Round three of the Rugby Super Series in Kakamega served us with its fair share of drama and intrigue. The Faiba Mobile Rhinos, the only team that had managed to stay winless before heading to Kakamega, shocked the Menengai Cream Cheetahs, the only side that had won two games out of two.
The 4 pm game featuring home side Kabras Sugar Buffaloes and KCB Bank Lions only lasted for 60 minutes as heavy rainfall and lightning forced the match officials to call it off. Just before the game was suspended, the center referee Victor Oduor had brandished a red card to Claude Kennedy of KCB Bank Lions for dangerous play.
Despite all that, the crowd that gathered at the Bull Ring in Kakamega witnessed some good rugby. Here are some of the players who stood out for this round.
Front rows
This is an area where players work so hard, do all the dirty work and get so little recognition. A few players have been consistent in these positions. Francis Orembe returned to the starting lineup of the Menengai Cream Cheetahs and with that a performance that earns him a slot in the team of the round.
Emmanuel Mboya seems to have taken to the starting role at Menengai Cream Cheetahs like fish to water. The hooker position for all teams of all three rounds has been monopolized by hookers from Menengai Cream Cheetahs. Mboya managed 8 tackles, 5 carries and a 50-meter try to put the icing on the cake.
Meshack Tunnech had a tour to remember in Kakamega. He was a key reason why Faiba Mobile Rhinos finally managed to get a win in the Rugby Super Series. Tunnech managed to make 5 tackles and 8 carries.
Locks
Ryan Odua was brought into the starting lineup by Paul Murunga to replace John Aswani. He repaid his coach’s faith in him with a quick fire try in the very first minute of the game. Aswani also managed to make 7 tackles and 8 carries throughout the game.
Odua’s partner in crime for this round is Menengai Cream Cheetah’s Barry Opondo. The fleet footed Opondo was starting a game for the Cheetahs for only the first time in the Rugby Super Series. He managed to carry the ball 9 times while complementing that with 6 tackles and 1 line break.
Backrows
This is a backrow of leaders. Menengai Cream Cheetahs’ Amos Obae was captaining his side in the brief absence of regular captain Ibrahim Ayoo who was named in the bench. He is known to be aggressive and very mean in defense. He contributed 12 carries, 9 tackles and a try for his side.
Last weekend’s player of the match between KCB Bank Lions and Menengai Cream Cheetahs Obat Kuke was at it again over the weekend. The back row puts in huge shifts every time he is called upon to lead his side. Against Kabras Sugar Buffaloes, Kuke managed 8 carries, 5 tackles and won a turnover in the 60 minutes the game lasted.
Sheldon Kahi has been huge for his side despite the poor performances his side has been having. He has been a spark whenever his side needed one. Over the weekend, he made 15 carries and 8 tackles.
Half Backs
Patrick Wainaina started a game in the Rugby Super Series for the first time since his triumph with the Kenya U20 side in the Barthes Trophy in Zimbabwe. His impact was instant as his game control was a huge reason why his side got the first win of the campaign. The diminutive scrumhalf made 4 carries, 4 tackles and 1 line break.
Levi Amunga was a revelation for his side at fly half. He has played most of the campaign in midfield and was playing at fly half for the first time. 5 penalty goals and 1 line break were enough to give his side an unassailable lead by the time the game was being called off.
Midfield
Charles Odhiambo was recalled by Paul Murunga into his starting lineup, and he delivered the goods. The center managed to make 10 tackles, 5 carries and won 1 turnover.
Kenya Sevens International Dennis Abukuse made his first Rugby Super Series appearance for Menengai Cream Cheetahs in midfield. His experience could not help his side make it three wins out of three, but he well and truly ran the defense rugged. 9 carries, 5 tackles and 3 line breaks attempt to do justice to his performance on Saturday afternoon.
Back Three
Another Kenya Under 20 star was having an afternoon to remember. Alvin Khavoli was shifted from right wing to left wing to cover the dent left by Beldad Ogeta who was rested by the Menengai Cream Cheetahs technical bench. He contributed 7 tackles, 3 carries and 1 line break and should have had a try to gloss it up.
Derrick Wechuli is another one who has had a fantastic campaign that has gone under the radar. He has been the only constant figure in that KCB Bank Lions’ back three. His game only lacked tries, which delivered in round three in Kakamega. He managed to make 3 tackles and scored once to earn a slot in this team.
Victor Odhiambo was a man on a mission on Saturday afternoon. The fleet-footed winger/full back did not come to play as he dotted down twice and made 4 carries and 2 line breaks in the process. This man can play across the back three and give defenders nightmares in the process.
Rugby Super Series Team of Round Three
- Francis Orembe, 2. Emmanuel Mboya, 3. Meshack Tunnech, 4. Ryan Odua, 5. Barry Opondo, 6. Amos Obae 7. Obat Kuke, 8. Sheldon Kahi, 9. Patrick Wainaina, 10. Levi Amunga, 11. Alvin Khavoli, 12. Charles Odhiambo, 13. Dennis Abukuse, 14. Derrick Wechuli, 15. Victor Odhiambo
Stats courtesy of Tisini
