best rugby players 2024

Rugby Sevens Cranes head coach Tolbert Onyango has added four new faces to his roster to broaden the base as the tight schedule nears. They include Malcom Okello (Heathens), William Lukwago (Mongers), Mubarak Wandera (Pirates) and last season’s league top point scorer Robin Odrua from Mongers. The Uganda Rugby Sevens teams will launch their new season’s preparations with a trip to South Africa this weekend for the inaugural edition of the Willem Strauss International Rugby Sevens Tournament. The coach and sports administrator has been serving different roles at the club, including the secretary general. The All Blacks are fresh off a one-sided 47-5 thrashing against Fiji in the International Rugby Union. According to assistant coach Jason Ryan, his team has prepared for every challenge the teams in the RC will pose.

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  • Heading into the Rugby Africa Cup, Algeria were ranked number 69 in the world, a whopping 33 places behind Uganda.
  • I visit home three times yearly for personal reasons and utilize the opportunity when summoned to the national rugby team.
  • When you place a bet on any rugby game online, you have to ensure that you know exactly what you are doing.
  • Also, in terms of physicality, an average professional rugby player runs about 7-8 kilometers per game, with some players reaching even higher distances.
  • It definitely feels good that a responsibility of this kind is given to you.
  • In 2013, Wanyama joined London College of St. Lawrence on a fully paid sports scholarship (rugby), where he says he played the most beautiful rugby.

“We never played the game again because everyone was in pain after,” Wanyama narrated. For most, the Sports Gala as is foundly called is a time to rekindle old friendships, catch up and reminisce on the good old times and also network both on and off pitch. This year was no different, on the 10th of July, the old boys of the great Namilyango College gathered once again at MUBS for the 12th annual sports gala. The scheme is designed to increase the number of players, coaches and referees across the world and is helping the sport to reach more countries than ever before. Watching the students from the touchline is Rafatu Inusah, who has been playing rugby since 2009 and was one of the first women in Ghana to do so. In places like Ghana, where society is still overwhelmingly male-dominated and gender roles remain traditionally assigned, rugby — where it’s played — is seen as a man’s game.

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The tournament is now firmly established as one of the best on the HSBC Sevens World Series circuit. Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business. “I never looked back, and I am far better now,” Masaba said.

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Like some of the girls she trains, Inusah, 28, also wears a hijab when she plays and laughs at the idea that Muslim women can’t play the sport. The Government Chief Whip, Hamson Obua in his remarks, hailed the teams and the leadership of the Uganda Rugby Union for setting a high standard in Ugandan sports. A formidable force on the pitch, combining physical strength and a reserved personality, Aturinda plays as a loose forward for the Stanbic Black Pirates and the Uganda Rugby Sevens teams. He possesses good speed, agility, and a strong ball grip, which make him fit for the role. Lubambula described Aturinda as a brilliant athlete who always wants to better himself. “All the years I coached him, he executed leadership skills and was always at the forefront of any team decision, leading his teammates to better performance,” he said.

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best rugby players 2024

Since 2022 up to now, our boys always reach semi-finals and it is consistent. He started playing for Stanbic Black Pirates in his senior six vacation (2014), which he has been part of to date. When he joined Uganda https://ababet.org/ Christian University (UCU) in 2015 for a Bachelor of Social Work and Social Administration, Wanyama became part of the university team. In 2017, he played for UCU, where they won the Inter-University 7s.

From football to rugby: A success story

As such, it is also expected to be the toughest for Uganda. For the first time since Uganda started winning this cup, they have not had South Africa to worry about as is going to be the case this time. “We have put together a list of the best players to be able to perform,” Sakho said. Ousmane N’diaye plays for Union St Denis-Drancy in France which also has other players like Kaba Cisse, Lamine Sylla, Demba Kane, and Assane Ndiaye included in the squad. Senegal is one of the eight teams participating in this year’s Rugby Africa Cup, alongside hosts Uganda, Kenya, defending champions Namibia, Zimbabwe, Algeria, Ivory Coast, and Burkina Faso. The summons means the players will not feature in the Nile Special Sevens fourth series in Gulu this weekend.

