RESOLUTION Impala Saracens has made eleven changes, five positional, to the side that narrowly beat Western Bulls 17-15 at The Bull Ring in Kakamega last weekend.
The changes are headlined by inside centre Seje Owade who trialled for the Melbourne Rebels, an Australian Super Rugby franchise. He ended up in the wider squad.
In other changes, hooker Kelvins Karani comes in for Daniel Ndome while tighthead prop Anthony Orege starts in place of last weekend’s Stephen Juma. Juma is the replacement loosehead this weekend.
Locks David Makori and Simon Muniafu will start this weekend in place of last weekend’s pair of Erick Kerre and Tyson Okoth. Okoth returns to his more familiar openside flank while Kerre is lock reserve. Paul Mutsami who played at the openside flank moves to 8th man. Club captain Duncan Ekasi who started at 8th man then is backrow replacement.
Anthony Nyandigisi moves a channel out to pair Owade, at outside centre. Wingers Derrick Mayar and Leon Adongo swap roles. Adongo is at the right edge of the pitch while Mayar is on the left.
Scrum half Samson Onsomu wears the skipper’s arm band while veteran backrow Joel Omer is his vice captain and pack leader.
The Sarries have a loaded bench that includes Kenya internationals Kerre, halfback Nato Simiyu and utility back Samuel Oliech.
Mwamba excited the Kenya rugby fraternity when they dominated to beat Sportpesa Quins 15-7 at their Railways Club base last Saturday.
“Mwamba has had a good run and is passionate about their rugby. They exert quite some defensive pressure through quick linespeed,” says the Impala Saracens Director of Rugby, Fred Ollows.
“Their battering rams Pablo (Edwin Machanje) and Brad Owako have gained them good yardage. (Humphrey) Kayange has stood tall in the lineout. His bro (Collins) Injera and ex international Lavin Asego will probably be on to add potency to their backline.
We intend to unleash a 23-man attack to counter their threat”
This is one to watch.
Starting XV
1 James Kubasu
2 Kelvins Karani
3 Anthony Orege
4 Davis Makori
5 Simon Muniafu
6 Joel Omer (VC)
7 Tyson Okoth
8 Paul Mutsami
9 Samson Onsomu (C)
10 Mohammed Omollo
11 Derrick Mayar
12 Seje Owade
13 Anthony Nyandigisi
14 Leon Adongo
15 Robin Kiplang’at
Replacements
16 Edgar Obino
17 Stephen Juma
18 Meshack Tunechi
19 Erick Kerre
20 Duncan Ekasi
21 Nato Simiyu
22 David Dinda
23 Samuel Oliech
