Dubai 7's Update - Kenya 7 Samoa 12

A bridge too far perhaps, but also as good as we get. Spoken to DM and he'll take it up as I'm now officially on tour! See you in George.

Dubai 7's Update - Kenya 26 Argentina 24

Call it a Houdini, but a win it was.  A dead first half performance almost dumped us out of the event, however a spirited second half come back, with a try at the buzzer secured this win.  The normal ghosts were back, poor kick offs, poor tackling and poor support.

We play Samoa in the Plate Final at 19:04 EAT.

Dubai 7's Update - Kenya 17 New Zealand 21

Well, well, quite an outstanding performance.  And the kick off worked this time.  A shell shocked New Zealand pulled out all the stops to survive this one.  I reserve my comments about the World 7's player of the year and the referree.  Well done boys.  We now drop to the Plate Competition.

We play Argentina at 13.04 EAT.

Dubai 7's Update - Kenya 0 South Africa 31

A non committed performance and our achille's heel, the kick offs saw us fail to challenge in this game. Over confidence in our abilities or just lack of a game plan saw us hand easy points to our opponents.

Tomorrow New Zealand in the Quarter Finals.

Dubai 7's Update - Kenya 38 Scotland 0

Kenya put up and outstanding display of controlled and patient rugby to deny Scotland much needed possession in this game.  Collins Injera had a hat trick of tries and Lavin Asego a brace.  Victor Oduor rounded up the six try rout.  Of the worry areas, the kick off remained a worry but the defence was much better this time round, with no breathing space for the Scots.  

Next match against South Africa at 18:12 EAT.

Dubai 7's Update - Kenya 28 Arabian Gulf 7

The lads barely broke a sweat in this one.  Deadly at the breakdown and on the counter attack.  Areas of concern are kick offs - we did not get a single one, theirs or ours, defence - we let them through too many time, only their lack of support saved us, and support on the big man running side - K'Opondo did too much work on his own.  Otherwise a good game.

Next match against Scotland at 14:32 EAT.

Updates from The Dubai Rugby 7's

Before the main tournament gets underway, some updates from the sideshows here.  There are actually three Kenyan teams in Dubai.  The Watembezi Potbellies f.k.a. Walevi RFC, Kakamega High School and the National Team proper.  The first two teams started off yesterday.  The Potbellies lost all their matches to other veterans sides.  Kakamega High were unlucky in that a transport hitch caused them to miss their first match and give a walkover against Dubai Knights in the International Under 19 category.  They went on to beat Lydenburg Rhinos 19-5 before drawing with Urdd 5 all.  In their last game they beat Pyrenees 26-5.   This morning they have lost 17-12 to Doverie.  

Further updates as they occur.  Standing by for the Kenya vs. Arabian Gulf in 20 minutes.

Update:  Kakamega High in the final against Urdd who they drew with yesterday.

First Attempt,,,Never again

Life in campo isn't fun. I have a CAT today and so its a bit hectic. Anyway this is my first attempt at a post. Just like my botched attempt to play rugby end with my first run, I hope I'll be more of a success here.

I remember the day I decided to play. New boots, mouth guard and a jockstrap. I even contemplated headgear but I though the rest of the team would think I was too chicken so I postponed it for a while. Good idea as little did I know my first training session would be my last.

Leaving hall 13 with other rugge playing engineers I felt like Rokokoko heading to make a debut. Once on the pitch we started off with touch and that was easy cos I stayed on the wing and the ball never got to me despite me being in all the good positions.

When training proper started I immediately walked to the backs. After the interrogation where my wing position was discovered I was benched as the regulars played each other. Watching them I began to dream about all the box mamas screaming my name as I cruised down the wing.

My dream was cut short when the coach (though he didn't impress me much cos all he kept talking was about his new bank job and new car KAZ or something...) shouted "wee porcupine ingis wing na ukimbie".

Porcupine? well I decided I would ignore that for now and show him that this guy is a rabbit who can tare. After five minutes of hanging around I felt it was time to make my mark. The opportunity arose when the fullback joined the line and created a beatiful overlap. I called for the ball, caught it and put 6th gear and took off for the line (the dames in my head were cheering me on).

The big lock whom I suspected was the captain gave chase and I attempted a goose on him. I never saw the other winger cross covering and moments away from my try I must have been hit by a truck as I regained consciousness in the campo clinic.

I could hear them saying "Its only a bruised neck but he'll have to wear a neckbrace for four weeks". Oh no oh no. It cant be me I thought but the sharp pain confirmed it was me. "Pole dadi lakini we poa" said the captain whom I was later to learn was the one who brought me to the clinic.

On more enquiry Nabongo as I was later to learn his name told me that I was tackled ferociusly by the crosscover winger and I flew in the air and landed awkwardly and passed out. That was it and he brought me to the clinic where it was confirmed that my injury was a bruised neck thankfully. 2 + 2 = 4 and that made it an easy decision for me. My rugby career was over and I was to wear a neck brace for 4 weeks.

