Collins Omae was Kenya's try-scoring hero against USA - Photo: Christopher Omollo

The dream of a place in IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy 2009 final remains intact for five teams going into the last round of pool matches in the Kenyan capital Nairobi on Wednesday.

Among this quintet hoping to move a step closer to promotion to the IRB Junior World Championship 2010 are hosts Kenya after they produced the shock of the tournament with their stunning comeback to beat USA 33-22 last time out.

VIEW THE POOL STANDINGS >>

Kenya coach Mitch Otieno has made three changes - one of them positional - to his side to face the Cayman Islands in the day's opening match at the RFUEA Grounds, which kicks off at 12:00 local time (09:00 GMT).

The injured Michael Wanjala is replaced on the wing by Owen Ocholla, while Anthony Nyandigisi comes in at inside centre at the expense of Joseph Abaia with Patrice Agunda moving out one position to outside centre.

Kenya go into the match against a Cayman Islands side beaten 104-7 by Namibia on Saturday knowing that a win with a bonus point for scoring four or more tries is the target to bolster their chances of reaching the final.

VIEW THE KENYA V CAYMAN ISLANDS TEAMS >>

"Patience is our key and belief, that's what will bring in the good result. Our target is a bonus point. We have worked on our weaknesses and we are definitely here on merit," revealed Otieno.

"We don't want to be fooled by the scores against Cayman Islands, but rather play the game as it comes tomorrow."

Collins Omae was a key figure in Kenya's comeback, the wing scoring three second half tries against the USA, including the last two tries in a run of 19 unanswered points by the Chipu.

"It's all about teamwork and I believe that our mission to reach the Junior World Championship can be accomplished," said Omae. "Namibia scored 104 points against Cayman Islands and we want to beat that number."

Even if Kenya realise this ambitious target, then they will still face a nervous wait for the outcome of the other Pool A match between Namibia and USA, which kicks off at 14:00 on the same pitch.

VIEW THE NAMIBIA V USA TEAMS >>

Namibia currently sit in top spot with nine points, two more than the USA with Kenya third on six. A win for Namibia will therefore guarantee them a spot in the final against the Pool B winner - be that Chile or Romania - regardless of Kenya's result.

The USA themselves will advance with a bonus point victory over Namibia and in the days since their loss to Kenya, coach Salty Thompson has elected to put his player's through early morning sessions as they prepare to face the African champions.

"We decided to have our runs in the morning and give the boys an afternoon's rest," explained Thompson. "We are capable of winning tomorrow and need to play a complete game. We have also improved on our communication on the field and ensure we are focused on our defence."

Captain Cameron Dolan, who will look on from the bench as the Junior Eagles' lively number 8 is nursing a shoulder injury, added: "The boys know that it's a big one and we have worked on our defence. We have to put some pressure on the Namibians in order for us to win."

Thompson has made seven changes to his starting line up, two of them positional with Ryan McTiernan moving back to replace Dolan at number 8 and Niall O'Keeffe to outside centre as Matt Hughston comes in at No.12.

His Namibian counterpart Johan Diergaardt, who has made nine changes to the side who ran in 17 tries against Cayman Islands, elected not to have a captain's run and only sent his kickers to the RFUEA Grounds.

VIEW THE PNG V KOREA TEAMS >>

While there are a number of possible outcomes for Pool A, the matter is more straightforward in Pool B with the two match-ups to determine the sides finishing top and bottom.

Korea and Papua New Guinea are both seeking a first victory in Kenya ahead of their match at Impala and therefore whoever emerges with the win will avoid finishing last in the pool.

Both have made a number of changes, Korea with seven to the side beaten 65-14 by Romania, while Papua New Guinea have made five after losing 50-22 to Chile. This should be an evenly contested encounter with both sides having found life hard-going so far against physically stronger opponents.

The last match of the pool stages will be Pool B's de-facto semi final with whoever emerges victorious from the Chile v Romania match at the RFUEA Grounds advancing to the title decider.

VIEW THE CHILE V ROMANIA TEAMS >>

The two sides met in identical circumstances in the inaugural tournament last year with Chile, on home soil in Santiago, running out 14-3 winners.

"That was a very hard game," recalled Chile coach Rodrigo Boyé. "I think that the scrum and lineout will determine the outcome of Wednesday's game. Our scrum is better but their lineout is superior to ours. Patience and discipline will be the key.

"Last year we contained them for 20 minutes and that won us the game. It is a very open game; I hope we can win it."

A sentiment echoed by his captain José Ignacio Larenas: "We want to win, but we are sure it will be a tough game and it will come down to how well we can cope."

WATCH THE CLIMAX OF THE POOL STAGES UNFOLD LIVE ON THE OFFICIAL TOURNAMENT WEBSITE >>