The composition of players who will be in the same Pool C with Kenya’s Shujaa during the Perth Sevens is taking shape. 

Shujaa who have already landed in Perth are keen to do better than they did in Cape Town after coach Kevin Wambua included two experienced hands in the squad. As expected, Vincent Onyala, a former captain was recalled after missing the opening two legs as a result of contractual negotiations that also saw Anthony Omondi miss Dubai. Omondi flew to Cape Town for the second event. 

Wambua also included Kabras Sugar scrum-half Brian Tanga to the squad that has minimal changes. While naming the team, the coach and his technical bench renewed their call for consistency to ensure a top eight finish and avoid the play-off in Los Angeles in May, 2025. They made no secret of watching some of the teams who are gunning for the top eight such as Great Britain and Australia.

Drawn in a tough pool, Wambua and his charges face a brutal and physical opening match against New Zealand and an even harder assignment against a revived Fiji team who won the opening leg in Dubai and finished third in Cape Town. “There is no easy team in the Series,” Wambua reiterated before leaving for Perth.

Fiji Coral Sevens

Two of Kenya’s opponents, Fiji and New Zealand used the 14th Fiji Coral Sevens at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka, Fiji’s rugby town as a build up for the third leg of the World Rugby Sevens World Series tournament that kicks off on January 24, 2025.

After the tournament, Osea Kolonisau, the Fiji coach, picked a formidable side to continue their campaign for the title. In an interview with Fiji Times, the former captain said their focus was to be consistent. “The team knows what’s at stake, and we’re ready to give it our all for Fiji,” he added. 

In Perth, Kolonisau will miss the services of Jerry Matana who is injured but welcomes back Sakiusa Siqila who last played for Fiji in Madrid, Spain and Joseva Talacolo who is back after recovering from an injury. Filipe Sauturaga has been named as captain.

New Zealand, who have also been drawn in the same pool with Kenya also sent a development side to the tournament in Fiji that included familiar names such as Andrew Knewstubb, Dylan Collier, Ngarohi McGarvey-Black, Oli Mathis and Tone Ng Shiu. These are some of the players coach Tomasi Cama needed to have a second look at before naming his side for Perth Sevens. 

Familiar names

South Africa, the only other African team also named a familiar side for Perth. They include former captain Siviwe Soyizwapi, Zain Davids, Shilton Van Wyk, Selvyn David, and Donavan Don who were in the side that lifted the Cape Town Sevens. 

There are a few changes for the host, Australia. Liam Barry, the men’s coach has included 19-year old Hadley Tonga while Maurice Longbottom and Josh Turner return to the line up. Nathan Lawson has switched codes to Rugby League. 

The USA have been busy rebuilding the team after the exit of Mike Friday and several players from the side. Under new coach Simon Amor, the Eagles intensified their preparations by inviting special consultants Dan House and Conor McNeill from Team GB, Tom Mitchell and Scott Curry.

Amor told USA Rugby website that the aim in Perth was to be more competitive and consistent. “We are on a long journey but remain confident,” he stated after handing the leadership roles to Jack Wendling and Will Chevalier as co-captains. Jake Broselle is expected to make his debut while veteran Stephen Tomasin returns.

Tough Pool A

The USA have been drawn in a tough Pool A where they tackle South Africa in the first match before playing against Argentina and hosts Australia.

In the USA women’s team, Kristi Kirshe returns to the fray after an extended time off following a historic podium finish at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France last year.  Autumn Zaplicki makes her first appearance in the USA team which is ranked fourth in the log after clinching silver in Cape Town.

Northern America rivals Canada have Olivia Apps and Florence Symonds returning for the first time since winning silver in the 2024 Olympic Games. Three players could make their debut in Perth. They are Olivia Surabura, Larah Wright and Gabrielle Senft.

Hosts Australia are keen to bounce back after missing out on a podium finish in Cape Town. Tim Walsh, the coach has made one change which sees Demi Hayes returning. She replaces Sariah Paki who has a calf injury.

Teams

Kenya: Kevin Wekesa, George Ooro, William Mwanji, Vincent Onyala, Dennis Abukuse, Samuel Asati, Nygel Amaitsa, Anthony Omondi, Patrick Odongo, Festus Shiasi, Benson Salem, Floyd Wabwire, Brian Tanga.

South Africa: Ryan Oosthuizen, Impi Visser, Zain Davids, Ricardo Duarttee, Ronald Brown, Selvyn Davids, Dewald Human, Siviwe Soyizwapi, Shilton Van Wyk, Quewin Nortje, Donavan Don, David Brits, Zander Reynders.

Fiji: Kavekini Tanivanuakula, Suliano Volivoli, Joseva Talacolo, Tira Wilagi, Rubeni Kabu, Philipo Bukayaro, Terio Veilawa, Filipe Sauturaga, Iowane Teba, George Bose, Joji Nasova, Vuiviwa Naduvalo, Sakiusa Siqila.

Australia: Henry Hutchison (captain), Ben Dowling, Matt Gonzalez, Ben Dalton, Maurice Longbottom, Jayden Blake, James Turner, Sid Harvey, Aden Ekanayake, Hayden Sargeant, Josh Turner, Hadley Tonga, Michael Icely.

USA: Aaron Cummings, Ben Broselle, Adam Channel, Will Chevalier, David Still III, Peter Sio, Lance Williams, Faitala Talapusi, Stephen Tomasin, Lucas Lacamp, Marcus Tupuola, Jack Wendling, Jake Broselle.

USA Women’s team: Ariana Ramsey, Kayla Canett, Alena Olsen, Kristi Kirshe, Rachel Strasdas, Jessica Lu, Autumn LoCicero, Su Adegoke, Sariah Ibarra, Hann Humphreys, Alyssa Porter, Nia Toliver, Autumn Czaplicki.

Canada: Breanne Nicholas, Florence Symonds, Carmen Izsk, OLivia Apps, Piper Logan, Camille Arvin-Berod, Carissa Norsten, Asia Hogan-Rochester, Shoshanah Seumanutafa, Savannah Bauder, Olivia Sarabura, Mahalia Robinson, Larah Wright, Gabrielle Senft.

Australia: Piper Simons, Faith Nathan, Mackenzie Davis, Teagan Levi, Charlotte Caslick, Tia Hinds, Isabella Nasser, Demi Hayes, Maddison Levi, Heidi Dennis, Kahli Henwood, Ruby Nicholas, Kiiahla Duff.

The draw for Perth Sevens, January 24-26

Men

Pool A: South Africa, Argentina, Australia, USA.

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

Pool C: Fiji, New Zealand, Kenya, Uruguay.

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

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.