Kevin Wambua, the Kenya 7’s coach had no doubt about returning to the world Rugby Sevens Series core status. 

Speaking exclusively to www.thesportsnewsarena.com at Civitas Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid, Spain, Wambua explained the technical bench had a contingent plan in the event the team trailed at one point in the match. “We had an objective which was going through pain, sweat and once we reached Madrid, we knew that we would go back to the top tier,” the coach explained.

The win means a lot to Wambua and his team whose next agenda will be a good performance at the Olympics in Paris, France in July. Although a possibility of qualifying for next season’s Challenger Series appeared imminent, Shujaa focused on qualification.

By failing to beat Germany, Kenya would have been in a fix. They were expected to field a team in the Africa Sevens championship in Mauritius whose winners qualified for the Challenger Series. This was a luxury Kenya could not afford because it might have meant splitting the players between the Olympics and the Africa showpiece.

In the end it worked in Kenya’s favor. They have a choice of either sending a development side for the Africa qualifiers. 

Asked what was different this time when the team played Germany, Wambua explained the approach was different. “We trusted one another and the process,” he stated. 

Hard pill to swallow

The coach recalled Kenya’s relegation saying it was a hard pill to swallow. “Once the team was relegated, a lot of players went their own way and we had to build a new team. We struggled with finances but knew that eventually, the results will vindicate us,” Wambua explained.

Kenya’s win would not have been complete without their traveling fans who have danced and cheered from the terraces for the past three days. “This win is for them,” Wambua assured. He acknowledged the extra motivation from the fans.

The teams that have qualified for next year’s World Rugby Sevens Series are: USA, Kenya, Uruguay and Spain. Samoa and Canada who were core teams this season will battle it out in the Challenger Series to regain their core status.

In the women’s category, China, Japan, Brazil and Spain are in the big dance while South Africa dropped to the Challenger Series.