L. MathekaTwelve changes as Odera names Simbas squad for Portugal clash
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Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 10.11.22. | 18:04
Malcolm Onsando captains the side in the absence of Daniel Sikuta who is rested for the fixture.
Amon Wamalwa gets a full test debut for Kenya Simbas as head coach Paul Odera made twelve changes ahead of Portugal's clash.
The national rugby 15's side will be playing their second march at the Rugby World Cup (RWC) 2023 Final Qualification Tournament in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Saturday 12 November 2022.
Eight of the 12 changes made are in the starting fifteen with another four on the bench.
Wamalwa who starts at fly half, joined by 19-year-old Joshua Weru who came off the bench for a try scoring debut in Sunday’s 14-68 loss to the USA, makes his first full start for the Simbas at number eight in place of Bethuel Anami who is rested for this fixture.
21-year-old Wamalwa makes his first ever start for the Simbas.
Other changes made to the side that started Sunday’s opener against the USA have handed starting berths to Edward Mwaura and Teddy Akala in the front row, Brian Juma at lock, Martin Owilah in the back row, Brian Tanga at scrum half, Beldad Ogeta and Timothy Omela on the wings.
Today's pitch session is currently underway at the @SevensStadium . Two days left to our second #RWC2023 FQT match against @PortugalRugby #SupportTheSimbas#StayAtTheHildanaLodge pic.twitter.com/6YCpJNe8Ld
— #SupportTheSimbas (@KenyaSimbas) November 10, 2022
Samuel Asati moves from scrum half to fullback in one of two positional changes, the other seeing Thomas Okeyo shifted from lock to blindside flank.
Malcolm Onsando captains the side in the absence of Daniel Sikuta who is also rested for this fixture.
Peter Kilonzo, potential debutant Clinton Odhiambo, Samson Onsomu and Ian Masheti are introduced to the match day squad for the first time in this tournament and will start from the bench alongside Eugene Sifuna, Andrew Siminyu, George Nyambua and Geoffrey Okwatch who all featured on Sunday.
The clash against Portugal takes place at 3.00pm EAT.
Here are the @kenyasimbas tries from Brian Juma and teenager Joshua Weru during the 14-68 loss to the USA in the RWC 2023 Final Qualification Tournament opener in Dubai on Sunday 6 November 2022 pic.twitter.com/nGEuk9EFYT
— Kenya Rugby (@OfficialKRU) November 7, 2022
Simbas v Portugal
15. Samuel Asati, 14. Timothy Omela, 13. Bryceson Adaka, 12. John Okoth, 11. Beldad Ogeta, 10. Amon Wamalwa (debut), 9. Brian Tanga, 1. Edward Mwaura, 2. Teddy Akala, 3. Ephraim Oduor, 4. Malcolm Onsando (captain), 5. Brian Juma, 6. Thomas Okeyo, 7. Martin Owilah, 8. Joshua Weru
REPLACEMENTS 16. Eugene Sifuna, 17. Andrew Siminyu, 18. Ian Masheti, 19. Clinton Odhiambo (debut), 20. George Nyambua, 21. Samson Onsomu, 22. Peter Kilonzo, 23. Geoffrey Okwatch
RESTED: Patrick Ouko, Bethuel Anami, Daniel Sikuta, Darwin Mukidza, Jacob Ojee, Geoffrey Ominde, Joseph Odero, Brian Waraba
