THIS WEEKEND 2 AUGUST

THIS WEEKEND 2 AUGUST

02.08.2008

New Zealand 39, Australia 10 in Auckland (Bledisloe Cup and Tri Nations)

New Zealand won by 29 points. I predicted New Zealand by 13.

Reviews

What an amazing turnaround from last weekend! This week New Zealand won a mass of turnover ball. Last week it was Australia who won in this department. This week it was New Zealand who was hungry for the ball and played with minimal error rate. Last week it was Australia who played with passion and was determined to win. For such a switch in fortunes has left the Australians bewildered whilst the All Blacks are cock-a-hoop. A try in the eightieth minute also secured a vital bonus point for the Kiwis.

2008 TRI NATIONS Updated 02.08.2008
Points: Win = 4, Draw = 2, Loss = 0; Bonus points-Loss by 7 or less=1, Scoring 4 or more tries=1
05.07.2008	NEW ZEALAND	19	SOUTH AFRICA	8	WELLINGTON		P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	BPT	BPL	PT
12.07.2008	SOUTH AFRICA	30	NEW ZEALAND	28	DUNEDIN	NEW ZEALAND	4	2	0	2	105	82	23	1	1	10
19.07.2008	AUSTRALIA	16	SOUTH AFRICA	9	PERTH	AUSTRALIA	3	2	0	1	60	67	-7	1	0	9
26.07.2008	AUSTRALIA	34	NEW ZEALAND	19	SYDNEY *	SOUTH AFRICA	3	1	0	2	47	66	-16	0	1	5
02.08.2008	NEW ZEALAND	39	AUSTRALIA	10	AUCKLAND *
16.08.2008	NEW ZEALAND		SOUTH AFRICA		CAPETOWN
23.08.2008	AUSTRALIA		SOUTH AFRICA		DURBAN
30.08.2008	AUSTRALIA		SOUTH AFRICA		JOHANNESBURG
13.08.2008	NEW ZEALAND		AUSTRALIA		BRISBANE*

* Also Bledisloe Cup

Previews

The pressure is on New Zealand. Not for over a decade has New Zealand lost three test matches in a row. Australia roll onto Eden Park later today to what will surely be a grand opportunity to rub Kiwi soil into an open wound following their comprehensive 34-19 win over their Australasian cousins last weekend. However, there are none more savage beast than an All Black side with its back against the wall and what also will be a savagely patriotic crowd in the stands at Eden Park. The Australians will be the enemy and will have to play out of their skins to defeat a New Zealand side in this mood.

Other Articles

http://www.planetrugby.com/Story/0,18259,3551_3894713,00.html

Last Five Encounters

26.07.2008 Australia 34-19 in Sydney (Bledisloe Cup and Tri Nations)

21.07.2007 New Zealand 26-12 in Auckland (Bledisloe Cup and Tri Nations)

30.06.2007 Australia 20-15 in Melbourne (Bledisloe Cup and Tri Nations)

19.08.2006 New Zealand 34-27 in Auckland (Bledisloe Cup and Tri Nations)

29.07.2006 New Zealand 13-9 in Brisbane (Bledisloe Cup and Tri Nations)

Last Five Encounters on Eden Park, Auckland

21.07.2007 New Zealand 26-12 (Bledisloe Cup and Tri Nations)

19.08.2006 New Zealand 34-27 (Bledisloe Cup and Tri Nations)

03.09.2005 New Zealand 34-24 (Bledisloe Cup and Tri Nations)

16.08.2003 New Zealand 21-17 (Bledisloe Cup and Tri Nations)

24.07.1999 New Zealand 34-15 (Bledisloe Cup and Tri Nations)

Note: Australia has not defeated New Zealand at Eden Park since 1986.

