A realization of what is at stake in the next three World Rugby Sevens World Series tournaments in Vancouver, Canada, Hong Kong and Singapore has been factored in naming the Kenya Shujaa squad for the Vancouver Sevens from February 21-23 in Canada.

Two players, Jone Kubu and Jackson Siketi are expected to make their debut in Vancouver. These are the only two changes to the team that finished ninth at the last tournament in Perth, Australia in January. They replace Ben Salem and Festus Shiasi in what coach Kevin Wambua described as one of the hardest selections since Kenya returned back as a core team after missing one season.

Although the focus is on Kubu, the makeup of the team represents the physical nature of what the technical bench expects in Vancouver where Shujaa have been poled together with Argentina – winners in Perth -, Great Britain and France. Kubu is expected to bring in the X factor as explained by Wambua during the team’s naming.

Intelligent Player

“Jone Kubu is an intelligent player,” the coach stated. His inclusion is expected to add flair into the attack of the team where purposive tacktical kicking may provide that extra edge whenever the scores are tight. 

The combative Kabras player who is no stranger to attracting the attention of the referee has been on the Kenya Sevens radar for some time now and it was just a matter of time before he earned his call up. He briefly trained with the eam last December and in January had family commitments back in Fiji. 

Shujaa re no strangers to losing narrowly, a thought vthat keeps lingering on the technical bench. In Perth, Kenya narrowly missed progressing to the quarter final because of a marginal points difference.

As a result, Wambua and his charges who envisage a touch challenge in Vancouver and the next two tournaments are keen to enhance their chances by achieving positive results. “Vancouver will be big for us,” the coach predicted. 

Focus in Vancouver

Unlike in Perth where Kenya had eyes on Australia and Great Britain, the focus in Vancouver is on every match. Great Britain occupy the eight spot in the overall standings and Kenya are ninth. Therefore, the immediate focus is beating the team ahead of them. “We are relishing the tie,” Wambua added.

Shujaa have ran Argentina and France close and the coach would like to win every match or lose with a bonus point. “We have tto reach the quarter finals,” he asserted. The dream is realistic considering the phenomenal performance by Uruguay who achieved the feat in Perth by beating Fiji and New Zealand. 

It is also informed by the meteoric resurgence of Spain who are currently placed third on the log. He competition is fierge even though some of the teams such as New Zealand, USA and Ireland are rebuilding. “Our focus in Vancouver at the momen is tto finish among the top eight,” Wambua reiterated. 

Shujaa team for Vancouver Sevens

Kevin Wekesa, George Ooro, William Mwanji, Vincent Onyala, Denis Abukuse, Samuel Asati, Nygel Amaitsa, Antony Omondi, Patrick Odongo, Floyd Wabwire, Brian Tanga, Jone Kubu, Jackson Siketi.

Vancouver Sevens Draw

Pool A: Argentina, France Great Britain, Kenya.

Pool B: Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa.

Pool C: Fiji, Spain, Uruguay, USA.

Order of play

Friday, February 21: Uruguay v Fiji, USA v Spain, New Zealand v South Africa, Ireland v Australia, Grea Britain v France, Argentina v Kenya, USA v Fiji, Uruguay v Spain, Ireland v South Africa, New Zealand v Australia, Kenya v France, Great Britain v Argentina.

Saturday, February 22: USA v Uruguay, Fiji v Spain, Ireland v New Zealand, South Africa v Australia, Kenya v Grea Britain, France v Argentina

Overall: 1. Fiji 48, 2. Argentina 48, 3. Spain 48, 4. South Africa 44, 5. France 40, 6. Australia 30, 7. New Zealand 28, 8. Great Britain 20, 9. Kenya 14, 10. Uruguay 12, 11. USA 5, 12. Ireland 5. 

Women

Pool A: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Spain,

Pool B: China, Ireland. New Zealand, USA.

Pool C: Fiji, France, Great Britain, Japan.

Order of play

Friday, February 21: Japan v Fiji, France v Great Britain, USA v China, New Zealand v Ireland, Canada v Brazil, Australia v Spain, Japan v Great Britain, France v Fiji, USA v Ireland, New Zealand v China, Canada v Spain, Australia v Brazil. 

Saturday, February 22: Fiji v Great Britain, France v Japan, China v Ireland, New Zealand v USA, Brazil v Spain, Australia v Canada.

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.