Appointment: Legend Rombo to coach rugby league team

Kenya Judo Association's Joan Githua and former international rugby player Edward Rombo in a Sports Managers Forum in this file photo taken in 2015. [File]

Former Kenya international Edward Rombo was yesterday named the Kenya Rugby League (KRL) head coach. 

The 53-year-old Rombo, who played for Mwamba and University of Nairobi’s Mean Machine, has been tasked with leading KRL national team’s program while providing technical support to the federation’s development side.

Rombo, who was the first Kenyan to play professional rugby when he joined English side Leeds, is keen on propelling the team to the 2025 World Cup as the abridged version of the game gains popularity in the country. 

“As a pioneer rugby league player from Kenya, I am happy to play my part in ensuring the sport takes root in the country. We intend to have a strong national team that will take part in World Cup tournaments,” said Rombo. 

Unlike Rugby Union, which features 15 players on either side, competing teams in Rugby League have 13 players each. 

Rugby League’s scrums are not contested unlike Rugby Union. There are also no line outs, mauls and rucks. 

Once coronavirus is contained, the KRL will have a short domestic league of 10 clubs, from where the national team will be picked before Kenya plays South Africa.