Rugby Cranes get new coach
Kimono (with the ball) missed the Rugby Cranes Gold Cup tie against Tunisia after suffering a hamstring problem. File photo
What you need to know:
Rugby. John Duncan becomes the second coach in six months for Rugby Cranes. He replaces fellow South African Johann Beukes, who resigned recently citing personal reasons
Kampala.
John Duncan has replaced fellow South African Joe Beukes as Uganda Rugby Cranes coach.
Duncan, from Free State Rugby Union, arrived in Kampala yesterday to take over from Johann Beukes (also from Free State), who quit last week citing personal reasons.
The coach met the national team at Kyadondo Rugby Club last evening and will watch from the stands when they take on Kenya in the return leg of the Elgon Cup on Saturday.
He is expected to guide the side through their Confederation of Africa Rugby qualification.
Kenya won the Elgon Cup first leg in Nairobi 20-17 and Uganda need to win by at least four points to secure the title. The Rugby Cranes will, however, have to finish the job at Legends grounds without Justin Kimono.
Kimono has been banned for two weeks for a headbutt on Kenya’s fly half Kennedy Moseti in the first leg.
Interim coach Robert Seguya, a renowned disciplinarian has, however, defended Kimono.
“It was just an action anyone can take because it was in the heat of the moment,” said Seguya, who is likely to be named Duncan’s assistant.
Kimono’s suspension will be greeted with excitement among Kenyan fans as the wing is Cranes’ most prolific try scorer in recent times. Since making his Cranes debut in 2012, he has scored six Elgon Cup tries against Kenya. Seguya is confident Uganda will cope without Kimono.
