Kenya had performed well at the 2009 and 2013 rugby world cups, reaching the semi-finals on both occasions. However going into the 2018 event, not much was expected from them. They had been inconsistent in the run-up to the tournament largely due to mismanagement by KRFU. This despite fielding what looked like a formidable unit on paper. The tournament was held at AT&T Park in San Francisco, USA from July 20 to July 22 of 2018. The format of the cup had changed and rather than a group oriented event, it was now played on a knockout basis, leaving no room for error.
PRE-ROUND OF 16
The Tongans had difficulty keeping up with the pace of Nelson Oyoo who scored twice.
Kenya 19 – Tonga 7 (HT 5 – 7)
Tries:
NO Oyoo 9′ & 10′
CI Injera 13′
Conversions:
SJO Oliech 10′
E Agero 13′
Oyoo outrunning the Tongans
ROUND OF 16
Kenya were leading 26-5 but somehow collapsed completely in the second half after Samuel Ngethe and Sammy Oliech were sin binned in quick succession.
Scotland 31 – Kenya 26 (HT 0 – 14)
TRIES
W Ambaka Ndayara 6′
JO Oluoch 8′ & 10′
CI Injera 8′
CONV
E Agero 6′ & 8′
SJO Oliech 8′
Injera plays defence against Scotland
CHALLENGE QUARTER FINALS
Kenya 14 – Ireland 24 (HT 7 – 12)
Tries:
W Ambaka Ndayara 9′ & 10′
Conv:
E Agero 9′ & 10′
CHALLENGE 13/16 PLACE
Kenya 17 – Samoa 19
(HT 12 – 5)
Tries:
SJO Oliech 3′ & 14′
JO Oluoch 8′
Conv:
SJO Oliech 8′
CHALLENGE 15/16 PLACE
Kenya 14 – Japan 26
(HT 7 – 12)
Tries:
SJO Oliech 3′
JO Oluoch 13′
Conv:
SJO Oliech 3′
E Agero 13′
Squad
1. Oscar Ayodi
2. Collins Injera
3. Andrew Amonde
4. Willy Ambaka
5. Samuel Oliech
6. Nelson Oyoo
7. Dennis Ombachi
8. Jeff Oluoch
9. Brian Tanga
10. Eden Agero
11. Herman Humwa
12. Samuel Ngethe
Management
1. Innocent Simiyu – Head Coach,
2. Geoffrey Kimani – S & C,
3. Lameck Bogonko – Physio,
4. Eric Ogweno – Team manager.
Final Standings
Kenya finished in 16th place.
| Place | Team |
|---|---|
| 1 | New Zealand |
| 2 | England |
| 3 | South Africa |
| 4 | Fiji |
| 5 | Argentina |
| 6 | United States |
| 7 | Scotland |
| 8 | France |
| 9 | Ireland |
| 10 | Australia |
| 11 | Wales |
| 12 | Canada |
| 13 | Samoa |
| 14 | Russia |
| 15 | Japan |
| 16 | Kenya |
| 17 | Chile |
| 18 | Hong Kong |
| 19 | Uganda |
| 20 | Uruguay |
| 21 | Papua New Guinea |
| 22 | Tonga |
| 23 | Zimbabwe |
| 24 | Jamaica |
Aftermath
Coach Ian Simiyu blamed the poor performance on inadequate preparations. KRFU Chairman Omwela for his part cited indiscipline in the playing unit.
“It appears the Union has been unable to have a say on any activities by the team. We have no objection to looking after the players but need to put our house in order,”said Omwela
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