5 Resolution Impala Saracens players have been selected to train in the Kenya XVs team which is set to take on a number of international rugby test fixtures. A couple of shockers and surprises are to be noted from the selection process as seasoned forward Duncan Ekasi and the second row work horse – Davis Makori were left out of the 39 man pack. Makori has however found consolation in Kenya A. A team set to take on Uganda in the Annual Elgon Cup to be played on 30th and 20th June 2015.
Duncan Ekasi
Ekasi stays at Impala to train with the Resolution Impala Saracens
The Players
Erick Kerre (Lock)
The young and tall alumni of Friends School Kamusinga is a perfect pick. His only competition in the Resolution Impala Saracens 2014-2015 squad was none other than Tyson Okoth. After Tyson incurring an injury during the Resolution Impala Saracens – Western Bulls game that ended 26-24 in Impala’s favor, Eric’s star began glowing. His rude, arrogant but equally composed on pitch tendencies must have got him the call up. His partnering with Davis Makori at scrum will always be remembered by the Western Bulls, Mwamba and Kabras scrum. It will be interesting to watch him learn from the likes of Wilson K’ Opondo, Ronnie Mwenesi and Oliver Mang’eni, established locks who he will be fighting for the jersey against.
Robert Aringo (Scrumhalf)
Another youngster, graduate from St. Mary’s School Nairobi receives a call up. He happened to travel with the Simba XVs to South Africa last year and played in the Vodacom Cup. The selector’s choice of position for the natural centre is however baffling. This is no cause for alarm as he obviously understands how to mix and match responsibilities. His ability to hold his own and absorb contact is a huge plus. His line breaking and offload technique comes off as a topping at such a young age. His biggest competitor for the half back jersey is none other than Lyle Asiligwa, the Kenya Harlequins half back who was blessed with a boot.
Ian Minjire, Sammy Oliech, Vincent Mose (Back Three)
Perfect pick once more by the selectors. One message is clear. Impala is home to the best wingers and full backs the nation currently has.
Ian Minjire
Minjire, a student at JKUAT recently returned to premiership action. We expected him to suffer the unforgiving effects of lactic acid and thus slowly adapt to the contact situation. But he has since proven otherwise. His injection of pace during the Enterprise Cup finals against KCB was a message enough to prove his worth. He is brilliant in the air, impressive with the boot and massive with the tackle. He is what you would loosely call, a desert scorpion.
Sammy Oliech
Sammy Oliech needs no introduction. Armed with a designer’s boot, gifted hands and lightning fast feet, he stands to be the best fullback Kenya has ever had since Innocent Simiyu. His boot has always found the posts when needed. His line breaking instinct is razor sharp. Oliech is a cocktail of three elements; fire (his boot), dust (his speed) and ice (his chilling side step). We won’t be surprised if he retained the number 15 jersey when the final team is called out.
Vincent Mose
Form is temporary but class is permanent. Vincent Mose came back to rugby after a long hiatus citing work commitment. His comeback strategy was gradual. By picking up the grass from the Academy side, the legend – reincarnate rose slowly to the Boks outfit. By the time the 2014-15 season was coming to an end, he was sparring against young men who watched him lift the Enterprise Cup years ago with Nakuru Rfc. It is important to note that most of those who played alongside Mose in 2008 have opted into retirement. His maturity means a lot of inspiration to the Kenya XV side. And if his frequent prancing to the try line during the past season is anything to go by, the selectors will have a hard time explaining why they sidelined him from crucial Rugby Afrique Division 1A encounters.
Davis Makori (Lock – Kenya A)
An expression of confusion reigned over Makori’s face when news of his exclusion from the 39 man training team were broken. It was explicitly evident that he was gunning for the number 4 jersey. Makori possesses a massive carry. Not only has his arrogance upped, but his pace and hunger for the tackle have drastically improved. His efforts however will be needed elsewhere. The selectors opted to field him in the Kenya A team which will face Uganda in the Annual Elgon Cup; a home and away tournament which Kenya almost always wins