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KCCA FC striker Muhammad Shaban won the football gong seeing off Makerere Ladies team’s Sharon Namatovu and Kitara’s Paul Mucureezi. Reigning Six Nations champions, Ireland kick off this year’s tournament on February 2, as they take on France in Marseille. Here’s a closer look at the full squad, plus a full fixture list for Ireland at the Six Nations 2024.

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Arguably the world’s best 15-a-side player, France’s Dupont will be the biggest draw after controversially pulling out of the Six Nations to focus on Olympic glory. The Rugby Sevens kicks off Wednesday at the Stade de France, two days ahead of the opening ceremony, with around 550,000 fans expected to attend over six days. The Paris Olympics will be a „coming of age“ moment for Rugby Sevens, World Rugby’s chief executive said Tuesday, on the eve of a tournament starring global legend Antoine Dupont.

Rugby Cranes chase fourth African title

Rehima Anguparu, the Nile Leopardess team Captain, attributed the championship to teamwork, saying everybody worked hard to ensure that the trophy comes home. According to Asiku, the championship means that the Nile Leopardess team is going for playoffs with other regions from Eastern, Central and Western Uganda in order to qualify for the core league. Since its inception in 2021, the club has not only pioneered the introduction of Rugby to an area predominantly focused on other sports but has also made significant strides in empowering the girls and the boys. Kevin Wanyama’s elder brother admires his relentless pursuit of the sport despite opposition from the family. “Conrad has devoted himself entirely to the sport.” The family has not been very supportive of his career. Sometimes they say he should get a job out of town, but that would mean not playing, which I don’t think he can do.

  • Japan will host the 2023 Rugby World Cup and the winner is regarded as the best rugby side on the planet.
  • If they advance, they’ll face either Namibia or Burkina Faso in the semifinals.
  • This injury ruled him out of games for close to three months, therefore delaying his first appearance on the national team.
  • Among the 12 African teams that are going to be down in Zimbabwe, only the winner will qualify for the Olympics next year.

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Yvonne Najjuma the Thunderbirds captain has made it clear they are back. “The League is only interesting when you have different teams break the dominence. We are back in this competition, come rain come sunshine. We are ready to play, the grace period for all this noise is done and dusted”. Conrad Wanyama picked up an interest in rugby in 2008, when he was in primary seven at St. Savio Junior School, Kisubi. They would peep into St. Mary’s College Kisubi, also known as SMACK, before the school’s wall fence was built and watch the students play rugby.

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South Africa is returning to the Castle Rugby tournament with a mission to end New Zealand’s dominance in the competition. The stage is set for the All Blacks to prove their might in this year’s Rugby Championship. New Zealand has a strong team led by a manager who knows his way around the Castle Lager tournament.

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  • Now, they have a mix of young and experienced players who’ve been playing passionately for their country.
  • The side got off to a great start with a win over the hosts Tunisia on Saturday at 11 am, with Grace Auma scoring two tries and converting once, a performance head coach Charles Onen credited to teamwork.
  • “Right now, you don’t know how many clubs in and out of Africa are interested in you, so you need to hold your heads high,” he said.
  • The objective was to put the best players to be able to perform.” He added.
  • New Zealand ranks second at 42% while Australia and Argentina are underdogs.
  • “I decided to go into the Islamic school in order to change that perception they have when you are playing rugby (that) ‘rugby is not for ladies or girls to play’,” she said.

Uganda Sevens are in Pool B with Hong Kong China, Tonga, and Mexico. They have only played against Mexico this season of the Challenger Series. Now, 16 years on, he is basking in the glory of guiding Liverpool to their first league title since 1990.

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South Africa leads the odds with a 60% implied probability of winning. New Zealand ranks second at 42% while Australia and Argentina are underdogs.

