Curtains closed on World Rugby Under-20 Trophy campaign, with Spain edging out Uruguay 39-32 in the final to clinch the title for the first time ever hence securing their place in the top flight of international age-grade rugby next year.
The Spanish under 20 rugby team captain Alvaro Garcia believes Kenya can become a powerhouse in rugby if it concentrates efforts on nurturing the talents of players at the age-grade level.
According to Garcia, his homeland Spain are currently reaping the fruits of grassroots development and opined that the same can materialise in Kenya.
“Rugby in Spain is just starting to grow. We say that it is a diamond that is just starting to shine. So, we have to work hard to take Spanish rugby as high as we can,” Garcia said.
Garcia described the whole tournament as a battlefield in which they had to be at their best to emerge tops.
“The whole tournament was tough…from day one to this match. Most of the matches had to be won in the last minute. It means a lot for us and we want to celebrate as much as we can because that is the main thing,” he said.
Kenya’s Chipu fell 64-10 to Zimbabwe in their fifth place play-off at the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday.
Zimbabwe started brilliantly in the opening exchanges quickly establishing dominance over their Kenyan counterparts and the early pressure paid off as Zimbabwe landed three quick converted tries in the opening twenty minutes to lead 21-0.
Kenya didn’t seem to help themselves as Brian Oduor was sent to the sin bin for a poor tackle. Zimbabwe capitalized on the extra man as they landed two more tries before the half time break with one converted successfully to put the scores at 33-0.
The junior Sables picked up from where they left in the first half drawing blood first in the second half through Simbarashe Kanyagarara.
Kenya landed their first points in the game in the 54th minute as Faran Juma landed a drop goal for three points.
A James Tsinalo try for Kenya gave the home crowd some consolation as Zimbabwe finished 64-10 victors.
