Lastly, the union. Get a life, please. Patting oneself on the back is like wanking. It is selfish and self gratifying. You tend to become a loner and fail to interact properly with other people, after all you don't need them in your life. This threatens your ability to form lasting partnerships and impacts on your appreciation of others. What do I mean? You will only be openly criticised when things go bad so acknowledge the criticism and work with it. Hurling insults and offering self glorifying analyses won't wash. After all, the "best" team in the world has only won the inaugural Rugby World Cup (21 years ago). Take a leaf from their approach this year as it only takes one bad performance to kill a Nation's dreams. And that is what you are responsible for!
I think it was a largely successful season. Many a betting person would have lost loads of money this season and that is the way it should be. A quick wrap up (from my failing memory). Mwamba won the Impala Floodlit Tournament, KCB oops Lions won the Super Series, Quins won the Kenya Cup and Nakuru won the Enterprise Cup. It is clear there was no dominance by any one team throughout. The early pace setters lost it along the way and I think the most consistent teams were rewarded this time round. Quins' silent and steady assault on the Cup left many, myself included, not considering them as title contenders until too late, especially after losing three of their first four games of the season. And Nakuru also defied all odds to put up a disciplined and orderly campaign for the Enterprise Cup. At this point I will spare a thought for the second division. Whilst I don't comment much on this, the past 3 or so years has seen a lively duel between primarily two sides, Quins and KCB. Between them they have swept all the trophies this season and meet once more in the Grandslam. Perhaps for them it will truly be a battle of who is the better team, though that is only for the moment. This may be a pointer of which teams to watch for the future.
To the National team. Firstly I think the clubs have failed themselves and the team by failing to adjust the season to fit the World Wide Structured Season. We will thus have the same problems of player fatigue, poorly conditioned players, etc. I think it is unfair to expect a player to train for his club and the National team at the same time. Something has to give, and most often it is the player. Next, a word of advice to the technical team (if they ever take it). STOP SELECTING PLAYERS. Do it once and forget about it. Concentrate on building the team, the systems and structures. Forget the 7's players. Build other players. With time there will be an abundance of players for all to share. With such a large and experienced technical team, you are well equipped to TRAIN any side YOU select. And for heaven's sake, stop excuses like we were poorly conditioned.. like we did not know it! Third, the players. Conditioning is primarily your responsibility. DO IT. Look at the coaches to impart knowledge, skill and tactics. Not watching you do sit ups like you don't know how to do them yourself. Lastly, the union. Get a life, please. Patting oneself on the back is like wanking. It is selfish and self gratifying. You tend to become a loner and fail to interact properly with other people, after all you don't need them in your life. This threatens your ability to form lasting partnerships and impacts on your appreciation of others. What do I mean? You will only be openly criticised when things go bad so acknowledge the criticism and work with it. Hurling insults and offering self glorifying analyses won't wash. After all, the "best" team in the world has only won the inaugural Rugby World Cup (21 years ago). Take a leaf from their approach this year as it only takes one bad performance to kill a Nation's dreams. And that is what you are responsible for!
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