Simbas set to maul Hong Kong: Visiting coach looks forward to a tough test match against Kenyans

RUGBY KENYA VS TUNISIA Kenya's Steve Otieno shield the ball from Houcem Khalfi of Tunisia during their Rugby Africa Gold Cup at Kenya Rugby Football Union Ground, Nairobi on Saturday 08/07/17. Kenya won 100-10 Tunisia.PHOTO:BONIFACE OKENDO

Simbas ready to maul Hong Kong

Both teams to hand debuts to youngsters in tie at RFUEA today.

Hong Kong national XVs team coach Leigh Jones expects a tough match against Kenya’s Simbas in today’s (3pm) first test match at the RFUEA Grounds.

With both sides fielding young but talented squads, Jones, who doubles up as the Hong Kong Rugby Union general manager for rugby performance, is hoping for an improved performance ahead of next Saturday’s return leg tie at the same venue.

This will be the third meeting between the two sides after Kenya beat the Asian nation 24-18 and 34-10 respectively in last year’s test matches.

“Kenya have improved tremendously in the last 12 months. They have a new coaching team and have produced some impressive results. Can we go there and win? Yes, I think we can and undoubtedly it is a great opportunity for the players selected,” said Jones.

“Last year, we were virtually a new team, coming in for a few games when we hadn’t had time to gel. We had to do that on the ground and Kenya proved effective at taking advantage of that situation and scoring off our errors.

“It’s a similar scenario this time and we have tried to highlight just how deadly Kenya are for this group.

“If we give them ball from turnover scenarios, their ability to feed off that and their general speed and athleticism pose a real threat. We need to play structured and controlled rugby to be successful.”

James Kubasu, Philip Ikambili, Emmanuel Mavala, Elkeans Musonye, Brad Owako and Alex Olaba have been handed debuts by Simbas coach Jerome Paarwater while Jones has included Callum McFeat, Dayne Jans, Dan Barlo, Evi Saua, James Christie, Liam Gallaher, Liam Slatem, Mike Parfitt and Sam Purvis in the Hong Kong’s 28-man squad that arrived in Nairobi on Friday.

“It’s great to bring the juniors back into our professional environment in line with our wider development policy. These are players we hope to get back after university with a view to making them professional athletes, so it is critical that we have a chance to evaluate them,” Jones spoke of his youthful side.

Although Nondescripts centre Benjamin Marshall could make his debut, the youngster is happy to have made the 23-man match-day squad.

“I am happy to have finally made the match day squad. I am ready for the task ahead and ready to deliver when called upon. My target is to become a regular in the team,” said Marshall.

Simbas assistant coach Dominique Habimana backed his new-look team to shine.