Chipu has been pooled alongside Japan, Uruguay and the Rugby America’s North winner (Canada or USA) in Pool A of the World Rugby U20 Trophy.
The tournament will be held from 9th to 21st July in Sao Jose Dos Campos, just outside Sao Paulo in Brazil with a total of eight teams battling each other for a slot in the World Rugby U20 Championship.
Japan were relegated from the U20 Championships last year hence them being the top seeds in the tournament. Pool B comprises of Tonga, Portugal, Hong Kong and hosts Brazil.
Tuesday 9th July will be the first match day with Chipu facing Uruguay at 11:00pm EAT, on Saturday 13th Chipu will meet the eventual RAN winner at 11:00pm EAT before wrapping up their pool matches on Wednesday 17th July at 6:00pm EAT against Japan. All the matches will be played at the Martins Pereira Stadium.
“Uruguay have been in this tournament for about seven consecutive years, Japan on paper seem to be the strongest team having been relegated from the U20 Championships and USA and Canada have always been very seasoned and organized sides. We have had video analysis sessions of this level or rugby, which the current team has not been exposed to before. The pace played by the teams in our pool is going to test us but we’re confident in our defense which is what got us through Namibia.” Said Head Coach Paul Odera.
“We are working on our kicking which is where we have been some challenges. The players are really working hard and they have taken up the culture of individual responsibility. We are in the third week of our conditioning sessions as we wait for the local 15s league to end so that all the players who are representing their clubs can now fully focus on the U20 Trophy. We also have players abroad who are sitting their exams and once they are done, they will join the full squad.” Concluded Odera.
Chipu qualified for the tournament after a 21-18 win over defending Champions Namibia in Nairobi on 7th April 2019 to lift the Africa U20 Champions title.
Chipu Timings At The World Rugby U20 Trophy
9th July: Uruguay vs Chipu – 11pm EAT
13th July: RAN Winner vs Chipu – 11pm EAT
17th July: Japan vs Chipu – 6pm EAT