As we walked back to my room with Nabongo I felt that this was a caring leader and being of his team would have been great. Little did I know I was being set up. The guy on reaching my room decided that I had no more need for my new boots, new mouthguard and even my new jockstrap. The guy really had guts!

And he was gone leaving me bruised, battered, in pain and angry that all he saw in me was opportunity get some label stuff. I checked and I had no credit even to tell my mama to come over from Box. I trully concurred that the rugby pitch wasn't the place for me. I left like Rokokoko and came back feeling Dan van Zyl.

This time round I'm more confident that I'll pass my test as wannabee rugby writer.

Kesho its Supersport. Engineering can take a backseat and good luck to the Ayimba crew in Dubai. Do us proud boys. The send off ya Desert Storm was propa!

Kenya Ready for Dubai

The tenth edition of the IRB World Sevens Series kicks off tomorrow with the Dubai Sevens. This time I believe we have sent a very strong side and our performance should be a measure of our true strenght. That the Sevens World Cup proper is barely three months away means all teams will be at top strength as they try to gear up for that event. As usual I will keep you posted here as much as possible. Our first match is against Arabian Gulf at 9:36 a.m., the second against Scotland at 2:32 p.m. and the last match against South Africa at 6:12 p.m., all times EAT. Of the three it is only South Africa we have never beaten, however, Scotland beat us on our last outing in the last leg of last year's circuit. We wish them well.

The Seriousness That is KRFU

I oft wonder what motivateth a man to work for the KRFU for no pay, unless there is pay we that is not lodged in the annual accounts.  Or maybe the prestige that comes with being a Union Official.  As serious as the Safari Sevens is, apparently there is plenty of time for play.  Or maybe the perquisites of the job as there is no monetary gain.  A reader sent this picture, decide for yourselves.

Kenya 7's Leave for Dubai

The team for the first leg of the IRB World Sevens Series, the Dubai leg has left the country. You can find a brief here. The matches are to be played on Friday 28th and Saturday 29th. We are in Pool B that also has South Africa, Scotland and the Arabian Gulf. Day two qualification into the main cup should not be a problem. I will keep you posted here if you are unable to find the scores elsewhere, barring any technology failure.

Weekly Ramble

Blogging is not as easy at it seems. I begun this blog two years ago and barely got by three odd posts. OK, I was not so busy then and thought I had time to blog, then things changed suddenly and I got extremely busy, not even seeing a computer in days. Then, the aim of my blog was to impart rugby knowledge on the needy, presuming I had the knowledge and some people needed it, but was not being given the opportunity to impart it. Maybe it is my shy, unassertive nature that led to this. Being frequently ignored or shut down in technical rugby discussions was not really fun and I felt, hey, the whole world can hear me, even if the few I am in contact with don't.

Then late last year and early this year, the chaos we all know erupted. I had become an avid follower of blogs since they had more information than you could get in the mainstream media, that as always was seriously compromised. That the blogoshpere is a powerful place was proved during the PEV when mainstream media was shut down by powers that be and were too afraid to report anything that may inflame the situation. Not so the blogs. All manner of filth, insults and open incitement took place here. That the learned and "better off" in society reflected exactly what was going on on the ground may have shown the world that Kenya was really in serious trouble. And there I saw the power of the blog. The voice of the unheard. The true coin, not the double-headed one wielded by the powers that be. And also the fast news breaker. That mainstream media leans to a certain side and has to wait for certain time frames to break news left an opening.

And today, a quarter of a thousand odd posts on, I think I've enjoyed myself. That the human being is political in nature means the best times are coming yet. I thank all my named and un-named visitiors to the blog, some three or four times in a day (Big Fan). Some contributing , others just silent observers. You kept me looking for information and material to post on a regular basis. Even over weekends I was surprised to find people looking for match results, some from very far. To my only other contributor to date, Ruggerbug, though not too regular, it must have been a breath of fresh air to the readers. And Back2Basics, we await your maiden post.

This is not a farewell, but I think the re-birth. The rugby season is over and I don't have much to post about. But I do know there are many people with something to say. I welcome your input, feel free to post in the comments area or write to me rugstory (at) gmail.com and I can post it for you. If you want to be a contributor to the blog, mail me as well. If you have a story to tell, mail me as well. Let us inform the rugby fraternity and the world at large what is really happening to Rugby in Kenya.

Weekly Ramble

I believe that the KRFU are mandated by the clubs to run the affairs of rugby in the country to the satisfaction of all. As part of that mandate, it is expected of the KRFU to sanction various activities that take place. This is to ensure that they take place in an orderly, structured and safe manner. Whether they are to audit such activities remains a topic for another day, but I believe there are some things they should insist on.

