Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) today hired the services of New Zealand internationals Ian Snook and Murray Roulston as the coach and assistant coach resptcively for Simbas, the Kenya national rugby-15-a-side.
The duo, who have signed a contract for two years, replaces the fired Jerome Paarwater as they plan to steer the national team to qualify for 2019 Rugby World Cup
Snook will be the attack coach as Murray handles the defence. Both coaches have a combined half century of experience as coaches in both technical and strength and conditioning. They will handle the team for two years.
Kenya Simbas’ journey to the 2019 World Cup starts against Morocco in Rugby Africa Gold Cup clash that will double up as the qualifier on June 23 this year in Casablanca.
The Simbas will host Zimbabwe in Nairobi on June 30 before again hosting neighbours Uganda on July 7. The championship will take a four week break occasioned by the Rugby World Cup Sevens taking place from July 20-22 in San Francisco, USA.
The chase for continental supremacy will resume on August 11 when the Simbas host Tunisia in Nairobi but their away clash against Rugby Africa Gold Cup defending champions Namibia on August 11 will perhaps decide the winner and Africa’s second representative to the 2019 World Cup after South Africa.
Rugby Africa Gold Cup/ 2019 World Cup qualifier fixtures
Kenya v Morocco-June 23 (Away)
Kenya v Zimbabwe -June 30 (Home)
Kenya v Uganda -July 7 (Home)
Kenya v Tunisia -August 11 (Home)