My take on the 15's Squad Selection

Props
1. Nzioka Muema Impala -Good size, but can he get the mobility required for test level rugby? I think of Richard bands outsprinting backs from half pitch to score a great try for the springboks against the all blacks. Luckily there is lots of time to work on his fitness.

2. Edwin Alubaka KCB - Does not impose himself sufficiently, does not know how to get the most from his size and strenght, hopeless ball presentation skills.

3. Lawrence Terer Impala -Was part of last seasons nakuru pack of devastating forwards, more game time required to make a more informed accessment.

4. David Abenga Impala -Another one from nakuru, Was impressive in his Elgon cup debut but has been a pale shadow of himself at the floodlits

5. Daniel Kiptoo Kenya Harlequins -Super player added more to his ammunition last season, crunching tackling and excellent distribution. Cant think of a weakness. Can teach everyone a thing or two about tackling.

Hookers
6. Vincent On'gera Quins -More accuracy needed in his lineout throws and stronger ball carrying.

7. Simon Warui Nakuru -Don’t know anything about him but comes from an excellent stable “nakuru”

Locks
8. Wilson K'Opondo Mean Machine -Needs to be more explosive and work on his hands otherwise has great potential to take his game to another level.

9. Mike Aung Nondies- Had a forgettable last season, and based on that does not deserve to be on the squad.

10. George Odipo Quins -Needs to work on his concentration on the pitch and also his hands. Excellent ball carrier, but nonexistent in defense.

11. Ronny Mwenesi KCB -Good all round skills, jumping, rucking, defense, hands. Call up has been begging for a while.

Flankers
12. Ken Isindu KCB -Tends to disappear in the games he plays, better carrier than rucker, tackling skills are a bit on the lower end. Needs to bulk up to be more effective. Otherwise an interesting selection.

13. Nick Lang'o Nakuru- Excellent tackler and rucking on and around the base, needs to be more distractive out wide however.

14. David Mogere Quins -Best loosie in the game. 100% commitment to the hit. The ultimate backs nightmare. Needs to however turnover the ball more often after the big hits.

15. Kevin Umbuge Impala -blows hot and cold, If only he could defend as well as he attacks. Lacks concentration on the pitch. Tackling skills questionable.

Eigthmen
16. Lawrence Buyachi Impala -One of the best forwards in ruck play and aggression around the base. However naming him at eightman is a bit too soon considering his only too recent move to the position. I wonder how many games the selectors used to inform their decision.

17. Gray Cullen Nondies -Was brilliant when he played last season, but went off the radar. Needs to play more to get the position back.

18. Duncan Ekasi Impala -Blows hot and cold, nice aggression but tends to get abit overboard should aim to concede less penalties. Needs more gas, tends to take too long to detach from scrums and get to breakdown points.

Scrumhalves
19. Peter Mutai KCB -Needs to take the game more seriously. Needs a lot of strength training, and improve his running game. Good with mixing up things though.

20. Michael Mugo Impala -there is much more to being a scrumhalf than just making your passes. Needs to learn more about his position.

21. Charles Kanyi Nondies -Excellent line breaking scrumhalf. Has an amazing eye for the gap. Can do wonders in a game. Passing the ball under pressure is his weakest link. If only he can work on passing from the base. Only God knows!

Flyhalves
22. Ken Andola Strathmore -Brilliant mind but has to get out off his shell and take control of the backs. Be more assertive on the pitch! Also needs to improve his running game and bulk up.

23. Nato Simiyu Impala -Brilliant runner and passer of the ball, always takes gaps from nowhere. Excellent control and leadership of his backs. His kicking game is the most unpredictable ever and can either win or lose matches. Worst tackler in the business however! Girly tackler.

24. Jotham Yahuma KCB -Good runner and passer, kicking game not so good. Just above average. Does not inspire or poses that creative spark to take control of a game.

Centres
25. Kelvin Omiyo Impala -True boshing centre, amazing strength like an ox. Ball retention and presentation excellent. Should however once in a while offload on the tackle.

26. Bobby Oyugi Nondies -Another excellent player but poor frontal tackling, which is a must for strong centre play.

27. Kevin Gisore Impala -A bulked up Gisore, will take Kenya to rugby heaven. Superb all round skills. Always makes amazing use of the ball. Best all round centre at the moment.

28. Dennis Muhanji Quins -A find from last season. Should work on his killer instinct. Makes breaks but seldom takes them to fruition. He should make an interesting watch this season. Can only get better.

Wingers
29. Felix Ayange Strathmore -Young player should work on his strength, plain runner also. But has good speed and concentration on the pitch.

30. Willaim Ambaka Quins -Have no clue whatsoever who this is.

31. Calvins Biko KCB -fantastic hands, good running lines, but needs to be more unpredictable adding a goosestep, sidestep or handoff to his runs.

32. Graham Kombo Nakuru -Needs to work on his ball carrying and protection skills on contact. Also needs to be more imaginative and expressive on the pitch.

33. Leon Adongo Quins -Needs to take the game more seriously. Build up more passion and hunger to score. Devastating runner.

Fullbacks
34. Vincent Mose Impala -Perfect form last season, but seems to be losing his brilliant counter attack running impetus. Needs strength training.

35. Jay Williams Nondies -The most un-inspired pick for me. Can win or lose a match with his boots and touch-finders. Seems to lose more than he wins them.


My additions.

Hilary Itela – Had a storming came back season. Scored a tone of tries, extremely mobile and with a proper fitness program should be explosive this season.
Frank Ndong – His experience cannot be ignored. Still pushing the game at the highest levels. Superb leadership scrummaging and rucking skills.
Oscar Ouma – this player has gas to burn, a no-nonsense tackler, excellent hands, superb hand off, brilliant steals. Maybe playing at wing at the moment but is the most complete flanking material.
Moses Kola – dependable player, tones of experience, seems to be getting back to full match fitness.


Tackling has and will always be the most important aspect of the game. The whole team save for a few, consists of very weak tacklers, training on this should be a priority area for our coaches. There are always murmurs that tackling training is for beginners. Please someone tell me why the Springboks and All Blacks have numerous tackling drills and sessions. If you cant make a full frontal tackle you are a very weak link on the field.
Another aspect is our own lineout’s, which have seen a lack of variation or mixing up of throws. Uganda had a very interesting variation in last year’s elgon cup which we could not defend against. Our players should be well drilled and work like clock work and aim to steal a good number of opposition balls.
Our defensive formation was also quite shambolic and we leaked tries like clueless babies. But the main chink in the formation was yet again missed or incomplete tackles.
Our coaches have a long time to work on these deficiencies. I do not think that visits by our national team technical bench to club training sessions to work with coaches in eliminating the known shortcomings of selected players would not be welcomed. When it comes to national duty we should all have a common goal.