All We Have In Glasgow, Is Hope

As soon as I saw the pools for the Glasgow leg, like most of you, I had very little hope if any. With the action just days away, that hope hasn’t grown much.

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Basically the build up to Glasgow has been a constant battle for me between my brain and heart. My brain on one corner backed by stats from what has been one of our worst seasons in recent times.

Out of the 3 sides we are set to meet in Pool B i.e South Africa, Samoa and New Zealand, we have managed 2 wins out of the 7 matches played. Those two wins both came against Samoa in Wellington and Vegas, note that this will be our first match against New Zealand this season.

In the other corner, my heart is singing along to Twista’s Hopeful, you know it? “Cause am hopeful,yes I am, hopeful for today, take this music and use it, let it take you a way and be hopeful and He’ll make a way, I know it ain’t easy but that’s ok cause we hopeful..”

The All blacks and Blitzbokke are currently embroiled in a fierce battle for the series title, with the latter holding a slight 9 point advantage over the former. In short, these two will have no room for failure here. Samoa are safely tucked in 9th spot on the log and with 8th still a possibility for them, they still have to fight off 10th placed France.

We come into this one with a feeling that we are dangling precariously above the drop zone, on 33 points in 13th spot. With only one side facing the chop after London, its safe to say that our core status is still intact. Even if we were not pick up any points in these two legs..hehe.

The Samoans hold our most realistic chance of a win in this pool, having already registered 19-5 and 28-14 results against them. On the other hand they put 40 points past us, against our 5, in Dubai.

The islanders have been blowing hot and cold this season, losing the cup final at the Gold coast before sliding into oblivion. Seemingly finding their feet in Hong Kong where they finished third, then bowing out at the Bowl semi in Japan. Lets hope we get the cold Samoa in Glasgow.

We have met South Africa four times this season, losing on all those occasions, 45-0, 38-7, 19-5, and 26-0. As mentioned earlier with the race to the overall title still open, expect the Mzansi boys to be firing on all cylinders.

Funny enough, we have managed to steer clear of the All blacks this season, this being our first meet. Remember how we couldn’t seem to avoid them last season? The side has had a tough season by their standards, picking up only one leg title this far, plus they lost to Portugal in Japan. By this time last year, they had all but wrapped up the series.

Many reckon that this New Zealand side is there for the taking, looking at the 12 Sir.Gordon has picked for this leg, that statement is easier said than done. We kick off our Pool matches against this New Zealand side, I have emphasized here time and again the importance of the first match, if we get a strong showing here then we’ll have something to build on.

Dan Sikuta in past action
Dan Sikuta in past action

In the last couple of legs, our problem has not been a lack of personnel, it has been our inability to finish off plays at crucial stages and getting punished immediately. Which is a cruel combination of indecision and bad luck. If we can get this right in Scotland, tighten our defence and with lady luck back in our camp, we will stand a decent chance in this pool.

The squad in itself makes for an exciting read with Dennis Ombachi, Augustine Lughonzo, Biko Adema, Oscar Ayodi and Tony Onyango making their way back into the team. These five could just provide the spark we require to get things running alongside Collins Injera, Dan Skuta, Humphrey Kayange and Andrew Amonde.

The return of Dennis Ombachi and Biko Adema specifically catches my attention, the two will be making their first appearances of the season. I expect a bucket load of energy from these two, as they look to make a statement here. Alongside Augustine Lughonzo who made a very impressive debut at the Gold Coast.

Lets look at it this way, we can’t get any worse from where we are, the only way is up..we have the personnel, nothing to lose and the perfect stage to make a statement to all those who thought Kenya sevens is done and dusted. So lets support these Lions… (That is my heart by the way, in case you were wondering)

Local Timings.

Kenya v New Zealand – 2.20pm

Kenya v South Africa – 5.04pm

Kenya v Samoa – 8.15pm

KWISHA….Nimeruka Nje!!!

*Walks away whisoooling hopeful…*

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Poghie

A rugby fan having fun!

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