Rugby Cranes and the lesson of the Rugby Africa Cup 

Just like luck is referred to, it may not be an entirely proved mindset, but the cliché in sport is that ‘home advantage’ delivers results.

That was probably the thinking in the minds of many rugby fans, when Uganda were picked by Rugby Afrique to host the Rugby Africa Cup for the first time, between July 20 and 28, 2024.

However, at the end of it all, Uganda, who in the minds of many home fans, were primed to win the tournament for the second time in their history, the first one being in 2007, ended finishing fifth overall out of eight nations. Inevitably there was a lesson to pick from this.

Two years ago in Marseille, France, where the last Africa Rugby Cup was held, Uganda finished fifth. While the position this time did not change, the performance two years on looked better. Unlike in 2022, when the team was hurriedly assembled, coach Fred Mudoola, who had also just been appointed, did not have ample time to prepare his charges.

No wonder, in the quarter-final game, the Rugby Cranes were not in the right physical shape to withstand the battering of their neighbours, Kenya. Uganda lost that one 7-42. Compare that to this time, when they again lost to Zimbabwe at the same stage, it was by two points, 20-22 being the result in favour of a team that were eventual champions.

Although that may have proved to be a consolation, and clearly one many home fans possibly hang onto to ease the disappointment of not winning, Mudoola noted that the team’s struggle on defence still left him puzzled.

“Surely, with our composition, we can defend better. Our failure to defend well is the major reason we did not make the top four.”

Good defending is the bedrock of good rugby teams. But to consider that for Uganda to secure fifth place ahead of Senegal, they needed extra-time of 20 minutes, and then a late penalty by Joseph Aredo, to win it 34-31 in sudden death, was a concern. World Rugby ranks Uganda at number 36, while Senegal are at number 61.

Ordinarily, with such a gap in ranking, Senegal should never have been a big bother, yet they proved to be. Two years ago in the placement semi-final, Uganda edged them 30- 29, and clearly Senegal seems to have closed the gap on Uganda. In 2022, Uganda won fifth place, after they beat Ivory Coast 18-17. Ivory Coast are ranked number 47.

The aforementioned statistics are significant in many ways. Mudoola said: “We must, as a priority, have our strength and conditioning (S&C) better. Without it, it is difficult to compete with the best, because it impacts your movement and overall application.”

In addition, without a protracted S&C programme, it will be difficult for the team to have the endurance and mettle to defend as tenaciously required against top teams such as Namibia or Zimbabwe, who won the cup with a 29-03 win over Algeria.

Heading into the Rugby Africa Cup, Algeria were ranked number 69 in the world, a whopping 33 places behind Uganda. Yet, their display was deserving of the final they made. The bottom-line is that Algeria has benefited from the fact that a host of their players, ply their trade in Europe, where the facilities and support system are good, to aid player growth.

Inevitably, that brings into focus the quality of the domestic league. The Uganda Rugby Union has a responsibility to improve it. But to do that, logistics are needed, that can enable players from which the Rugby Cranes is picked, to train a lot more than the two times in a week.

Primarily, the reason why the Rugby Cranes Sevens side has made tremendous strides, is because of contracted players, who train more regularly. But at the same time, they have had more international engagements. The fifteens rugby side needs the same.

Otherwise, to concede 68 points in three test games like Uganda did in the Rugby Africa Cup, is only the normal for teams that won’t qualify for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, which is Uganda’s ultimate objective from next year’s qualifiers.

jovi@observer.ug