There could be up to three changes when Kenya Sevens team Shujaa fly out to Montivedeo, Uruguay for the second World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series. 

Kevin Wambua, the Shujaa head coach, exclusively disclosed to www.thesportsnewsarena.com that the technical bench was looking at calling up two or three players whose identities he chose not to disclose. In an interview from Dubai after successfully winning the opening tournament by winning all but one match, Wambua hinted the inclusion of these players will depend on the ‘training block’. 

“We are looking at two or three players,” he reiterated. The coach attributed the winning performance to the team’s ability to stick to their systems in attack and defense besides working hard for each other and playing as a team. 

Despite the success, the technical bench are not resting on their laurels and are keen to improve in some areas before the next tournament. Without divulging much, Wambua stated: “We need a bit more composure on the ball, better defense system and handling pressure better especially when we are trailing.” 

Team effort

Commenting on the overall performance over the three days, Wambua said this was largely a team effort but singled out Samuel Asati, Patrick Odongo and Nygel Amaitsa. “All the young players stepped up,” he observed. The players are in good shape with no injuries which is a big plus. 

Louis Kisia, the assistant coach, talked to www.thesportsnewsarena.com after the opening two days when Kenya beat Mexico and Uganda in the opening pool matches before losing to Germany. The loss to Germany, a team Kenya had beaten at the Safari Sevens last October, was a wake up call. “We didn’t stick to our plan and our execution was poor. We allowed the Germans to dominate our set-pieces and on many occasions contested our rucks,” Kisia admitted. 

However, he remained humble by admitting losing was part of the game. “It’s not our right to win but work hard collectively for a favorable outcome,” he explained. The message was well received and Shujaa stepped up their game on the closing day for a podium finish.

Sasha Mutai, the Kenya Rugby Union chairman was equally happy with the performance of the two teams. He attributed the success to good preparation, teamwork and the burning desire by the players to excel. 

Odongo leads from front

Patrick Odongo, one of the co-captains of the Kenya Sevens team Shujaa led from the front scoring all the tries that saw Kenya clinch the opening tournament of the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series in Dubai by beating Chile 12-5 in the final. 

The former Daystar Falcons player who has emerged as one of the key players for this new-look Shujaa raced over in the first minute and Anthony Omondi converted from a difficult angle for a 7-0 lead. 

Benjamin Videla pulled one back for Chile in the sixth minute. Diego Warnken missed the conversion.  The second half was closely contested before Odongo completed his brace in the 15th minute.

In the semi-final, Odongo scored a hattrick as Kenya knocked out Uruguay 21-5. He started the rout in the second minute and Omondi converted to settle Shujaa’s nerves. He added the second in the fourth minute and Omondi was sure for a 14-0 lead. 

Paraguay were reduced to six players when Mateo Vinals was yellow-carded in the eighth minute. Odongo used the numerical advantage to score his third try in the ninth minute and Omondi slotted the conversion. 

Bautista Basso pulled one back for Uruguay in the 12th minute. Koba Brazionis missed the conversion. In the other semi-final, Chile edged our Germany 15-7. Uruguay finished third after beating Germany 12-7.

Full results

Pool A: Hong Kong China, Uruguay, Georgia, Papua New Guinea

Hong Kong China 21 PNG 7, Uruguay 10 Georgia 12, Hong Kong China 19 Georgia 7, Paraguay 41 PNG 14, PNG 10 Georgia 19, Uruguay 33 Hong Kong China 0.

Pool B: Tonga, Chile, Japan, Portugal

Tonga 26 Chile 19, Japan 22 Portugal 17, Tonga 26 Portugal 21, Japan 14 Chile 24, Chile 24 Portugal 0, Japan 19 Tonga 5.

Pool C: Kenya, Germany, Uganda, Mexico.

Germany 19 Uganda 5, Kenya 41 Mexico 0. Germany 43 Mexico 0, Kenya 29 Uganda 7, Uganda 40 Mexico 14, Kenya 12 Germany 24.

Quarter final: Japan 19 Kenya 21, Uruguay 21 Tonga 14, Germany 19 Hong Kong China 7, Chile 26 Georgia 7; Semi-final: Kenya 21 Uruguay 5, Germany 7 Chile 15; Final: Kenya 12 Chile 5.

3rd place play-off: Uruguay 12 Germany 7.

5th place play-off: Japan 28 Belgium Tonga 5

7th place play-off: Hong Kong China 38 Georgia 0.

9th place semi final men: Portugal 22 PNG 19, Uganda 50 Mexico 0; Final: Portugal 12 Uganda 27.11th place play-off: PNG 47 Mexico 10