I read ex-international Martin Kasasira's missive, in his true abrasive style with mounting interest. I agree with him on most of his points. Below is my rejoinder to his article.

Rugby Cranes Nairobi Saga

I am not sure about Martin's figure of 5 lost line outs of our own, I counted  3 & 2 steals of our own but the fact is these are still alarming errors at this level. I also agree with Martin that we have never comprehensively beaten Kenya over 80 minutes, they have done that to us home and away several times but we have never really dominated them even when we win. Those cosmetic wins in the first leg Elgon cup 2007/8 had glaring accidents waiting to happen that we never fixed because it is common knowledge that Uganda need heavy defeats to wake up and smell the coffee. In both first leg wins Kenya's technical team managed to dominate the second half to their advantage, which is good for an away team. They won the second half although they lost the game over the 80 minutes but this was enough to secure a home win at Ngong road. Our philosophy is that when we win or sometimes come away with a narrow defeat against a highly rated opponent, it's all good, no errors are ever evident. In 2006 Chester Williams who engineered a huge margin victory over Ivory Coast, an amazing come from behind 22 -20 away victory over Kenya(Elgon Cup 2006) with his usual high standards said Rugby Cranes played terribly in those games!!!!!I did not watch the 2006 Elgon Cup second leg game live but almost all travelling fans(some of them respected pundits) told me it was all one way traffic for Uganda and the score line flattered Kenya!!!!Chester Williams was indeed 100% correct in his assessment because when I watched the recorded match both teams we evenly matched and I dare say if there were an extra 5 minutes of the game Kenya would have won. In Uganda's 24-12 semi final win over Kenya in the 2007 CAR competitions the hype was the same, that the score line was flattering and it was one way traffic for Uganda...I have not watched the recorded version but I bet my two pence that match was evenly balanced (Someone please avail the recorded version, I'll pay top dollar).We need a proper scientific, analytical and statistical reading of these wins/defeats not emotive and sensational fantasy opinions. The current debacle points to a lack of leadership for the team!

