Kenya will be looking for consistency as they return as a core team in the World Rugby Sevens World Series after one year in the cold  when the 2024/2025 season kicks off in Dubai on November 30, 2024.

Kevin Wambua, the Kenya team coach said the aim was to remain in the circuit as a core team. This means Shujaa must consistently finish among the top eight to avoid competing in the qualifier in LA. After the opening two legs, it is inevitable that the technical bench would give serious consideration to rotating the squad to maintain a competitive edge. 

In Dubai, Kenya could not have asked for a daunting start that shall indicate whether they are in a position to live up to the aspirations of the technical bench. The team has been drawn in a tough Pool A where they begin their desert campaign against France, the 2024 Olympic and 2023/2024 Series champions.

The second match is against South Africa, winners of a bronze medal at the Olympics and last year’s Dubai Sevens champions. It doesn’t get easier with Shujaa facing Australia, their bogey team in the third match.

Absence

What slightly complicates the scenario is the absence of two key players Vincent Onyala and Anthony Omondi who were key in Shujaa’s campaign back to the top tier competition. Wambua explained their absence was tied to ‘contractual obligations’ that were still being addressed. “They have not been chased away. I have been in constant communication with them and by the time we come back, they could be part of the squad after meeting set requirements,” the coach assured.

Independent investigations by SNA established the two players were not happy with the package that was put before them especially after SportPesa and Safaricom stepped in as sponsors. Already, the team had missed nearly two weeks of training after the players snubbed training because of pending contracts.

Contracts

Thomas Odundo, the Kenya Rugby Union Chief Executive Officer added: “They were not happy with contracts offered. We cannot blow our budget and can only offer what is within our limits. Negotiations are ongoing,” he assured.

In their absence, Wambua was optimistic of building a leadership capacity within the team and for the moment George Ooro and Samuel Asati have been named as joint captains for the opening two legs. However, it will be a long season and the technical bench is likely to rotate players due to injuries or prevent a burn out.

While Onyala is back at home, Omondi has opted to play in the Dubai Invitational tournament for  Shogun (formerly Samurai). At each tournament, Shujaa must reach the cup quarters to remain in contention for retaining the core status, a feat that has been elusive for quite some time now. 

Canada

Elsewhere, Canada who dropped to the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series are keen to return to the core status. They beat Trinidad and Tobago 38-0 to win the Rugby Americas North competition to qualify for the Challenger Series. Elias Hancock, the Canada captain, in an interview with The Globe and Mail said they were keen to get back to the core status where they belong. 

Rivals, U.S.A begin their campaign in Dubai under new coach Simon Amor, formerly of Japan who has named five debutants in a team which retained four Paris 2024 Olympians. They are Lucas Lacamp, Aaron Cummings, Marcus Tupuola and Pita Vi. 

The debutants are Peter Sio Jr, Darius Law, Michael Hand II, Porter Goodrum and Darrell Williams. Returning to the team are Jack Wendling, David Still III, Faitala Talapusi and Adam Channel. 

Perry Baker

Two former players, Ben Pinkelman and Perry Baker have been named as assistant coaches to Amor. USA have been drawn against New Zealand, Fiji and Spain. 

The women’s team has six new players in Dubai. They are Autumn LoCicero, Su Adegoke, Saria Ibarra, Hann Humphreys, Alyssa Porter and Nia Toliver. They play against Great Britain, Spain and France.

Teams in Dubai

Women: New Zealand, Australia, France, USA, Canada, Fiji, , Ireland, Great Britain, Japan, Brazil, Spain and China.

Men: Argentina, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, France, Fiji, South Africa, Great Britain, USA, Spain, Uruguay and Kenya.

Dubai Sevens draw

Women

Pool A: Australia, Ireland, Fiji, China.

Pool B: France, USA, Great Britain, Spain.

Pool C: New Zealand, Canada, Japan, Brazil

Order of play

Canada v Brazil, New Zealand v Japan, USA v Spain, France v Great Britain, Ireland v China, Australia v Fiji, Japan v Brazil, New Zealand v Canada, Great Britain v Spain, France v USA, Fiji v China, Australia v Ireland, 

Men

Pool A: France, South Africa, Australia, Kenya.

Pool B: Argentina, Ireland, Great Britain, Uruguay.

Pool C: Fiji, New Zealand, USA, Spain.

Order of play

New Zealand v USA, Fiji v Spain, Ireland v Great Britain, Argentina v Uruguay, South Africa v Australia, France v Kenya, New Zealand v Spain, Fiji v USA, Ireland v Uruguay, Argentina v Great Britain, South Africa v Kenya, France v Australia, USA v Spain, Fiji v New Zealand, Great Britain v Uruguay, Argentina v Ireland, Australia v Kenya, France v South Africa.

2024/2025 World Rugby Sevens World Series venues and dates

Dubai: November 30- December 1, 2024.

Cape Town: December 7-8, 2024.

Perth: January 24-26, 2025.

Vancouver: February 21-23, 2025.

Hong Kong: March 28-30, 2025.

Singapore: April 5-6, 2025.Los Angeles: May 3-4, 2025.