GWC Rugby Rankings: World Table-Australia 1^st, New Zealand 3^rd CHANGE

Oceania Table-Australia 1^st, New Zealand 2^nd CHANGE

Teams

New Zealand

15 Mils Muliaina

14 Richard Kahui

13 Conrad Smith

12 Ma'a Nonu

11 Sitiveni Sivivatu

10 Daniel Carter

9 James Cowan

8 Rodney So'oialo

7 Richie McCaw (captain)

6 Jerome Kaino

5 Alistair Williams

4 Bradley Thorn

3 Gregory Somerville

2 Andrew Hore

1 Tony Woodcock.

Replacements

16 Keven Mealamu

17 John Afoa

18 Anthony Boric

19 Adam Thomson

20 Piri Weepu

21 Stephen Donald

22 Richard Kahui.

Head Coach: Graham Henry

Australia

15 Adam Ashley-Cooper

14 Peter Hynes

13 Stirling Mortlock (Captain)

12 Berrick Barnes

11 Lote Tuqiri

10 Matthew Giteau

9 Luke Burgess

8 Wycliff Palu

7 George Smith

6 Phil Waugh

5 Nathan Sharpe

4 James Horwill

3 Alistair Baxter

2 Stephen Moore

1 Benn Robinson

Replacements

16 Tatafu Polota-Nau

17 Matthew Dunning

18 Daniel Vickerman

19 Hugh McMeniman

20 Samuel Cordingley

21 Ryan Cross

22 Drew Mitchell

Head Coach: Robbie Deans

AFRICA CUP AND WORLD CUP QUALIFYING TABLES

AFRICA
ROUND 1: 4 Pools Format-Round Robin Updated 04.08.2008
POOL A: Seeding-Namibia, Zimbabwe, Senegal
14.06.2008	NAMIBIA	13	SENEGAL	10	DAKAR		P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	PT
02.08.2008	NAMIBIA	35	ZIMBABWE	21	WINDHOEK	NAMIBIA	2	2	0	0	48	31	+17	4
TBA	SENEGAL		ZIMBABWE		HARERE	SENEGAL	1	0	0	1	10	13	-3	0
						ZIMBABWE	1	0	0	1	21	35	-14	0
POOL B; Seeding-Ivory Coast, Morocco, Zambia
14.06.2008	MOROCCO	29	ZAMBIA	18	LUSAKA		P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	PT
12.07.2008	IVORY COAST	32	ZAMBIA	9	ABIDJAN	IVORY COAST	2	2	0	0	53	18	+35	4
02.08.2008	IVORY COAST	21	MOROCCO	9	CASABLANCA	MOROCCO	2	1	0	1	38	39	-1	2
						ZAMBIA	2	0	0	2	27	61	-35	0
POOL C: Seeding-Kenya, Tunisia, Cameroun
14.06.2008	TUNISIA	16	CAMEROUN	12	YAOUNDE		P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	PT
12.07.2008	KENYA	76	CAMEROUN	8	NAIROBI	TUNISIA	2	2	0	0	60	27	+33	4
02.08.2008	TUNISIA	44	KENYA	15	TUNIS	KENYA	2	1	0	1	91	52	+39	2
						CAMEROUN	2	0	0	2	20	94	-70	0
POOL D: Seeding-Uganda, Madagascar, Botswana
14.06.2008	UGANDA	27	BOTSWANA	10	GABORONE		P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	PT
12.07.2008	MADAGASCAR	45	BOTSWANA	15	ANTANNARIVO	UGANDA	2	2	0	0	59	32	+27	4
02.08.2008	UGANDA	32	MADAGACSAR	22	KAMPALA	MADAGASCAR	2	1	0	1	67	47	+20	2
						BOTSWANA	2	0	0	2	25	72	-47	0

Namibia, Ivory Coast, Tunisia and Uganda qualify for Africa Round 2 to be played in 2009

Namibia 35, Zimbabwe 21 in Windhoek (WCQ Africa R1, Pool A)

Namibia won by 14 points. I predicted Namibia by 48.

Reviews

http://www.namibiasport.com.na/?q=node/4895

Previews

http://www.zimbabwerugby.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=521:Dawson%20confident%20of%20victory%20over%20Namibia&catid=50:July%202008&Itemid=112

“This weekend sees the National Rugby team, the Sables, in action against Namibia, in Windhoek, in a qualifying game for the Rugby World Cup 2011. The Sables are grouped in a pool with Namibia and Senegal and the winner of this group goes forward to the last 4 to find a qualifier for 2011. So far, the Namibians narrowly beat Senegal in Dakar, whilst the tie between Zimbabwe and Senegal had been postponed to a date in August. Of significant importance to the development of the Sables is the 66 000 Canadian dollar sponsorship deal for kit between Konno, in Canada, and the Sables. The first batch of this excellent sportswear arrived recently and the Sables will be kitted out accordingly.

