Kenya national rugby league team

The Kenya national rugby league team represent Kenya in the sport of rugby league football. The goal was to qualify into 2025 Rugby League World Cup for the first time.

Not to be confused with Kenya national rugby union team.
Kenya
Team information
Governing bodyKenya Rugby League Association
RegionEurope
Head coachEdward Rombo
CaptainDominic Mose
Uniforms
First colours
Team results
First international
 Kenya 34–24 Italy 
(Watamu, Kenya 25 March 2014)
Biggest win
 Kenya 34-24 Italy 
(Watamu, 25 March 2014)
Biggest defeat
N/A
World Cup
Appearances0

History

They made their international rugby league debut against Italy where Kenya defeated them 34-24 in front of over 5000 fans at a local primary school in Watamu.[1] The team was hastily formed from selection of local rugby union players. They were introduced to the rules and regulations in rugby league for merely one week before the match.[2]

The match was symbolic to and began revival the development of rugby league in Kenya and eventual formation of Kenya Rugby League Association in 2019.

Future Plan

The team expected to participate in 2025 Rugby League World Cup qualifiers beginning from 2022.[3] In 2020, they engaged continental powerhouse South Africa, Spain and Morocco, who expressed interest in playing test matches in Nairobi depending on the situation of COVID-19 pandemic.

2014 Squad
2014 Kenya Squad
First team squad Coaching staff
  • 1 Allan Limo
  • 2 Simon Kisaka
  • 3 Mike Shibudu
  • 4 Nelman Likami
  • 5 Collins Ochieng
  • 6 Mackenzie Silla
  • 7 Kevin Macharia
  • 8 Bob Mutwiri
  • 9 Jeremy Chimwani
  • 10 Allan Omuka
  • 11 Dominic Mose
  • 12 Dennis Oyombe
  • 13 Hyke Otieno
  • 14 Sora Hassan

Head coach

  • Jason Hammond


Legend:
  • (c) Captain(s)
  • (vc) Vice captain(s)

Updated: 24 May 2014
Source(s): debut match 2014

Coaches

The current headcoach of the Kenyan team is “The Eagle” Edward Rombo, who was the first Kenya professional rugby league player to play for Leeds Rhinos, Dewsbury Rams and Featherstone Rovers in the early 90s. He was appointed in May 2020.[4]

Rombo will lead the national team’s program in collaboration with ‘Giving Rugby Foundation’ to provide technical support in the federation’s development in the area of skills and defence.[5]

“As a pioneer rugby league player from Kenya. I’m happy to play my part in ensuring the sports takes root in Kenya and have a strong National team hoping to take part in the future world cup,” said Rombo. He contended that rugby league was a more simple game version than rugby union and his philosophy would be to utilize natural running abilities among Kenyans and keep the ball alive as much as possible.[6]

See also

References
  1. "Rugby league is a big hit in Kenya". LOVE RUGBY LEAGUE. 2014-03-26. Retrieved 2015-08-29.
  2. Ayodi, Ayumba (2020-06-20). "Finally, time ripe for rugby league". Daily Nation. Retrieved 2020-08-08.
  3. Njuguna, William (2020-08-07). "Homeboyz set to form a team for for[sic] rugby league debut". The Star. Retrieved 2020-08-08.
  4. Daly, Phil (2020-05-18). "Former Leeds winger Rombo named Kenyan national head coach". Leeds Rhinos. Retrieved 2020-08-08.
  5. Njuguna, William (2020-05-19). "Rombo appointed Kenya Rugby League national team coach". The Star. Retrieved 2020-08-08.
  6. Osano, Bonface (2020-05-18). "Legendary Edward Rombo Appointed First Kenya Rugby League Head Coach". Kahawa Tungu. Retrieved 2020-08-08.
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