Amonde, Oliech snub call ups

[PHOTO: COURTESY]

The Kenya Simba team manager has expressed disappointment at the refusal of two players to honour the national rugby 15s team call up ahead of tomorrow’s Rugby Africa Gold Cup match against visiting Tunisia.

The Kenya Sevens Andrew Amonde and Sammy Oliech reportedly turned down the offer and will instead play for Franchise side EZY Wolves in this weekend’s Sri Lanka Super 7s Rugby championship. Other Kenyan players invited for the tournament include Nelson Oyoo (Nakuru), Dennis Ombachi (Nondies), and Billy Odhiambo (Mwamba).

Having moulded the two to become stars, team manager Wangila Simiyu had expected them to come to the team’s rescue.

“It is unfortunate that Amonde and Oliech, the players we groomed, have turned down the offer to play for us when we need them most. Instead, they have decided to go to Sri Lanka for the Super 7s tournament,” Wangila told The Standard Sports on the sidelines of yesterday’s squad naming ceremony at the RFUEA grounds.

While Kabras Sugar lock George Nyambua and Impala centre Leo Seje are in line for their full test debuts after being named in the final 23 man squad, the Kenya Rugby Union was put to task to explain head coach Jerome Paarwater’s absence prior to international matches.

“We had a national squad retreat last week and those are some of the areas we discussed. By the end of this month we will have a concrete plan in place. It is something we are looking at very actively to ensure that our teams are best prepared for whatever challenges we face,” said KRU CEO Ronald Bukusi.

“In the run-up to our World Cup preparation all this is being taken into consideration. Right now, he (Paarwater) is not here. We have got games coming up against Zimbabwe and Senegal. But I think before we take off, there will be a change in our approach.”

Simba's assistant coach, Dominique Habimana, said he was delighted with the return of captain Wilson Kopondo from injury.