Game 15 fixtures | Saturday 29th April, 2023
Impis Vs Rhinos -2pm, Makerere
Pirates Vs Mongers -4pm, Kings Park
Walukuba Vs Rams – 4pm, Walukuba
Heathens Vs Hippos – 4pm, Kyadondo
Kobs Vs Buffaloes -4pm, Legends
Legends-based Rhinos will be visiting Impis at the Graveyard in Makerere seeking to overturn their previous defeat and continue their fight in securing their place in the top-tier league next season.
The Rhinos captain, Davis Shimwa, has revealed that they have been doing their homework, and they know
Impis have been winning their games from the boot.
“We have known Impis from the beginning of the season for having won a couple of games off the boot” he said.
As a result, they plan to play with much discipline to avoid conceding penalties that may give Impis the advantage.
“One thing we will have to take into key caution is our discipline and make sure we are not conceding a lot of penalties because they (Impis) will use it against us” he added.
Discipline will be key for the Rhinos in this encounter especially with the return of Impis fly-half and playmaker, Henry Nsekuye.
Nsekuye has been away for about five game weeks, nursing an injury. In his absence, Impis have been struggling to put points on board especially from the tee, and his return will inarguably be a boost for the Makerere side.
By the time of his departure, Nsekuye was the leading top points scorer in the league, and he will be hoping to start from where he left off.
Rhinos have managed to secure three wins so far this season, with one astounding one against fifth placed Buffaloes who looked to be in their prime at the moment.
These victories have given them a comfortable points margin away from the relegation zone. With three games remaining, they look set to survive relegation. However, a win against the Impis will go a long way in securing their place in the Nile Special Rugby League next season.
Rhinos plan to use their forwards to their advantage. They are heavier than the Impis forwards, and the Rhinos captain believes that they can capitalise on this to attain a win.
“We plan on using our big boys to dominate the game because we know our big boys are heavier than them in the scrums and line-outs, and so we are going to capitalise mainly on a scrum game” said Shimwa.
With their forwards leading from the front, the Rhinos will be looking to dominate Impis in the scrums and lineouts. They will be hoping to use their physicality to wear down Impis and eventually break their defence.
Impis have been struggling of late, managing to win only one game in the second leg of the season. The Rhinos will be looking to take advantage of this and secure a win away from home. Revenge will also be on their minds, having lost the first leg at home.
Impis, on the other hand, will be looking to get back to winning ways and prove that their recent struggles have been nothing but a blip.
