Kenya U20 men’s national rugby team, known as Chipu, concluded their World U20 Trophy Pool action without a victory following a 30-17 defeat to the USA at the Hive Stadium in Edinburgh, Scotland. Despite the losses, Chipu displayed commendable fighting spirit throughout the tournament.
First Half: Early Challenges and Resilient Response
The USA started the match strong, securing an early unconverted try from the corner to take a 5-0 lead. They soon extended their advantage to 8-0 with a successful penalty kick. However, Chipu did not back down. After sustained pressure, a penalty kick by James Olela narrowed the gap to 8-3 as the first half concluded.
Second Half: A Fierce Battle
The USA returned rejuvenated in the second half, adding another penalty to make it 11-3. A converted try following a Chipu holding penalty further extended the USA’s lead. The Americans then scored two more converted tries, seemingly putting the game out of reach at 30-3.
Despite the daunting scoreline, Chipu refused to give up. They sparked a spirited comeback through Elvis Otete’s try, which Philip Okeyo successfully converted to make it 30-10. This was quickly followed by another converted try by Daniel Kipchirchir, bringing the score to 30-17. Despite their valiant efforts, Chipu could not close the gap further, ending the match with a hard-fought loss.
USA’s Path to the Final
The victory ensured the USA’s progression to the Junior Trophy final. They had previously dominated their pool matches with a 44-33 win over the Netherlands and a 32-15 victory against Uruguay. The USA is now one win away from returning to the World Rugby U20 Championship for the first time since 2013.
Chipu’s Performance and Future Prospects
Kenya, finishing at the bottom of their pool, will now contest for a seventh-place playoff in their final match on 17th July. Despite the losses, Chipu’s performance demonstrated potential and resilience. The team’s ability to mount a comeback against the USA, even when the game seemed out of reach, speaks volumes about their fighting spirit.
Key Players and Squad Dynamics
The Chipu squad comprised several notable players, including Wycliffe Ogutu, Bramwel Anekea, Darrell Oluoch, Eugine Etale, and Clein Okumbi. Their determination and efforts throughout the tournament were commendable, despite the tough competition.
Chipu Squad:
- Wycliffe Ogutu
- Bramwel Anekea
- Darrell Oluoch
- Eugine Etale
- Clein Okumbi
- Edmond Omondi
- Andycole Omolo
- Iddo Kuta
- Patrick Wainaina
- Philip Okeyo
- Samuel Otete
- Michael Wamalwa
- James Olela
- Alvin Khavoli
- Jackson Siketa
- Brian Shile
- Geylord Ngasi
- Ian Nyandusi
- Eddy Otieno
- Nathan Tsindoli
- Benadict Muiruri
- Daniel Bett
- Eugene Ojiambo
Looking Forward
As Chipu prepares for their seventh-place playoff, they aim to finish the tournament on a positive note. The experience gained from playing against strong teams like Uruguay, the Netherlands, and the USA will be invaluable for the players and coaching staff.
Coach’s Perspective
Head coach Paul Odera has emphasized the importance of learning from these matches and building a stronger team for future competitions. “We have faced some tough opponents, but the boys have shown great resilience. Our focus now is to take these lessons and improve for future tournaments,” Odera stated.
Conclusion
The journey for Kenya’s U20 men’s national rugby team in the World U20 Trophy has been challenging, yet filled with valuable lessons and moments of resilience. As Chipu prepares for their final match, the experience gained will undoubtedly strengthen the team for future competitions. For more updates on Kenyan rugby and other sports news, visit JamboBet.
