Rugby: Kicking will be key for Lady Cranes

KAMPALA.

Last weekend, Irish side Leinster overcame France’s Racing 92 15-12 in the European Championship final.
Funny thing about this game was that both teams relied on their kickers’ boots for points. All 27 points came from penalities. Johnny Sexton (3) and Isa Nacewa (2) found the poles for Leinster, while Teddy Iribaren replied with four for Racing 92.
If anything, such a game should ring bells for the Uganda Lady Cranes side prepping for this month’s Rugby Afrique Women’s 7s tourney in Botswana. In modern times’ rugby, kicking is as important as any other form of scoring.
Last year, Uganda was so poor with the boot. Of the 10 tries scored, only three were converted. Statistically, losing 14 points from the charity territory should be cause for concern.
Uganda also lacked a main kicker because those three conversions came from three different players (Charlotte Mudoola, Samiya Ayikoru and Emilly Lekuru).
Uganda was also poor at the kick-off and receptions. Coach Helen Koyokoyo Buteme thinks she has done enough to right the wrongs of last year.
“We have worked a lot on the conversions, kick-and-chase, plus receptions when kicked to. When you look at the conversions, those two points are always crucial,” she said.