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  • As much as the opportunity came with a lot of pressure and tight competition, Aturinda was confident that he would play for them.
  • The Los Pumas have been working on fielding a squad strong enough to challenge perennial giants like the Boks and All Blacks.
  • The two teams last week clinched gold medals in Rugby 7s at the 13th edition of the continental event.
  • “All the years I coached him, he executed leadership skills and was always at the forefront of any team decision, leading his teammates to better performance,” he said.
  • Stanbic Black Pirates left Jinja with a double reason to smile after winning the Kyabazinga Sevens and the 2023 Nile Special title.
  • This has forced some of the senior players on the team to forge a way forward and that’s a strike which will be held very soon if they are not worked on in time.
  • The new squad relies on moving the ball around quickly rather than heavy contact.
  • About Black PiratesThe Black Pirates are a big family to include the Sailors who play in the division leagueand The Black Pearls who are our sister club and participate in the Women’s league that happens every year.

Head coach Fred Mudoola has already named a 28-man squad and will be tasked to deliver a rare piece of silverware for the Rugby Cranes. Following the captivating viral moment between Rihanna and Rhasidat Adeleke, the Irish track star relived the moment meeting one of the most famous people in the world who’s a huge fan of her talent. Olympic bronze medallist and ATHLOS standout sprinter Brittany Brown wants Diamond League organisers to invest more in prize earnings for athletes.

“You have made us very proud… all that training has paid off as you finally got crowned the champions of Africa,” he said. “Right now, you don’t know how many clubs in and out of Africa are interested in you, so you need to hold your heads high,” he said. Both teams, last night received a cash reward of Shs 50 million each from Nile Special during a welcoming dinner event held in Kyanja. As long-term supporters of rugby in Dubai, we have sponsored the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens since 1987 as our longest ever sponsorship.

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best rugby players 2024

Yet, Coach Erasmus has no doubts his squad has all it takes to win the upcoming Castle Lager Series. The All Blacks have won this competition four consecutive times. They have also lifted the trophy in 10 out of the last 12 meetings. Although the team has faced a few challenges in the past year, it has what it takes to defend the title.

Here’s a list of rugby competitions you can bet on in Uganda. Before you can even place a bet online, you have to know which betting markets are available for certain competitions. Each rugby tournament has specific betting options that cater to the type of matches that are played. Some competitions are free-scoring games with high scores while the more important matches are more conservative. Here are some of the betting markets you’ll find at a Ugandan betting site online. He played rugby again when he joined Mbarara High School for his senior year in 2015.

Winning the Africa Cup has opened doors for the young stars. This is going to help Uganda Rugby receive more funding from the government because they would really want to work a group that wins championships. This year we have shown that we are a force to reckon with. From the last I heard, govt has since increased budget for rugby from Shs300m to Shs1bn… That is not out of nowhere, it is because of the success we had as Africa Cup champions. It was a program we started in 2013 and these are good fruits of our hard work. The former Heathens star is in high spirits and determined to raise his game after attaining a rugby A-license which allows  him to play in the top-flight rugby league in France.

  • As long-term supporters of rugby in Dubai, we have sponsored the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens since 1987 as our longest ever sponsorship.
  • Thunderbirds who completed third on the log last season releasing the league title for the first time ain’t seated.
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  • A formidable force on the pitch, combining physical strength and a reserved personality, Aturinda plays as a loose forward for the Stanbic Black Pirates and the Uganda Rugby Sevens teams.
  • Kolbe was nominated for 2019 World Rugby Player of the Year but lost to teammate Pieter-Steph du Toit.
  • We have a combined all you need to know about betting on rugby online, from how to read rugby betting odds to tips on how to bet and win.
  • “They are my small village, and they are supposed to support me even before the outside world.” Nevertheless, he says he is building a legacy.

Knowing which team is pegged as favourites is simply not enough. You also have to make sure that you are betting on a site that has competitive odds and is regulated by a reputable third-party. Follow these steps to learn how rugby betting works online. I believe discipline and hard work go hand in hand, this is something that rugby players should always cherish in their careers. The most important one is financial discipline since accountability must be given after one’s professional career. Wanyama plans on playing professional rugby in the future.

