WINDHOEK, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- The planned friendly rugby match requested from World Rugby, between Namibia and Kenya has been called off, according to Rugby Namibia.
Namibia's Team Media Manager, Daniella Filipovic Tuesday said, that the planned game would have been covered by World Rugby and the Kenyan Rugby Union, with the aim to prepare the Namibian team's upcoming Europe tour in November.
Flipovic said that despite the Namibia Rugby Limited (NRL) submitting the selected team and traveling party to the Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) for approval, the submission thereof to World Rugby did not meet the approval date.
"With changes made by the NRU, any submission now will be too late as the match was planned for the Saturday Oct. 21, taking into consideration preparation, travel time, air fare as well as medical requirements for traveling to Kenya, like Yellow Fever Vaccines," she added.
According to Flipovic a 23-man squad had been selected and submitted for approval. The team was to be accompanied by assistant coach JP Nel, team manager Irvin Newman and physiotherapist Innis Erasmus.
Meanwhile she said the already confirmed national team is set to kick off their 3 week tour in Europe against Russia on Nov. 10, Spain on Nov. 17 and Portugal on Nov. 24.
Flipovic said the end of year rugby tour is scheduled by World Rugby for all participating countries that have qualified for the Rugby World Cup 2019. Enditem
