Kenya Simbas have been dealt a major blow after playmaker Jone Kubu was ruled out of the next month's Rugby World Cup repechage in Dubai
The Fijian-born utility back sustained a wrist injury during Saturday's scrimmage between Team Red and Team Green at the RFUEA ground.
Simbas team manager Jimmi Mnene said: “Kubu suffered an injury to his left wrist and unfortunately, our mercurial fly-half will be out of the Repechage campaign. It’s obviously tough for him. However, management of the injury has commenced and we shall monitor his progress. As a technical team led by Paul Odera, we shall walk the full recovery journey with him.”
He added: “I am not 100 percent sure in terms of what date he will return to training and play but I know he is out of the Simbas Repechage campaign. I wish him all the best in his recovery.”
Kubu's injury means head coach Paul Odera will have to rejig his attacking options, especially in the fly-half position.
Odera is already without United Kingdom-based Dominic Coulson and utility back Andrew Matoka due to academic commitments at their respective institutions of learning in England and the USA.
The team has been in residential training camp since Monday last week and Odera is expected to name his 30-man squad tomorrow following the match on Saturday.
“It was an entertaining match. The players played to the best of their ability and now it is up to us to select the best 30 players for the Repechage," he noted.
The Simbas were due to go for a three-week training camp in South Africa but the trip was shelved due to a lack of funds.
Odera has, however, maintained that his charges are ready for the repechage as they prepare to face the USA in their opening match on November 6 in Dubai.
“Our training has gone according to plan and e have worked a couple of facets of play. Despite the challenges we have had in the last two months, the mood in the team is upbeat and we are all ready for the event," added Odera
The Simbas will also face Portugal and Hong Kong during ~the two-week tournament.