“This victory is a testament to our hard work and dedication,” said Bob Kawanda, captain of the Walukuba Barbarians. They beat Jinja Hippos in an Eastern Uganda derby as Saturday’s final lived to the expectations. Off the pitch, Sevens tournaments are known for a festive atmosphere, with raucous fans often donning fancy dress.

However, just like any other sportsman, he says, “Sportsmen in Uganda are not yet as highly valued as compared to those in other countries,” which is a challenge. They’ll need to beat 11 others teams for the solitary remaining ticket to Paris in the Olympic Repechage set for June in Monaco, France. Besides the sevens, the highlight will be the much-awaited Rugby Africa Cup to be hosted for the first time in Uganda from July at the newly-refurbished Namboole Stadium. This edition’s inclusion of female teams from Rwanda highlighted the event’s expanding reach and inclusivity.

Surely, we shall be more dangerous than we have been today.” Odong said, adding they not worried about the coming matches because the zeal and commitment to sailing to the top is keeps rising every day. Godwin Kayangwe, the president of the Uganda Rugby Union described the teams‘ success as very exciting for the sports sector. Thereafter, he signed up for a one-year deal with Walukuba Rugby Club in Jinja, where he played in the 2018–19 season with the help of his coach at the time, Leonard Lubambula. Bamwesigye, who now plays for Rhinos Rugby Club, said Aturinda was more interested in football at the time while he was more interested in rugby.

The tournament will be played from September 6-8 in Modimolle Municipality, Northern Province of South Africa. Every rugby fan in the world found themselves glued on a screen somewhere for those who could not make the trip to the Stade de France in Paris to cheer on finalists South Africa and New Zealand. With Australia poised to host the RWC in 2027, Schmidt’s main goal is to prepare a squad strong enough to win the competition at home.

Squads for all six nations have been announced before the tournament kicks off in February, and it’s not long at all before the Guinness Six Nations is back on our screens. The tournament features eight teams, with Uganda facing Zimbabwe in the quarterfinals. If they advance, they’ll face either Namibia or Burkina Faso in the semifinals. We are doing good with the little we are receiving, if it’s made better, then we shall we able to show the world that Uganda has very good talent. I believe I am not the most talented but I gave it my all from day one while still in high school (Hanah Mixed International school).

However, that doesn’t mean he’s not interested in the Rugby Competition. The new squad relies on moving the ball around quickly rather than heavy contact. Previously, the team had back-to-back victories against Wales and Portugal. “I was one of the first ForteBet award winners in 2018 and winning it again is an honor. I have put in the hard shift and it will give me the zeal to keep competing,” he said. Scotland take on Wales in Cardiff on February 3, as they – like Italy – try once again to take home their first-ever Six Nations trophy.

In terms of statistics, according to World Rugby, rugby is played in over 120 countries, with more than 9.6 million registered players worldwide. Also, in terms of physicality, an average professional rugby player runs about 7-8 kilometers per game, with some players reaching even higher distances. The 1xBet platform has wagers on the best rugby players too.

In the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens’ 50-year history, we have been the event’s Official Sponsor since 1988. This injury ruled him out of games for close to three months, therefore delaying his first appearance on the national team. Because he was the only player on the team who took longer to appear, it was upsetting for him to see his teammates train and play without him. Surprisingly, Aturinda stopped playing football and joined rugby, which is considered a dangerous game by many. “When I was recovering, that was the same time my friends started persuading me into playing rugby,” he said.

England’s quest for their eighth Six Nations title begins on February 3, when they take on Italy at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. Here’s a closer look at the full squad, plus a full fixture list for England at the Six Nations 2024. It definitely feels good that a responsibility of this kind is given to you. It shows that you are trusted, you’re a leader, a mentor and everyone looks up to you. It is not something I take for granted, it is an honor and I will use it to the best of my ability. Results have been seen; Heathens won the championship and Uganda the Africa Cup.