Rugby: Fijian Kubu out as Kenya Simbas step up preps for final World Cup qualifier

Kabras Sugar's Jone Kubu. [Washington Onyango,Standard]

Two-time Kenya Cup champion and new Simbas star fly half Jone Kubu has been ruled out of the 2023 Rugby World Cup Final Qualification Tournament (repechage) slated for November 6 -18 in Dubai.

The Simbas, who missed out on direct qualification to the 2023 Rugby World Cup after finishing second in July's Rugby Africa Cup following their loss to Namibia in the final, have been in residential camp for the past week as part of their final preparations.

Kenya Simbas team manager Jimmy Mnene confirmed Kubu had been ruled out of the travelling squad set to depart the country next weekend after picking up an injury to his left wrist.

"We have commenced treatment and are monitoring his progress. As a technical team led by Paul Odera, we shall walk the journey with him."

"We are not sure in terms of what date he will return to training and return to play would be, but we know he is out of the Simbas Repechage campaign. We wish him all the best in his recovery," said Munene.

The Fijian's absence is a big blow to Simbas as first choice fly half Dominic Coulson, who started all the matches in the Rugby Africa Cup, had already been ruled out of the team due to school commitments in the United Kingdom.

Kenya will play USA, Portugal and Hong Kong in the four-team tournament in Dubai and the eventual winner of the tournament will be the final team to qualify for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.