Nairobi — The national rugby team is upbeat ahead of their Rugby World Cup qualifier match against Tunisia on Saturday in Tunis.

Team manager Wangila Simiyu said told the Nation from the Tunisian capital that the players were in high spirits.

"We have had a good session to shake off the jet lag and are raring to go," Simiyu said.

This is the last match in Pool C which also has Cameroon. Kenya has not won a match in Tunis. They were beaten 52-5 on September 20, 1997 and 31-12 on September 23, 2006.

But, the team was feeling confident of their chances after arriving in Tunis on Thursday afternoon.

Defence leaked

Innocent Simiyu, the team captain said the mistakes which were evident in the match against Cameroon have been rectified. "Defence leaked and every player must fall back to defend," he commented.

Added the utility full-back: "Tunisians maybe big but rugby is not about size. Cameroon forwards were also bigger than our forwards but with the right technique size is relative. There is a chance that Tunisia will overpower us in the forwards but if we spread the game and raise the intensity in the first 20 minutes then we will a better chance of winning."

Players who have been called in to fill the slots of the absent players would be keen to impress and keep the jerseys.

Quality forward"Some of us made their debut against Cameroon in 2002 and without a doubt it has helped build our career. The surprise player in the team maybe Nakuru's Lawrence Buyachi who has all that it takes to be a quality forward," Simiyu explained.

On the local scene, Nondescripts, still celebrating their first Kenya Cup league win have an uphill task against Mean Machine at the Agricultural Society of Kenya ground today as the league enters a crucial stage .

The team in Tunis: Vincent Mose, Lawrence Buyachi, Cyprian Shimenga, Ferdnand Ngaira (Nakuru RFC), Biko Adema (Nondescripts RUFC), Wilson K'Opondo (Mean Machine), Innocent Simiyu - captain -, Paul Oimbo (Impala), Derrick Wamalwa, Paul Murunga, Peter Mutai, Anthony Ogot, Frankline Amiani, Derrick Wamalwa (Kenya Commercial Bank), Paul Oketch, George Mbaye, Horace Otieno, Humphrey Kayange, Collins Injera (Mwamba), Jude Thumbi, Duncan Odipo, Kennedy Gikaru, David Gitau (Kenya Harlequin FC). Officials: Michael 'Tank' Otieno (head coach), Edward Kinyany (assistant coach), Wangila Simiyu (team manager), Christopher Makachia (physiotherapist).