Coach, Brendon Dawson, back from a week long spell with the Sharks in South Africa, is really buoyant about the team’s prospects this weekend. The pack in particular looks to present formidable opposition. Stalwart “Rocky” Guramani anchors the front row with 2^nd rows in the form of Dustin Wilcox and UK based Arthur Mate. The loose trio presents an exciting line up with Norman Mukondiwa at 8^th man and Jacques Leitao and Fortune Chipendu as flankers. The pack bench includes rooky, Devon Esbach, but also veterans Denford Mutangadura, Prayer Chitenderu and German based Costa Dinha.

Expect a pacy back line with Donald Magenje and exciting prospect Danny Robertson as the half-back pairing. Crash centre Paul Stark links up with Wes Mbanje (who makes a welcome return to the Sables) in the centre pair with fireworks expected from the back three in Gerald Sibanda, Alex Ndangana and Cleopas Makatose. Manasa Sita and Gardiner Nechironga on the bench provides for impact player options.

The team arrives in Windhoek on Thursday evening and returns Monday lunchtime”

Official Zimbabwe press release

Last Five Encounters

25.09.2004 Namibia 68-8 in Windhoek (CAR Div.1, Pool C South)

29.06.2002 Namibia 42-30 in Bulawayo (WCQ Africa R3, South; CAR Div.1)

14.07.2001 Namibia 19-15 in Windhoek (Africa Championship, South)

07.07.2001 Zimbabwe 27-26 in Harare (Africa Championship, South)

22.07.2000 Namibia 41-34 in Windhoek (Africa Championship, South)

Note: Zimbabwe last won in Windhoek in 1996.

GWC Rugby Rankings: Africa Table-Namibia 2^nd, Zimbabwe 8th

Teams

Zimbabwe

15. Cleopas Makatose (Capt)

14. Gerald Sibanda

13. Wesley Mbanje

12. Peter Stark

11. Alexander Ndangana

10. Daniel Robertson

9. Donald Magenje

8. Norman Mukondiwa

7. Jacques Leitao (V/Capt)

6. Fortune Chipendu

5. Arthur Mate

4. Dustin Wilcox

3. Rocky Guramani

2. Raymond Dzvairo

1. Peter Joubert

Replacements

16. Devon Esbach

17. Gardiner Nechironga

18. Prayer Chitenderu

19. Costa Dinha

20. Thlou Kitumetsi

21. Denford Mutangadura

22. Manasa Sita

Head Coach : Brendon Dawson

Thanks to Losson Mtongwisa, Manager, Zimbabwe Rugby Team

Namibia

15 Chrysander Botha

14 Luwayne Kotzee

13 Du Preez Grobler

12 Tinus Venter

11 Llewellyn Winkler

10 Jaco van Zyl

9 Eugene Jantjies

8 Jacques Burger

7 Tinus Du Plessis

6 Jacques Nieuwenhuis (captain)

5 Nico Esterhuyse

4 Wakazuvara Kazombiaze

3 Jane Du Toit

2 Hugo Horn

1 Johnny Redelinghuys

Replacements

16 Shaun Esterhuizen

17 Carlo Campbell

18 PJ van Lill

19 Gawan Esterhuisen

20 Jurie van Tonder

21 Godwin Walters

22 Bradley Langenhoven

Head Coach: John Williams

http://www.newera.com.na/page.php?id=8441&category=sports

Ivory Coast 21, Morocco 9 in Casablanca (WCQ Africa R1, Pool B)

Ivory Coast won by 12 points. I predicted Morocco by 7.

Reviews

http://www.lematin.ma/Actualite/Journal/Article.asp?idr=114&id=96008 (In French)

Previews

Both these teams rely on a heavy contingent of France-based players, Morocco more so than Ivory Coast. Both teams have defeated Zambia so this match will decide the winner of Pool B. Morocco has the advantage of the home venue.

Last Five Encounters

07.10.2006 Morocco 23-7 in Casablanca (WCQ Africa R2, Group A; Africa Cup Group A)

17.06.2006 Drawn 9-9 in Adidjan (WCQ Africa R2, Group A; Africa Cup Group A)

27.03.2004 Morocco 11-6 in Casablanca (CAR Div.1, Pool A (North))

01.06.2003 Morocco 18-16 in Abidjan (CAR Div.1, Pool A)

01.06.2002 Morocco 23-21 in Casablanca (WCQ Africa R3, North; CAR North 1)

Note: Ivory Coast last defeated Morocco in 1993 and has never defeated Morocco in Casablanca.

