Resolution Impala Saracens has made two personnel changes, and a further two positional changes to their side to take on KCB, the defending champions of the Impala Floodlit tournament in the final this Saturday.
Kelvins Karani enters the Impala squad for the first time since last season, as hooker. Kenya international Samuel Oliech has recovered from his hamstring strain to start at fullback.
Kelvins’ elder brother Dennis switches back to his usual tighthead prop position. In last weekend’s outing against Kenya Harlequins he was at loosehead. Last weekend’s hooker, Edgar Obino, will start at loosehead prop.
Otherwise, Anthony Orege moves to the tighthead bench from last weekend’s start. Prop Meshack Tunechi is uninvolved as is late call up then, Mark Kwemoi. Kwemoi came to the bench last weekend for George Okowa to replace Oliech who failed a late fitness test.
Kenya international lock Eric Kerre also comes to the bench to replace Harritone Munai who has university exams.
“A match against KCB is always bruising. We will look that physical challenge in the eye and hope to ride it to impose our own approach to the game,” said Fred Ollows, the Impala Director of Rugby.
Commenting on last year’s 26-14 final loss, Ollows said: “Every match is different and finals tend to be won by the hungrier team on the day. Our team is in a different place mentally from then and it will likely show Saturday”
The Impala Floodlit tournament final will mark the end of the pre season highlight before the leagues, mainly the top division Kenya Cup, which begins on November 5, 2016.
SARRIES XV
Edgar Obino, Kelvins Karani, Dennis Karani, Davis Makori, Rainer Omondi, Joel Omer(c), Tyson Okoth, Duncan Ekasi, Samson Onsomu, Nato Simiyu, Ian Minjire, David Dinda, Anthony Nyandigisi, Quinto Ongo, Samuel Oliech
REPLACEMENTS
Daniel Ndome, Neville Omondi, Anthony Orege, Eric Kerre, Erick Kopondo, Mohammed Omollo, David Moenga, George Okowa
– information courtesy of Impala Saracens