The rugby Cranes are no strangers to unusual locations, they are the most travelled team in the country at least the sevens version. Timothy Kisiga adding more mileage to his body count (lol). The official attendance for the game stood at 1200 out of 102,000, 1% of the population of the Walvis Bay were witness to this game. Making this the most attended game by percentage in Ugandan history. That would be akin to 70,000 Ugandans cramming into Namboole to cheer the Cranes on in any sport.
We also got a chance to look at the Cranes for the first time this year, even with the regulars watching from the sidelines or far away, we never shrieked.
GAME OF RANKS
Namibia ranked 21st in the world against Uganda 43rd in the World, in a ranking game a 15-point loss would earn Uganda a climb on the world rankings, for sheer numbers, the low flying Cranes had no business against the tough 5-time WorldCup participants. The Blue lost the ranking game, while the Cranes will rue the trial status game it never returned on investment.
ISA METRICS
Borrowing from the man of numbers, the charts themselves never lie. Please use isa metrics to show the range of numbers. He already has placed the charts online.
SETPIECE
Fahad Maido, at 24 years of age, came into the Front Row and picked up where he had stopped in the league. Setting a good spine for the always dominant Ugandan rumble, the Jinja boys are always are blessing to their team and a curse to their opposition. Hooker, Lock, Prop.Â
The line out we need to talk, Opio can jump but as a single option, he is a target for dirt drivers. Maul, not setting up a successful one ourselves and failing to defend one into the try area. We need more level 2 coaches involved at school level. The game was surely lost at the maul.
KICKING GAME
Much improved from last year, Kisiga made interesting up and under kicks. Some stressing but that is unusual for his running game. The Blue were comfortable returning them on foot and gaining ground with the bollocking back and second rows.
No successful 50/22 kick. Back to the levels of domestic coaching.
Kicking from the tee was suspect, ask the numbers above, more suspect were the sitting ducks missed by Yassin Wasswa and the monster in the wind from Liam Walker.Â
Verdict: this definitely will be decisive in Kampala in a fortnight.
OPEN PLAY
Uganda sometimes made incisions into enemy territory with boldness, but rarely with innovation, play felt too structured and continuous, they were rewarded with 7 penalties from offside gains, Liam made use of 3 of them but for most part, the reward was more sweat. A well worked try from the forwards was a good return on waiting.
Not many handling errors, not many unforced advantages.
CONDITIONING
Uganda for the last three games over rank opposition, concede in the first 10 minutes, it took them up to 20 minutes to breach the dam this time. Better awareness and lasting the whole game.
This comes from having many more league games go the distance. It can only get better.
PLAYERS
The number of notable absentees was glaring in the desert. It almost felt as if you will have a new backline this weekend in the Republic of South Africa.
The paradox of Aaron, a bloody good player who can’t miss out on easy bait. Wandera breaking out of his shell to take up the role his Captain left him to do.
Yasin Wasswa, William Nkore, Joseph Aredo, Liam Walker. Wow where as Walker and Aredo have the clutch genes, Nkore and Wasswa are Mr. get the job done every day.
Nkore, Isaac Massa, Ian Munyani, Philip Wokorach, Adrian Kasito, Innocent Gwokto weren’t seen lacing up in Namibia, we know they are part of the plan. Goodluck to the coaching team, we suspect Alex Aturinda, Desire Ayera will also feature prominently going forward.
THE SCORE
Every good meal must be eaten off the plate, failure to pick a win wasn’t a good sign heading out but it laid down the challenge heading home.
At the end of the day, no one remembers who came second.
