Lady Rugby Cranes eye top four finish in Montevideo

The second round of the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger kicks off on March 8, at Estadio Charrúa in Montevideo, Uruguay.

Uganda's two national teams the Rugby Cranes Sevens and the Lady Rugby Cranes Sevens arrived in Montevideo on Monday and have settled in well.

In Montevideo, the women's side is looking to build on the good results picked up in the first round played in Dubai in January this year, to finish in the top four, to strengthen their chances of qualifying for the final tournament in Madrid.

Lady Rugby Cranes tactician Charles Onen made two changes from the team that played the first round, dropping Janat Nandudu and Yvonne Najjuma.

Nandudu was dropped due to inexperience in the big tournaments, while Najjuma was dropped due to disciplinary issues.

Racheal Nandawula and winger Grace Auma replaced the duo.

Nandawula missed all Sevens tournament last year while working on recovery from maternity leave and Auma has been off from the scene due to the injury she sustained during the Africa Sevens in Tunisia.

Before the team traveled to Montevideo, Onen mentioned his team's target.

“We go to Uruguay with the target of again finishing in the top four; it will give us a strong base of qualifying for Madrid when we travel for the third round in Poland.”

Lady Rugby Cranes is in Pool C with Argentina, Thailand, and Mexico. Uganda lost to Thailand 19-7 in the group stage before losing to Argentina 36-10 for the third play-off in Dubai.

Thailand is Uganda’s opponent in the group opener on Friday at 5:30pm (E.A.T)

Currently, the Lady Rugby Cranes are standing fourth in the standings with 14 points.

For the Men’s side, the Rugby Cranes Sevens, working out for the final finish looks to be a miracle but it’s now a requirement for them if they are to light chances of qualifying for the final tournament in Madrid.

“We have worked on all our mistakes that we did in Dubai, we have watched a lot of Videos to clear those mistakes and now let us wait and see what Montevideo has for us.” Team Captain Ian Munyani stated before the team traveled to Uruguay.

Coach Tolbert Onyango made three changes in his team from the team that finished ninth in Dubai

Workaholic Nobert Okenyi and Timothy Mugisha replaced William Nkore and winger Bartholomew Roy Kizito while Philip Wokorach returned for Davis Shimwa.

Uganda is in Pool C with hosts Uruguay, old foes Germany, and Papua New Guinea.

The black, yellow, and red boys will start the South America campaign on Friday against Germany at 9:30 pm (E.A.T)

In Dubai, Rugby Cranes did not make it past the Group stage that had Kenya, Germany, and Mexico.

Currently, they stand ninth on the team log of 12 with four points.

In the opener in Dubai, Kenya Shujaa emerged winners with 22 points in the Men’s category while China finished top in the women's category.

2024 World Rugby Sevens Challenger, Montevideo Event, Men Fixture

Friday

Germany vs Uganda - 9:30pm (E.A.T)

Saturday

Uruguay vs Uganda - 2:32am (E.A.T)

Uganda vs Papua New Guinea - 9:08pm (E.A.T)

2024 World Rugby Sevens Challenger, Montevideo Event, Women Fixture

Friday

Uganda Vs Thailand - 5:30pm (E.A.T)

Uganda Vs Mexico - 10:22pm (E.A.T)

Saturday

Argentina Vs Uganda - 5:37pm (E.A.T)