GWC Rugby Rankings: Africa Table-Ivory Coast 6^th, Morocco 7th

Teams NA

Tunisia 44, Kenya 15 in Tunis (WCQ Africa R1, Pool C)

Tunisia won by 29 points. I predicted Tunisia by 7.

Reviews

Result from http://rugbykenya.blogspot.com/2008/08/kenya-vs-tunisia.html

Previews

Both teams have played Cameroun. Kenya won easily against a dispirited Cameroun side that had a very difficult and late trip to Nairobi. The match had to be postponed to the Sunday. Tunisia had to struggle to defeat the same team in Yaounde so not much can be read into the Kenya result. The home team has a big advantage in African matches as can be seen from the last World Cup qualifying matches these two teams took part in.

CRUNCH TIME FOR KENYA IN TUNISIA

1st August 2008

Kenya plays Tunisia in a crunch Pool C match of the 2011 Rugby World Cup qualifiers on Saturday 2nd August 2008.

The winner of this match will proceed to the next stage in which all the four group winners will battle it out for the available one slot.

Michael ‘Tank’ Otieno, a former Kenya full-back has said this is the biggest match of his career. Good with the boot and a slippery runner in his hey days, Otieno will need extra qualities to wade through the Tunisian waters.

The coach boarded the Tunisia-bound plane minus five experienced players – Lavin Asego, Daniel Kiptoo, Joel Ng’ang’a, Allan Onyango and Frank Ndong. But Otieno admitted it was always a tricky balancing act because availability of the players was unpredictable.

From the pool, he has managed to select the best with Nakuru prop Lawrence Buyachi making his belated entry after a fine performance during the Bamburi Super Series and his club. Buyachi joins his captain Vincent Mose, Ferdnand Ngaira and Cyprian Shimenga. It is a chance for the new players to blossom and become regulars.

Innocent Simiyu agrees. “Most of us were given a chance when some of the players were unavailable. Buyachi has potential to be a quality player,” he noted. Some of the big boots he will be trying to fill belong to Frank Ndong, Joel Ng’ang’a and Daniel Kiptoo. Ndong has a nagging knee injury and Ong’era will be starting his examinations on the day of the match.

Two South Africa coaches Hendrik Johannes Bekker and Greg Douglas Hetcher were in Nairobi to hone the skills of the players. Their expertise has helped. “They added some technical details and added variety to attack and defence,” the coach admitted.

The players were upbeat ahead of the match. Jude Thumbi, the leading point’s scorer in the Kenya Cup League says it is all in the mind. “We have to stamp our authority early in the match and sustain the pressure,” he said. Nakuru RFC forward Ferdnand Ngaira expressed the same sentiments. “There is no holding back and everybody given a chance to play must give their best,” he commented.

Simiyu noted preparations have been good and players were committed. “We played a very good build up match against Kenya A on Sunday. Every player is focused to achieve the vision of reaching the 2011 Rugby World Cup which is within our reach judging by the body language in training, consistency, seriousness and an initiative by the KRFU to bring in coaches from South Africa to beef us up technically.

The South African coaches helped us in the weak areas, which was in the rucks and defence. They also brought a lot of organization in ruck situations, defence and simplified our attack so that we conserve energy and score when the chances come. It is this edge that we need to move to the next level.

I do forsee us being a strong team and doubt that Tunisia and Uganda will be able to match us,” the captain added.

In the match against Cameroon, there were some departments that appeared vulnerable. These have been rectified. “Defence lacked and every player must fall back to defend and love being with the ball for the duration of the match.

Tunisians maybe big but rugby is not about size. Cameroon forwards were also bigger than our forwards but with the right technique size is relative. There is a chance that Tunisia will overpower us in the forwards but if we spread the game and raise the intensity in the first 20 minutes then we will have a better chance of winning. It will be about endurance and who is much fitter. Tunisia will go for pound to pound and be physical. But we can wear them down,” Simiyu commented.

Players who have been called in to fill the slots of the absent players would be keen to impress and keep the jerseys. “Some of us made their debut against Cameroon in 2002 and without a doubt it has helped build our career. The surprise player in the team maybe Nakuru’s Lawrence Buyachi who has all that it takes to be a quality forward,” Simiyu explained.