Some of these activities may involve local and international tournaments. It is in everyone's best interest that participation in such tournaments is competitive and played to the spirit of the game, otherwise why participate. One of the key identities of the game of rugby is it's competitive nature. The IRB for instance clearly states that for Kenya to maintain its invites to the IRB Sevens Circuit, we must always send the "best available team". This should apply to all teams leaving the country and representing Kenya in whatever activity. Impala have taken a cue from this and will always invite guest players to beef up their strength during their annual tour of Singapore. Testament to their competitiveness has been their continual invites and their being able to also continually convince their sponsor that the trip is worth while. I think Kenya Harlequins need to take a cue from this know what is at stake. Especially since their name contains the word Kenya, there is no mistaking their identity and their source. That they sent a mediocre and lacklustre side to such an auspicious event is not only an embarrassment to themselves, but to us all as Kenyans. The results were not surprising. They should pull up their socks.

I continue to remind us that the Union elections are only three months away. Let us stand up and be counted, not just loose talk in dark corners!

Weekend News

News this weekend was hard to come by. Mwamba made it to the final of the Mak Tens and lost to Heathens of Uganda. Kenya Harlequins were still in Malaysia and lost in the final of the Bowl Competition of the Borneo Tens. There was not much else happening over the weekend and the off season has fully set in.

Kenyan Teams for Uganda Event

Reports have it that a upto six Kenyan sides will travel to Kampala this weekend for the annual Mak Ten-a-side tournament. You can read more about them here. It just goes to show what the allure of a good purse can do. Most of the players are actually jobless and any money they earn goes a long way, even if it is just to buy their mothers a gift or take their girlfriends out for dinner. Just goes to show, that whatever long team plans KRFU have for Rugby in Kenya, it must culminate with the players being able to earn a living from the game.

Weekly Ramble

I don't claim to be a politician, or to be political, but today is really a special day. That one of our own sits at the highest pinnacle of the world is truly a testament that nothing can hold you down. I will let my favorite political blogs expound more on that whilst I relish and cherish the moment. In all this I will contrast, or relate it to Rugby in Kenya.

Why do cliques exist in Kenyan rugby? I have heard it at all levels of the game, people are talked down for belonging to this or that club. What makes one think that anybody's contribution to the game is inferior to one's own? Or that only certain people have the monopoly on ideas for the game? At risk of exposing myself, I recently had a one-on-one chat with the coach of the National Sevens team and it was quite enlightening. Apparently in Kenya, only people selected by a certain individual participate in certain programs. Only certain people play certain roles within the union. That this individual surrounds himself with incompetents is either a shield for his own incompetence, or a short yardstick to measure his own brilliance. What came out of this chat was that there are "tried and tested" methods to achieve aims, then there is the "maverick" or out of the box method. That the latter is looked down on in favor of the former means we are restricted to things that have worked for others, but may not work for us. And that is Kenyan rugby. This club and its members are bad for the game, avoid them at all costs, make them feel uncomfortable, do not include them in any aspect of the game and frustrate them to high end.

Well, election time is round the corner and I wait to see those bold enough to step up to bat. Maybe I will, and maybe I can, but I surely will try. Let us not apply stereotypes and stigmatise individuals by the brush we paint them with, as opposed the strength of their abilities. And personally, I think we need a change to take us to the next level. Sevens are there, let us get people who understand what rugby is about in its entirety.

Weekend Wrap Up

It looks like KCB stepped in to fill the void left by Mwamba and have won the Kabeberi Sevens. With that they also secured second place in the circuit. Nakuru came third.

In Kuala Lumpur Quins fell out in the Bowl Semi finals against SA Mustangs and failed to win any honours.

In Singapore Impala lost in the pre-quarter final stage against Randwick. They went on to play in the plate competition and lost in the final against Thai Barbarians.

Kudos once more to our Sevens team for qualifying for the World Cup. This surely would be time for the Government to step in with some solid support.

Kenya Qualify for World Cup

Kenya beat Zimbabwe 26 12 in the final to qualify. Tunisia are the third qualifier.

Wrap Up

Impala have played their three preliminary matches in Singapore, winning against Singapore Cricket Club 24-5 and Indonesia Barbarians 41-0. They have lost to SA Vipers 0-50. They play in the second round tomorrow. By contrast Quins have lost to Hamilton 0-27 and to North Harbour 10-34. They have beaten the COBRA Barbarians 32-0. They drop to the Bowl Competition.

Kenya have beaten Senegal 24-19 in Tunis to qualify on top of their group. They will meet the second placed team from the other pool later today in the semi finals.

Kabeberi Sevens

Going into the last leg of the circuit, Mwamba are run away leaders with 62 points. Nakuru are a distant second with 46 and KCB just behind with 44 points. With a maximum 20 points at stake here, it is clear that only an exceptionally sloppy performance by Mwamba that would make them fail to garner a mere 4 points (achieved by qualifying for the quarter finals) would give only Nakuru a chance at the title, so I think they can pop the champagne already. I don't see the second and third being challenged as Impala who are in fourth position are away in Singapore (I will post the results here) and for Strathmore to challenge they need to get to the semi finals by knocking out one of the two sides.

Keep it here for latest results from the Sevens Qualifiers, from Singapore and Malaysia (where Quins are touring).