Veteran on-lookers would take one look at the table at the end of the fourth outing in the Championship and say “the table is starting to take shape” but that is far from the truth.
Different aspects of rugby in Uganda show that particular pointers have been on show til this week that we can’t ignore.
1. Fear the horn
The Rhinos have mastered a silent but resilient and impressive run. The Legends-based side is the only team with a perfect record to start the campaign; four wins from four games.
They are only second to the Heathens, who are top owing to points difference. The Heathens, however, have a draw and can only master the same number of points because they regularly pick up bonus points.
Back to the matter, the Rhinos, since rebooting after the Shell Rimula era, have been assembling a unit of the young and hungry, and the results of this recruitment are starting to bear fruit.
We are in no way expecting magic from the side, but this show of achievement, long may it continue!!
2. Hippos inch ever closer
After lifting the 2022 National Sevens crown, everyone felt like it was the perfect cornerstone to launch their dismantling of the duopoly, or rather triopoly of the Heathens, KOBs and now Pirates. 2023 wasn’t quite that, but maybe now, we can see why.
They set a platform to launch their ambitions. For any other side, having to play KOBs, Pirates and Heathens in their opening four fixtures is deemed unfair.
Not the Jinja Hippos. Out of those games, they have managed a win (against the KOBs), a draw (against the Heathens) and a nervy loss at the hand of defending champion, Stanbic Black Pirates. A BP loss to the defending champions is a decent result in any sports discipline.
The Jinja Hippos are giving nightmares to the expected Kampala dominance of rugby and you love to see it.
You can argue that they have relatively lighter matches until the playoffs and you’ll be expecting somewhere up the log setting themselves up for a good playoff opening round.
3. Nathan Bwambale, please stand up!
Stanbic Black Pirates hooker Bwambale Nathan is enjoying the form of his life, ladies and gentlemen.
Player of the match Nathan Bwambale shared his thoughts at full time.
— Fat Cats Podcast 🏉🎙️ (@fatcatspod) February 25, 2024
Another win in the bag for the Sea Robbers.#FatCatsPod pic.twitter.com/Hqaiwv8wcK
Away to the Heathens in the opening weekend, he was the perpetual source of gain-line success for the Pirates. A week later against the KOBs, he absorbed the home advantage and put the forwards on himself and carried them.
Against the Hippos, carrying and defending against James Okello and Eliphaz Emong, he stood up to be counted, taking them on pound-for-pound, with a little addition of his twinkle toes Sidesteps.
Hooker is a specialist position in rugby, and he has added lots of mobility and stability to the position to help the Pirates dominate opponents time and time again. He’s arguably the best thrower of the ball at the lineout, a menacing ball carrier and a jackal at the breakdown.
4. Rugby is all about the basics
More often than not, Ugandan rugby players have been fond of “playing the referee” and trying to be fancy rather than play who’s in front of them and use the basics to beat them.
The tides look like they are turning. Every play is available to be contested and quick action will give you the edge over your opponent.
In the Hippos’ arsenal this year, they have added a ferocious counter-rack. They attack in a pod with a tackler rolling away quickly so the support can go over the ball, and prevent the opponent from releasing it.
In this particular action, the Heathens were not ready for when they went to Jinja. They found themselves running into traffic without support and left themselves exposed, prime for jackals.
Against the Pirates, it really didn’t register as much success as the team disentangled and everyone decided to hunt for personal glory when they lost the mature calm head of Emong Eliphaz.
But, with time, it will be an identity for the Hippos like it became for Wallaby David Pocock.
5. Revenge is the mission, maybe.
In the just concluded Uganda Cup, the Lifeguard Rams made it to the final, at the surprise of everyone, even themselves.
At the end of the finale, Coach Lumu sounded a stern warning to all and sundry that the team was coming to crash everyone in the Championship.
This looks to have boomeranged. The Rams are still the only side without a win after four games played, with their latest tormentor, being the Walukuba Barbarians, whom they beat away in the group to deny them a playoff chance.
The Kampani’s Eagles are having mixed fortunes in the Championship. They have registered one win and three straight losses.
The Warriors exerted revenge on them, beating them 32-13. The Eagles in June 2023, defeated the Warriors in the promotional playoff before the premiership was expanded to 12 teams to form a championship.
Was it a case of the Warriors showing they had been here before and couldn’t lose twice in a row to the Eagles? Maybe. Maybe not.
One thing is certain – however the relegation battles play out – the Rams, Warriors, Eagles and Impis are ready to make it a dog’s breakfast.
Courtesy Photos