The squad: Vincent Mose, Lawrence Buyachi, Cyprian Shimenga, Ferdnand Ngaira (Nakuru RFC), Biko Adema (Nondescripts RUFC), Wilson K’Opondo (Mean Machine), Innocent Simiyu - captain -, Paul Oimbo (Impala), Derrick Wamalwa, Paul Murunga, Peter Mutai, Anthony Ogot, Frankline Amiani, Derrick Wamalwa (Kenya Commercial Bank), Paul Okech, George Mbaye, Horace Otieno, Humphrey Kayange, Collins Injera (Mwamba), Jude Thumbi, George Odipo, Kennedy Gikaru, David Gitau (Kenya Harlequin FC).

Officials: Michael ‘Tank’ Otieno (head coach), Edward Kinyany (assistant coach), Wangila Simiyu (team manager), Christopher Makachia (physiotherapist).

Released by KRFU Media & Communications

Previous Encounters

23.09.2006 Tunisia 31-12 in Tunis (WCQ Africa R2, Group B; Africa Cup Group B)

10.06.2006 Kenya 25-21 in Nairobi (WCQ Africa R2, Group B; Africa Cup Group B)

21.05.2005 Kenya 37-15 in Nairobi (CAR Div.1, Pool C)

20.09.1997 Tunisia 52-5 in Tunis (WCQ Africa Round B)

GWC Rugby Rankings: Africa Table-Kenya 5^th, Tunisia 10th CHANGE

Teams

Tunisia squad

Housseïn Haffar

Sabri Gmir

Amor Mezkar

Nasreddine Hammami

Zied Hlaïli

Mohamed Riahi

Abbès Kerfani

Jaloul Hali

Lotfi Ben M'sallem

Haïthem Chelly

Aymen Gloulou

Seïfeddine Hassouna

Lotfi M'hedhbi

Kaldoun Mlayah

Saber Ben Charrada

Mohamed Garali

Sami Limam

Ahmed Guerbech

Amine Gharsallah

Arbi Koundi

Amara Dridi

Anouar Ben Nahila

Mohamed Ali Kochlef

Sahbi Mathlouthi

Slim Sallem

Aymen Sehili

Khaled Regdhane

Mohamed Ben Hmida

Kaïs Aïssa, Mokhtar Ktari

Yusri Soughir

Rabi Nafla

Imed Fhal

Taïeb Bouaziz

Azaïez Kassar

Mahmoud Khadraoui

Ahmed Souissi

Akram Aouamri

Sabri Ben Hcine

Walid Mankai.

http://fr.allafrica.com/stories/200807230402.html

Kenya squad

Biko Adema (Nondescripts RUFC)

Frankline Amiani (Kenya Commercial Bank)

Lawrence Buyachi (Nakuru RFC).

Kennedy Gikaru (Kenya Harlequin FC)

David Gitau (Kenya Harlequin FC)

Collins Injera (Mwamba)

Humphrey Kayange (Mwamba)

Wilson Kopondo (Mean Machine)

George Mbaye (Mwamba)

Vincent Mose (Nakuru RFC).

Paul Murunga (Kenya Commercial Bank)

Peter Mutai (Kenya Commercial Bank)

Ferdnand Ngaira (Nakuru RFC).

George Odipo (Kenya Harlequin FC)

Paul Oimbo (Impala)

Paul Okech (Mwamba)

Anthony Ogot (Kenya Commercial Bank)

Horace Otieno (Mwamba)

Cyprian Shimenga (Nakuru RFC).

Innocent Simiyu (Impala, captain)

Jude Thumbi (Kenya Harlequin FC)

Derrick Wamalwa (Kenya Commercial Bank)

Head Coach: Michael Otieno

http://www.kenyarfu.com/

Uganda 32, Madagascar 22 in Kampala (WCQ Africa R1, Pool D)

Uganda won by 10 points. I predicted Madagascar by 7.

Reviews

http://www.sundayvision.co.ug/detail.php?mainNewsCategoryId=7&newsCategoryId=129&newsId=642561

FOUR TEAMS GO TO ROUND TWO 2009

Press release from Kenya RFU

Uganda is through to the next round of the Africa Zone 2011 Rugby World Cup qualifiers after muscling past Madagascar 32-22 in Kampala in a Pool D tie.

Also through is Tunisia who stunned Kenya 44-15 in Tunis in Pool C. Cote d”Ivoire upset Morocco 21-9 away in Casablanca to qualify while Namibia edged out Zimbabwe 35-21 to sail into the semis.