Martin's missive of the players/Team Selection

-Soita seems to have been ambushed with the vice captaincy and I believe even he would agree with me he is better placed in his responsibilities as a key team player as opposed to these extra responsibilities. For his very high standard as a key line out jumper his performance in this area in Nairobi was disappointing. That aside he was still our best forward in Kenya and should be allowed to flourish as a team player not leader.
-Seguya got a hand/elbow injury as early as the 2nd minute after getting caught under Wilson K'opondo's unsportsmanlike stamping. This unsettled him for the rest of the game. There is no question about the reigning MVP's importance to the team. It is also no secret the grape vine is awash (just like last year) with his imminent dropping from the national team. Can he replicate last year's form and disprove his critics? I can bet my pension on it.
-I agree with the comment on John Musoke and I am sure deep down he agrees with Martin. Those 3 chances at the posts that he overlooked cost us BIG TIME...!
-If Adrian cannot be reinstated as Captain then the most logical successor is Tim Mudoola and any one who cannot see that is soft in the head. Politics and egos must be cast aside in favour of national interests and results.
-As per Martin's comment about this being the worst performance of the Uganda pack, I say he is wrong as last year's performance in Nairobi was even more pathetic. It was however obvious the second leg preparations last year were bordering comedy.
-Martin's comment of Mubiru playing little rugby this year is not correct as he only missed 3 league games after serving his ban. Yes he did have a poor game after putting up a good performance against Madagascar...Barigye is just transforming from prop to hooker and from the training sessions and friendlies still needs to improve his throw ins but is a very exciting prospect especially at open play. He has had a storming season for champs Kobs and will make a good partnership with Mubiru at hooker. Fred Mudoola..hint, hint..keep him at hooker at club level after all the equally talented Wako Wandera is 'like now you see me, now you don't..'
-I cannot blame Allan Musoke when he had a fly half who kept kicking the ball to the opposition rendering his backs almost redundant. The African leopard touched the ball twice in 80 minutes!!!Oh!...there was one error but it was caused by another-a forward however Humphrey Khayange broke Allan's cross cover tackle to score a try! That rarely happens to Sokee.
-19 year old Joel Kimuli starting an away game against Kenya of all teams was a fatal error!(This coming after another new cap against Madagascar who was at fault in the first try-which the islanders executed with a 4 man overlap!!!!)..John Musoke should have started at fly half with Simon Wakabi sweeping at full back, Wakabi's incisiveness would have turned the Kenyan bombs into deadly counter attacks. This combination would have brought the backs into play, I have heard an argument John Musoke would not release the ball at 10 but he can break the line effectively at midfield, something he has done over the years. When John was switched to 10 later in the game the ball moved from one touchline to the other for our final try! I would have played old horse John Musoke at pivot and put Joel on the bench..Indeed Edmond Tumusiime who was a better player at Kimuli's age was still following the squad system playing shield(division II rugby) for Boks and only got his first cap by mistake after there were no fly half's-last one at the time Ronnie Lutakome serving a lengthy ban..Kimuli despite scoring a brilliant individual try completely rendered his backs useless. He chose to punt for touch repeatedly even when he was always unsuccessful thus giving away allot of possession.The kick offs were also a disaster-a clear case of nerves...this was in sharp contrast to his opposite number Lavin Asego who was clearly the lecturer teaching his student how to use his boot. I interviewed Kenya Captain Innocent Simiyu and Lavin Asego and they concurred our fly half was too one dimensional! I countered saying the kid was merely following the instructions..Please do not ask me what the retort was...
-Ogwete after many years of putting his hand up with solid performances finally got a call up but has been kept on the bench with brief appearances but even then he has picked up 2 tries (one of them away in Botswana) but is given only 8 minutes against Kenya!!Anguyo seems to have gotten a start on a/c on his being the lead kicker(a task at which he blew hot and cold fluffing an easy last minute kick to tie the game),he should have partnered with Soita at lock(& shared the kicking responsibilities with Wakabi) and Ogwete given a start at openside. It is still evident Mathias Ochwo East Africa's best fetcher's shoes are still too big to be filled. Mwisaka was a sorry sight and Heathens is largely to blame for deploying out of position as a make shift prop all season!
-Why the best no.8 in the 2008 league-Roger Rukundo is not on the team has baffled me. The last answer I got before Elgon Cup was that he had an injury. Strange that an injured player almost single handedly destroyed Pirates in the last game of the league and the Uganda Cup final. Stranger things have happened!
-Adigas for me has had a big dip in form in all this year's internationals. His binding technique was poor and even in open play-an advantage Uganda's front row have he has been anonymous. Him and Mwisaka were completely floored repeatedly by the Kenyan Tight Head. Fred 'garlic' Mudoola is badly missed here. We have a big problem at loose head.
-Against Kenya the whole backrow was sub par and Adrian got the most hits on the team but never lost that ball though rarely beat the gain yard either. Adrian's very high standards are without question and he can be expected to pick it up a notch against Tunisia. Those slips, even against Madagascar..what's with the boots?
-Bishop's diss for me is unfair and I disagree with Martin...He played barely 3 minutes in which he broke a line, grubbered to touch. We won that lineout and that is how the ball came to John Musoke(now at 10) who released his back players, and the try was well worked by Barigye and Wakabi all late substitutions. Against a rampant Madagascar in a game Uganda was supposed to loose but for individual tries-Bishop came on and took the ball up to his opponents, always gaining ground, never turning over the ball. If Martin had watched more league games will agree with me Bishop has made a remarkable improvement from the dreadlocked Rasta we used to laugh at. Having said that, the local league has not produced any outstanding wingers and the pretenders are were still miles away from Allan Musoke who was under par in the league.

I always believe in sticking with a winning formula. Experience has held Uganda in good stead just like the Wallabies who are the most successful world cup nation. There is no rush with pushing for new caps (especially when URU has failed to keep U19, U23 structures competitive putting undue pressure on the senior team to cap many of these kids in key competitions like RWC, Elgon Cup) as many of the old hands probably will not take part in the 2011 RWC in NZ, all we need is their experience to ensure qualification..no need to rock the boat now. It is common knowledge especially with forwards that they get better with experience and if the people in charge do not know this then we are in a quagmire.

There was a similar outcry (though belated) as the game of sevens sunk into an abyss but it seems the powers missed the point. What I mean is after all that hullabaloo the national 7's team was put on a bus to go and take part in the Tusker safari 7's (What a show of organisation and ambition).I cannot remember the last time the national men’s rugby team boarded a bus for an international.RWC 7's are round the corner and it is already too late,..we are not too late for the RWC 2011 fifteens world cup. Can we wake up and smell the coffee.

A very intensive off season training camp, possibly with 2-3 international friendlies must be put into considerations. We have a highly qualified medical doctor with a sports science qualification who needs to be supported in putting our players on fitness, strength and conditioning schedule but the last I heard Dr Arthur Kwizera's position on the national team is not even defined! Another SOS to SARU in terms of their training facilities and technical assistance must also be considered after the final team for Tunisia has been selected.

The planning and preparations must start now not tomorrow.

For God and My Rugby

By Peter ofong
Sports Scribe.(Click on the link for comments and reactions)