The SILVER BACKS are back after ten days in Hong Kong

The Rwanda rugby team is back from the Altus rugbyfest 2012 that took place in Kowloon in Hong kong city.
It was the third time for the team to represent Rwanda.

As we contacted some players, they said that,the rugby week in Hong Kong plus the 7's is just wonderful as always, and they were more teams than before at the tournament this year, that was good experience ,said Bikamba Lucien the team captain. The weather was good and we did our best during the games, the quarter finals were tight, we even played the extra times, and ended with  a draw, so we had to do the kicking , we just narrowly won, then we lost to Kowloon legends in the semis, not so bad. But we need to practice hard", continued the captain.At the end of the tournament , the team was awarded a trophy for the most sociable team for their discipline, great performance and their fair play in and out the field.

The Rwanda team had also a great time with the New Zealand mighty 7's team.That is really great and it is like a dream for me and many players because we use to see them just on TV and it is the world best 7's team, also said Lucien Bikamba and Benjamin Makombe. "They are good athletes and they remind me about the Kenyan team, this is how they were in few years ago,but now they are among the best teams in 7's, I think we will be seeing the Rwandan team in the future because these boys have got ,talent, just like the Kenyans" said Gordon Tietjens,the New Zealand 7's team.They also did some training courses with the famous Penguins internationals and got a chance to learn more about rugby, then did some social rugby events at KGV with all the kids at Kings Park , play  at Bali Memorial game at the Hong Kong Rugby Football Club.And finally they had  fun and enjoyed at the Hong Kong stadium  at the south stand during the  7's world series games where every Rwandan player dreams to play.
IT is great time great experience from the team to do, well representing our country , they were good ambassadors.

We thank the Hong kong rugby community for all the hospitality they always provide for us, their support in everything and especially Dave Hughes who is a brave man, always working hard to make rugby in Rwanda on a high standard , many appreciations.
We also thank Air Asia to let the team in the plane with over 20 bags of kits donated by the Hong Kong rugby community.

The team left  Hong kong yesterday, unfortunately, there were a problem that we do not know yet.
And the team had to spend 12 hours in Bangkok and now they are in Johannesburg.
We tried to contact them, but we couldn't and Dave tried  to contact Kenya airways  to know what is going on ,but no explanation. We hope the team is safe and will arrive as soon as the problem is solved.



Welcome back!!!  

The silverbacks,again for the Hong Kong tour at the KOWLOON RUGBY FEST 2012

The Rwanda rugby team ,SILVEBACKS,is already at the Kigali international airport,ready to fly to Hong Kong for the third time in a tournament called the Altus Kowloon rugby fest.

The team of 12 players without their coach Gerald Nsenga who did the selection and who is normally the head coach of the Rwanda national rugby team in 7's, 10's and 15's, so many think is not a good thing for the team to go without someone who should represent and well manage the team as well as the players discipline even though he was replaced by Nikwigize Olivier Pappy,who is also a player.
We all know or have a certain knowledge in rugby and we all have seen national teams training and preparations for big tournaments. I think many teams even if they do not have enough support I mean sponsors, they prepare the team very carefully , very well and need time to well select the team, especially the national side because it is representing a country not a club.

The players selected are : Bikamba Lucien (C), Cambara Coco Marcel,Nikwigize Olivier Pappy,Akami Makombe Benjamin,Nsengimana Felix,Ignace,Uwamahoro Olivier,Habumugisha Moise,Twizeyimana J Leonard,Gatabazi and Juvenal,Ndahirwa Aime.Other players like Didier Kamanzi  did not make it because of work and Djuma Adams because of his knee injury.

What many other players who were not selected, and other people who know about the Rwanda rugby, said that the team that is going this year , is the good side but may be not the best compare to the last two years, not because they are weak or unfit,but because they did not practice enough, so they are not really used to each other as how a team should be , some of the players need to practice more in their specific positions and then know what required, also the luck of their  normal coach or manager will affect their behavior, discipline even their performance.

We will then like to wish our rugby team all the best ,a good performance, discipline , to represent well our country and to be our heroes as they have always been.

As for the Rwanda Rugby Federation, they should take good care of the players by respecting them first of all, and provide for them what is needed, during practices like water, cones, training kits and good or actual rugby training including drills  and skills because is not difficult nowadays, you just have to download it and our rugby will grow smoothly and in a good standard like other teams. With a good structure and  organization, we will make it.

The kigali sharks 7's , a great comeback by the host.

Saturday 10th, at the Amahoro national stadium, the Gikondo based Kigali sharks Rugby club had his fourth edition rugby 7's.
It was again a good thing for the Rwandan rugby, and  also a good day for the national side that is looking forward for the annual Hong Kong trip at the Kowloon in project rugby fest and the team will depart on the 17th which is Saturday.

The tournament was good and entertaining for the rugby fans.
The teams that participate where : the Kigali Sharks, Remera Buffaloes, Nyamirambo Lion de fer, Muhanga RFC, Puma from Kamonyi and the national team ,the Silverbacks.

Many teams were surprised by the host perfomance, because the players were focused, ambitious and were proud to beat the defending champion , the Remera Buffaloes and the Muhanga 7;s winner, Lion de fer.

Players like, Emanuel { Nzungu}, Nemeye and Kamanda Tarcisse were outstanding from start to the end of the final and manage to beat Buffaloes by 15-0 and they were really happy to lift the trophy for the first time !.