NAIROBI, Kenya, October 18 – The national women’s rugby 15s team coach Paul ‘Pau’ Murunga believes the addition of five players to the side will aid in the bid to collect their first win at the World Rugby WXV3 in Dubai against Kazakhstan on Friday.
Murunga said he is focused on proper game management to maximise on the individual and collective strengths of all the players.
“We are delighted that five of the players who were part of the Rugby Africa 7s squad in Tunisia. We will keep Grace (Okulu), Judith (Akumu) and Phoebe (Akinyi) on the bench wheareas Terry (Ayesa) will be in the starting line-up. The others may come in the second half because our aim is to create a consistent team in the way that we train and play,” the coach said.
The Lionesses were given a painful reality check on Saturday as they went down 32-0 to Spain in their debut in the competition.
To add salt to injury, the Lionesses suffered casualties in the form of injuries to Knight Otwoma, Faith Livoi and Winnie Awino who suffered a concussion.
The coach said his decision to rejig the team was partly motivated by the unavailability of these crucial players.
“We picked a few injuries in the opening match…Faith suffered an injury to the shin as well as Knight while Winnie, who came into the first match as a substitute, is also out after incurring a concussion,” Murunga revealed.
In total, Murunga has made seven changes including a debut for Maureen Chebet, slotting in the second row along with Faith Livoi.
Skipper Enid Ouma, who missed out on the Spain match due to injury, has passed a late fitness test to take her place in the back row where she will be joining Diana Kemunto and Naomi Jelagat.
Lionesses’ matchday squad vs Kazakhstan:
15.Freshia Awino, 14. Terry Ayesa, 13. Prisca Nyerere, 12. Laurine Akoth, 11. Esther Juma, 10. Anne Goretti, 9. Diana Omosso, 1. Rose Otieno, 2. Staycy Atieno, 3. Natasha Emali, 4. Maureen Chebet, 5. Faith Livoi, 6. Enid Ouma (c), 7. Diana Kemunto, 8. Naomi Jelagat REPLACEMENTS 16. Naomi Muhanji, 17. Mercy Migongo, 18. Evelyn Kalemera, 19. Hesla Khisa, 20. Phoebe Akinyi, 21. Judith Okumu, 22. Grace Okulu, 23. Michelle Akinyi
