Rugby: Rombo’s steps could inspire current stars

The mindset of the amateur Kenya rugby player has to change to cope with the demands of the professional game. Eddie Rombo, a high school boy 30 years ago, was a pioneer in England for the current crop of talent being exported abroad

1984 was the year, when in 1949, George Orwell predicted in his famous novel that the world would be in perpetual war, under omnipresent government (‘Big Brother’) surveillance and public manipulation.

Orwell miscalculated; because that, actually, happens now. Thirty years ago was bliss in fact. Today is when we need CCTV to shadow us and spot criminals and terrorists.

But we are sports people and, mostly we look back at where we were in 1984 and where we are now. In rugby, for example, the Kenya national team owes its strides to gaining international standards to Tusker, the flagship beer of East Africa Breweries Limited (EABL), the sponsors. Is it by mere chance?

Kenya Breweries Limited’s managing director is John Muganda. In the George Owell’s year, 1984, Muganda was a sort of schoolboy hero; captain of the Nairobi School Sevens that won all the top seven-a-side tournaments of that year – the RFUEA (Rugby Union of East Africa), the John Andrews Memorial and the Junior Sevens. Muganda’s school also reached the final of the XVs Prescott Cup, but were edged out by Rift Valley Academy (RVA).

Rugby is obviously a great marketing tool for Tusker, but for the game to benefit from the beer money, it helps, perhaps, that Muganda takes into account his rugby roots when Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) come pitching their case at Ruaraka.

In the ‘Kenya Rugby Year Book, 1984’, typical of school style, single names list the triumphant best schools sevens’ team in the country then, reading: 1984 Nairobi ‘Patch’ School Sevens - Muganda (captain), 2. Rombo, 3. Kimwele, 4. Aswani, 5. Wambugu, 6. Onyango, 7. Munyi, 8. Saidi, 9. Ariwi. Coach – Frank Ngaruiya.

Rombo, of course is Edward; to date the most talented rugby player Kenya has ever exported. He landed a professional contract at Rugby League’s Leeds Rhinos to play alongside some of the world’s best including legendary All Black full back John Gallagher.

Rombo had negotiated in his contract for time-off to study law at Leeds University. Thirty years after Rombo’s and Muganda’s exploits at Nairobi School, some of Kenya’s rugby players are playing at such a high level that the demand on them for top class professionalism is high.

Going through Rombo’s steps could inspire them to greatness and success in another profession after their playing days.

When he went to Leeds, Rombo was a complete amateur in a professional set-up, uncharted territory when he had to deal with teething problems. But within no time he was one of the greats in the game. Well known to be invited in a celebrity running race (see picture on this page) involving icons such as Martin Offiah, described as the most famous rugby league player the British game has ever produced.

In his book, Offiah My Autobiography, Offiah says things that reflect a lot the attitude of many Kenya amateur players and which they need to discard if they really want to be world class; aspects that Rombo overcame to play on the same league with the likes of Offiah.

Says Offiah of his days at Bedford, a Union club (perhaps in the Kenyan mould) that he played for: “I found that there are players in Union whose skills aren’t high enough and don’t have sufficient commitment – and if everyone isn’t giving 100 percent it’s detrimental to the whole squad.”

Rombo succeeded. He took just a short time to change the mindset; from the typical Kenyan approach to face the demands of the top flight.

Meanwhile, this is a look back to some of the highlights of Rombo’s school days – 1984:
.1984 Harlequins’ (Blackrock) Easter Festival: This was an annual highlight for the rugby community; where everybody was AT, during Easter.

On Easter Saturday and Sunday, Quins organised a popular tournament which attracted huge crowds at the Rugby Football Union of East Africa (RFUEA) Ground.

Winning the ‘Blackrock’ could make for a successful year even if you did not win anything else the whole season. Many touring teams came to Kenya during Easter, traditionally giving the Quins’ event an international flavor. In 1984, the visitors were Muscatt RFC of the Arabian Gulf. Quins won their ‘Blackrock’ event.

Results: Semi-finals - University of Nairobi Mean Machine 14-7 Barclays Bank; Mwamba 0-4 Harlequins. Final - Harlequins 20-6 UoN Machine.

After victory, there was much celebration by Quins who did not enjoy much success during the era of the Nondies/Mwamba hegemony. But this time Quins had for once a very exciting team especially including some quick backs with wicked side-steps and jinks in Dave Reid, Beth Omolo and Frank Ngaruiya.

The acclaim then was that it was the most thrilling Quins team ever. It was: Backs - Wycliffe Mukulu, Dave Reid, Beth Omolo, Jackson Omaido, Frank Ngaruiya, Steve Gachie, Shadrack Odhiambo, Sammy Ndegwa; Forwards - Chris Onsotti, Stan Ramogo, James ‘Arrest’ Mwenda, Charlie Ang’awa, Terry Light, Shelly Arensen, Frank Abukutsa, Dan Smith, Fred Oduor, and Jerry Clayton.

In the ‘Kenya Rugby Yearbook, 1984’, the picture of this Quins’ side, whose only silverware was the ‘Blackrock’ Trophy, is captioned: “The Most Exciting team of the Year”

1984 Enterprise Cup Final:
Nondescripts 19-10 Mwamba
In five straight previous meetings, Nondies had beaten Mwamba and the White Shirts were to make it six on a trot (Mwamba’s first Enterprise Cup title came the following year). Beginning in 1978 -- the formation of Mwamba – for 10 years Kenya rugby rivalry was all about Nondescripts and Mwamba.

This time, Mwamba led 4-0 (try was four points those days) and their back rowers Tom Oketch, Frank Ojiambo and Dave Mshila were making the early running in loose play, combining with scrum half Peter Belsoi. Their centers Pritt Nyandatt and Jim Owino defended well when Nondies scum half Paul Kier let into attack his half back partner Dave Evans and his line comprising also Bruce Evans, Ken Sagala and Adam Thompson. Sagala was to supply the first Nondies’ reply, going over for the try.

But as always, Nondies’ strength was the execution in specialised positions. At line-outs, Arthur Kibisu was in command. On the set-scrum young, but strong prop Johnny Yakas steadied the ship as he was also excellent in open play.

Sagala and Dave Evans were to add on the other Nondies points as Walter Nyandiko replied for Mwamba with two penalties.

In 1984, Kenya made their first ever tour to Zimbabwe. The East African Tuskers, comprising all but one Kenyan player [a Ugandan] had pioneered visits to Zimbabwe in 1983.

So, Kenya’s best players in the 18-man squad for the inaugural visit to Zimbabwe gives you picture of the state-of-the-game in 1984.