The national under-20 rugby team, affectionately known as the Chipu, have intensified their preparations for the upcoming World Rugby Under-20 Trophy.
Following their triumphant return from the Barthes Cup in Zimbabwe, the team recently concluded a vital one-week residential training camp at the Kenya Academy of Sports. Head coach Simon Jawichre emphasized the camp’s focus on conditioning to shake off any inactivity within the squad.
Jawichre noted, “Since our return from Zimbabwe, we hadn’t convened until this week, barring those involved in the super series. This camp was about reuniting the team and reigniting their synergy. We’ve successfully tackled the rustiness, with over 95% attendance, excluding those in the enterprise cup.”
Looking ahead, the Chipus’ next training phase promises to be more rigorous, as the team is now well-informed about their contenders in the World U20 trophy tournament, scheduled from July 2nd to 17th in Scotland.
“The forthcoming camp will delve deeper into tactical coaching, tailored to our opponents. We’ve selected the strongest lineup possible for this age group, maintaining a pool of 35 players, with the top 28 set to travel,” Jawichre explained.
The coach also highlighted the positive impact of the national sevens team, Shujaa, returning to the HSBC World Series. He believes this success will inspire the Chipus and garner increased support from the Kenyan Rugby Union (KRU) and the nation.
Jawichre added, “Shujaa’s achievements have galvanized not just the players but also our supporters. It’s a testament to the progress in Kenyan rugby, providing us with additional motivation and a better mental state.”
After a brief break, the Chipus will reconvene for training on June 12th. Their World U20 campaign kicks off against Uruguay on July 2nd, followed by matches against the Netherlands on July 7th and the USA on July 12th. The team’s commitment and recent successes have set the stage for what promises to be an exciting tournament in Scotland.
