It has not gone according to plan for the Uganda men’s rugby Cranes team, who are now languishing in the 9th-place playoffs.
It was a day one to forget for the Rugby Cranes, who lost two consecutive games to start their Dubai campaign. Germany saw off Coach Tolbert’s boys 19-05 in the first game, while Kenya came out on top of the East African derby, winning 29-07.
Day two saw the Cranes get into the winning column, pummeling misery on Mexico to win 40-14 after a strong 26-00 first half.
Adrian Kasito was unstoppable, registering a hat-trick, while Alex Aturinda repaid the trust to start him with a barnstorming try through bodies.
Despite the win, Uganda was hopeful Tonga would upset Japan so they could sneak into the main cup quarterfinals, but the latter proved too strong for Tonga.
Results beyond the Cranes’ control saw the lads finish third in their group and as the third-best third team, relegating them to a 9th place playoff.
They are set to come up against Mexico (Third-best 4th placed team), a team they have already beaten on Day 2.
Ninth is the lowest Uganda have finished at the Challenger Series – doing the same in 2020 in Montevideo. That year, the Cranes beat Paraguay 56-07 in the 9th placement quarterfinal and beat Papua New Guinea 22-19 in the 9th place Semi before beating Zimbabwe 26-24 in the 9th Place final.
Courtesy Photos
