The Rugby Super Series caravan was in Nakuru for the weekend. Nakuru is known for its vibrant nature and rugby talent. For this year’s Super Series, Nakuru is home to Menengai Cream Cheetahs who made it two wins out of two with a hard-fought 18-16 over KCB Bank Lions.
Kabras Sugar Buffaloes’ Griffin Chao scored a brace to help his team get the first win of the Series and in return, he was named player of the match. In the 4 pm kick-off, KCB Bank Lions co-captain Obat Kuke was named the player of the match despite his side going down to the Menengai Cream Cheetahs.
The two also made it to our team of the round. Here is the rest of the team:
Front Rows
This is a position that very few play consistently, and if they do, they are often overlooked. Oscar Simiyu has been putting in the work and he is finally getting the recognition he deserves. His 7 carries and six tackles over the weekend see him named alongside Emmanuel Mboya and Edward Mwaura.
Mboya’s inclusion in this team is even more impressive considering he came on as a substitute to the injured hooker Celestine Mboi halfway through the first half. He managed to make 4 tackles, 2 carries and won 1 turnover in the process.
Edward Mwaura was key in how the Kabras Sugar Buffaloes played over the two weekends and even though his team has recorded mixed results so far, he has managed to stand out. Last weekend he managed to make 6 tackles in defense and contributed to his team’s attack with 3 carries.
Second Rows
The KCB Bank Lions pair of Collins Kabayo and Emmanuel Silungi make up our engine room. Both of these young men contributed immensely to their team’s defense as well as attack, Kabayo managed to make 6 tackles and 3 carries while Silungi managed 5 tackles and 3 carries.
Loose Forwards
The loose forwards is an area we have seen lots of competition over the two rounds. Only Felix Ojow has been consistent enough to make it to both teams of the two rounds.
Kenya Simbas international Elkeans Musonye was brought into the Menengai Cream Cheetahs’ starting line up to supply a bit of experience that the technical bench believed was missing when they played Kabras Sugar Buffaloes in round 1. He delivered, managing 10 carries and 5 tackles throughout the game.
KCB Bank Lions co-captain Obat Kuke was named man of the match. In a game that both sides looked evenly matched, Kuke stood out in both facets of play. Kuke managed 9 tackles, 8 carries and 3 won three turnovers for his team. It is no wonder he is the name on everyone’s lips.
Ojow went about his business at the base of the scrum for the KCB Bank Lions. He managed to scrape together 13 tackles, 7 carries and won 1 turnover. He works hard for his team every time he is called upon.
Playmakers
Samson Onsomu seems to be getting better with age. He did not miss a beat throughout the 70 or so minutes he was on the field for the Menengai Cream Cheetahs. His control and finesse while going about his business nonchalantly attracted a standing ovation from the home crowd when he was finally rested and replaced with young James Macharia.
Onsomu managed 4 carries, 3 tackles and 2 retained kicks. At 10, Elvis Namusasi was having another blinder of a game for the KCB Bank Lions. Just like last in round 1, he was the go-to guy when the Lions needed points from the tee. His contribution did not end with the 3 successful kicking goals, he also contributed 7 tackles and 2 carries to his teammates’ efforts.
Midfielders
Another player who makes it to the team of the round for the second week in a row is big Bob Muhati. Muhati is the kind of player who sends shivers down the spines of his opponents. His runs with ball in hand are brutal and his tackles in defense are shuttering. Against the Menengai Cream Cheetahs, Muhati managed to make 9 tackles and 3 carries as he aimed to propel his team to a second win.
Faiba Mobile Rhinos are the only team with two losses, but it is not for a lack of effort. Callum Oliver brought in Shem Okolla to balance his midfield. Alongside his fellow Kenya Simbas star Paul Mutsami, Okolla managed a total of 7 tackles and 3 carries. Despite his team’s loss, Okolla can be proud of his contribution.
Back Three
Griffin Chao is playing like a man possessed. He makes it to the team of the round for the second week in a row, this time adding the cherry on top with a man of the match award. Chao is undoubtedly Kabras Sugar Buffaloes’ talisman as he managed 6 carries. 2 line breaks and 2 tries.
Menengai Cream Cheetahs’ lethal winger Beldad Ogeta went under the radar in a muddy RFUEA Grounds in round 1 but turned up the heat against KCB Bank Lions in front of a packed NAC Grounds in round 2. His single try is complemented by 9 carries and 1 line break.
At full back, young Victor Odhiambo dislodges his teammate Harmony Wamalwa. The former Kenya U20 star was brought into the team in place of Zeden Marrow to try and spark some sort of winning energy but it never materialized. However, his work rate and contribution cannot go unnoticed. Odhiambo managed 5 carries,2 tackles and 1 line break.
The Rugby Super Series heads to Kakamega next weekend before it returns to the capital for the finale. How many of these stars will make it to the Rugby Super Series Team of Round 3? Only time will tell.
RUGBY SUPER SERIES TEAM OF ROUND TWO
1. Oscar Simiyu (KCB Bank Lions) 2. Emmanuel Mboya (Menengai Cream Cheetahs) 3. Edward Mwaura (Kabras Sugar Buffaloes) 4. Collins Kabayo (KCB Bank Lions) 5. Emmanuel Silungi (KCB Bank Lions) 6. Elkeans Musonye (Menengai Cream Cheetahs) 7. Obat Kuke (KCB Bank Lions) 8. Felix Ojow (KCB Bank Lions) 9. Samson Onsomu (Menengai Cream Cheetahs) 10. Elvis Namusasi (KCB Bank Lions) 11. Griffin Chao (Kabras Sugar Buffaloes) 12. Bob Muhati (KCB Bank Lions) 13. Shem Okolla (Faiba Mobile Rhinos) 14. Beldad Ogeta (Menengai Cream Cheetahs) 15. Victor Odhiambo (Faiba Mobile Rhinos)
