2011 NEWZEALAND RWC PRE-QUALIFIER/CAR CUP

Uganda versus Madagascar
Date: Saturday 2nd August 2008
Venue: Kampala RFC grounds
Time: 1630 Hours (Uganda U19 versus Uganda A curtain raiser at 14:30 hours)
Entrance fee: Ushs 10,000.

On Saturday the 2nd August 2008 Uganda takes a giant stride towards RWC 2011 which will be held in New Zealand when she hosts Madagascar at Kampala RFC grounds. The Madagascar national team nicknamed Makis jetted in on Tuesday 29th July.

The Rugby Cranes have played against Madagascar 4 times of which they have won thrice and only lost once. This is a repeat of the 2007 CAR final which Uganda comprehensively won 42-11 in Madagascar at the Stade de Mahamasina stadium in an ill tempered encounter. Several complaints were raised by the Ugandans against the hosts Madagascar for unsportsmanlike behaviour like eye gouging and crotch grabbing in the rucks and mauls.
Madagascar top the group after defeating Botswana 45-15 while Uganda are second on account of their 27-10 defeat of Botswana. If the Rugby Cranes defeat Madagascar they will qualify for the semi finals to be held next year. Uganda has scored an aggregate of 110 points against Madagascar in their last four encounters which means the hosts have an average of 28 points per game compared to the Makis who have an average of 19 points against Uganda.
The islanders though smaller in stature in comparison to the Ugandans are very feisty players whose strength lies in their speed, flair and ball handling skills. The Ugandans are expected to rely on their superior pack to subdue their opponents just like they did in the 2007 CAR final.
Key flanker Mathias Ochwo is missing on account of a suspension by the URU disciplinary committee. Rugby Cranes South African Coaching Director David Dobela and his assistant Yayiro Kasasa have trimmed the provisional squad down from 31 to 23 players and are expected to drop one player before Saturday's clash. Winger Denis Etuket has been dropped together with lock Eric Butime, Tim Mudoola (torn muscle) and hooker Solomon Mawanda who has a broken leg. Debutants are hooker Paul Barigye who has had a fantastic season with UTL Kobs and Bishop Onen who is set to start at the wing.
Kickoff is 1630 hours and the game will be officiated by Namibian match officials. There will be a curtain raiser match at 14:30 hours between Uganda U19's (who are in preparations for the CAR U19 competition in Tunis) and Uganda A (U23).

Uganda Rugby Cranes Team Sheet
  1. Ronald Adigasi
  2. Alexander Mubiru
  3. Kenneth Mutabaruka
  4. Victor Wadia
  5. Moses Soita - Vice Captain
  6. Robert Seguya
  7. Stephen Ogwete
  8. Adrian Bukenya
  9. Anthony Kinene
  10. Edmond Tumusiime
  11. Bishop Onen
  12. Tony Stone Lugya
  13. John Musoke - Captain
  14. Felix Lubega
  15. Allan Musoke
Replacements
16. Bobby Bibangambah
17. Paul Barigye
18. Ronny Mwisaka
19. Joel Anguyo
20. Drake Muyodi
21. Phillip Karumuna
22. Joel Kimuli
23. Brian Jemba
 
Management Team:
1. David Dobela          - Coaching Director
2. Yayiro Kasasa         - Coach
3. Henry Musoke        - Team Manager
4. Dr. Arthur Kwizera - Doctor
5. Fred Mayanja           - Physio