In Kampala, Uganda weathered early pressure from the Makkis who pinned their hosts in their half 10 minutes in what was a repeat of the Africa Cup final last year which Uganda won 42-11 in Antananarivo.

Namibian referee Jacky Hussleman flashed four yellow cards – three to Madagascar players – as the match threatened to get out of control. Uganda left winger Felix Lubega was the victim of a foul play by his opposite number Jacquot Harinirina who was lucky to escape with a yellow card. Lubega got a nasty knock and will be out for a while.

Lubega threatened as early as in the seventh minute when he powered his way through the Madagascar backs after a good exchange with scrum-half Anthony Kinene and fly-half Edmond Tumusiime. He was fouled in the 23 and Kinene knocked over the resultant penalty.

Three minutes later, Madagascar Jose Rakoto Harrison missed a drop goal attempt. He made another unsuccessful attempt in the 13^th minute as the Makkis took control of the game and surprisingly their ground in the forwards where they were beaten hands down by Uganda last year.

Harrison was always the live wire in the Madagascar backs and often weaved his way through the Uganda backs at will spreading the passes to fleet-footed winger Alain Rakotonirina who combined well with his two centres Bienvem Mananjarasoa and his captain Noe-Mboazafy Rakotoarivelo.

Harrison leveled the scores in the 16^th minute with a penalty infront of the posts from 30 metres out. They best chance in this half was in the 19^th minute when a good run by their backs just failed short of the line. Sleek ball handling by Harrison, Manajarasoa, Rakotoarivelo and Rakotonirina often threatened the Uganda backs.

Kinene and Harrison both missed a penalty in a space of three minutes and when Uganda opted for a scrum after being awarded a penalty in the 29^th minute, a try was imminent but the Makkis defended with their lives and heaved a sight of relief when the referee awarded them a penalty, which they kicked for touch.

Eight minutes before the end of this half, a good drive by the forwards saw Kinene pop the ball on the blind for Lubega to score the first try for Uganda. Kinene converted from the touchline, redeeming himself after missing two kickable penalties. On the stroke of half time, Harrison put over a penalty for Madagascar who trailed by just four points at half time.

Forty seconds in the second half, Lubega bolted off like lightening and scored the second try for Uganda, which Kinene converted for a 17-6 lead. It was his last action as he was bumped off by Harinirina who was yellow-carded.

With two players out, Makkis defended well. Harrison put over his third penalty in the 44^th minute but two minutes later, Kinene also booted over a penalty to restore Uganda’s 11 point lead.

This was the turning point of the game as Allan Musoke chased a high ball in the 50^th minute to score. Madagascar had their second best chance of scoring when Harrison initiated a run from his own half before passing to Rakotoarivelo and Mananjarasoa but they were stopped short of the line.

Rakotoarimanana came from the ‘sin-bin’ to score two tries and bring the game within reach for Madagascar who trailed by three points. But, super substitute Steven Ogwete called the shots with a try in the 32^nd minute. Kinene converted before being rested for Philip Karumuna.

Madagascar coach Camille Ratsima said Uganda raised the intensity in the second half which assured them of the win. “We did well in the first half and held on in the forwards where they had a big advantage. I am satisfied because the score does not reflect the real situation on the pitch.

There was a time we had two players out but those who remained covered well. It is always hard to win away matches and we wish Uganda well in the next round,” the coach said.

Yayiro Kasasa his opposite number admitted Uganda struggled in the first half after being sucked into Madagascar’s game. “It was tough and exposed us in the first half where they dominated. Our defence is still leaking and our kicks for touch fell short,” he commented.

To Uganda’s David Dobela who is the Uganda Rugby Football Union technical director, discipline and character won the day. “I was surprised they were able to hold us in the forwards,” the South African said. He has one word for the players and that is to hit the gym.

Several players have been put on notice and needed something special to retain their jerseys. John Musoke, the Uganda captain said there was pressure from the under-23 and 19 players who are itching for a chance to don the senior team’s jersey. “We started off badly and definitely it was not the best performance. They were organized upfront in the first half and took something special to break that. Once we did, it was easy,” the captain explained.

Released by KRFU Media and Communications

Previews

Uganda has a very good record against Madagascar and has won on the island in the last two outings. Last year the Ugandans humiliated the Madagascans 42-11 in the capital, an event that causes the wildly enthusiastic locals to fume over. It will be a very hard match.