){kind=small}
Premier){kind=small}
POR
){kind=small}
SOF
){kind=small}
MSU
){kind=small}
MUR
){kind=small}
POL
){kind=small}
SHA
){kind=small}
TUF
){kind=small}
KAS
){kind=small}
MAU
){kind=small}
BAN
){kind=small}
KCB
){kind=small}
NAC
){kind=small}
FCT
){kind=small}
AFC
){kind=small}
ULS
){kind=small}
GOM
){kind=small}
BID
){kind=small}
KAK
){kind=small}
Serie A){kind=logo}
ATA
){kind=small}
PISA
){kind=logo}
CGL
){kind=small}
FIO
)
Kenya Simbas coach Jerome Paarwater is optimistic about his squad’s progress as they gear up to qualify for the Rugby World Cup for the first time in history.
Kenya Simbas head coach Jerome Paarwater believes his squad is making fine progress in the quest to qualify for the 2027 Rugby World Cup for the first time in their history after obliterating UAE 54-24 in a friendly clash that took place at the RFUEA Grounds in Nairobi last Saturday.
The Simbas gaffer used the clash to give his 50-man provisional squad a chance, dividing the team into three chunks. Although they started slowly over the first third, the second and third sides helped Kenya gain momentum in front of a packed RFUEA ground, eventually sailing to a comfortable victory.
Paarwater trimmed his squad down to 33 players who will be traveling to South Africa on Wednesday to take part in a month-long high-performance training camp.
PAY ATTENTION: Stay updated with the Latest Sports News in Kenya from Pulse Sports
During their month-long camp, they will be facing some Western Province sides such as SWD Eagles the Blue Bulls and Sanlam Boland Cavaliers as they step up preparations for the Rugby Africa Cup, which they will be aiming to win to keep their hopes of qualifying for the 2027 World Cup alive.
Speaking to Pulse Sports after the clash, Paarwater explained what he learnt about his charges during the UAE friendly.
Paarwater: The Young Cats Impressed
)
“The last chucker was basically the experienced guys, the guys who played. But the plan worked because we wanted to put the young guys under pressure and see how they handled the pressure, which I think they did quite well,” the gaffer said.
“It's just like you can see the experience, especially that first game that we played, there was a lot of tries we could have scored. But it's just the experience we expected when they like five, 10 meters from the try line.
“They make mistakes but that's normal. And then the second chunk, the guy stepped up a little bit. And then the last chunk was like I said, basically the Simbas team.”
Paarwater: The Depth of the Squad is Impressive
)
Paarwater had the luxury of working with some Shujaa players during the game, such as Samuel Asati, Brian Tanga, John Okoth, Vincent Onyala, and Festus Shiasi.
Asked what the players brought to the party, Paarwater explained that the most important thing was to have as many high quality options as possible in order to boost him as he prepares his charges for the main target.
“Yeah, look for us, there's no sevens players, there's no fifteenth players, so when we select the squad, the biggest squad, it's the whole of Kenya.
“ Everybody that can add value, so we don't see, and all of those guys played fifteenths. That's basically where they make their name. And they just get on the biggest stage with the sevens, where they can express themselves. It's nice and fun to play sevens, but fifteenths is tough. So guys had to adapt quickly.
“But like I say, they played 15th in the Kenya Cup also so it wasn't too bad. For us, it's everybody in Kenya. Give every player a fair chance. The Kenya Cup coaches helped us with the selection. So I think we've got the right squad.”
Lessons From 2014 Drive the Current Campaign
)
Paarwater previously coached the Simbas in 2014 and came agonizingly close to qualifying for the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Kenya only needed a victory over Zimbabwe to secure their spot but lost 10-27, missing out by a single point in the standings. That heartbreak remains a motivating factor for the current team.
“Back in 2014, we missed out on the World Cup by one point. With that experience, I believe we’re on the right track this time,” Paarwater said. “Last year, we peaked too early and didn’t do enough, but this year is important. We have put a lot of effort into the squad and aligned the teams well.”
Kenya finished fourth in last year’s Rugby Africa Cup, and Paarwater has pinpointed areas for improvement: “We struggled with our set pieces and conditioning, but today we showed progress. We can scrum, maul, and win lineouts. There’s still work to be done, but the games in South Africa will be a big test for us.”
The Simbas continue to build fitness and cohesion through domestic Kenya Cup matches and high-level training camps. Paarwater is confident the team is fitter and more prepared than any other in the region.
“There’s no team fitter than us right now in this region,” Paarwater stated. “We’ll keep working hard because we know what it takes to make history.”
With lessons learned from past disappointments and a deepening pool of talent, the Kenya Simbas are setting their sights firmly on Rugby World Cup qualification in 2027 — a milestone that would mark a new era for Kenyan rugby.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)