Ismail D. Kigongo
18 June 2011
Looking to finish the Africa Cup Group 1B tournament on a high, the Rugby Cranes technical team has decided to overhaul their backline for the final game against Madagascar at Kyadondo grounds today.
Utl fullback Simon Wakabi and his teammate Tony Luggya (centre) have been dropped from the starting 15 which started the 25-15 loss to eventual event winners Zimbabwe last Sunday. The technical team has consequently chosen to move Jonathan Bishop Onen from the wing to fullback whereas Evans Kingasia will debut at inside centre to reunite with Heathens’ teammate Michael Wokorach.
On Monday, a technical meeting discussed the utl Kobs pair’s poor showing in the loss that led to Uganda sliding from 45th to 41st in the latest International Rugby Board (IRB) rankings.
Vice-captain Timothy Mudoola, who came on for Luggya in the second half, reverts to the wing where he first played when he came into the national team more than five years ago.
This decision is as radical as Onen playing at fullback since he can be suspect under the high ball though the opposition prefers a running game with their backs spreading the ball as wide as possible.
Forwards intact
After a relatively good display, the forwards have been kept intact with the exception of Timothy Kabonero replacing Ronald Mwisaka in the 15. Coming off a stellar season for Kobs, Kabonero came on for the same player last week.
However, most of the attention is still reserved for wing Justin Kimono, 19. He burst out of his shell to score two tries on his debut. Head coach Yayiro Musisi Kasasa thinks he could have had more.
“Justin could have scored four or five tries,” Kasasa said. This will surely be a game won by speed as the Markis entirely play that way having only nine forwards and 15 backs.
The visitors have one eye on revenge for the 32-22 loss at Kampala RFC in a World Cup qualifier two years ago.
They looked at sea in losing 49-0 to Zimbabwe Sables on Wednesday.
“There was not a chance of us winning the tournament but it will be good if we can win one game,” Benjaniana Rakotoarivelo, the Madagascar captain, said.
Starting 15
J. Onen, J. Kimono,
M. Wokorach, E. Kingasia,
T. Mudoola, B. Kiiza,
A. Matsiko, S. Oluoch,
M. Ochwo (captain), R. Seguya,
R. Ogwal, T. Kabonero, B. Odong,
A. Mubiru, R. Adigasi
Reserves
D. Mugambe,
A. Mukama, S. Mawanda,
R. Mwisaka, S. Ogwete,
A. Olweny B. Kikawa,
T. Luggya, S. Wakabi
AllAfrica – All the Time
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