The Kenya Sevens team, Shujaa traveled to Hong Kong with their backs against the wall requiring a miracle to survive a drop to the unforgiving play-off in Los Angeles in the first week of May to remain as a core team of the World Rugby Sevens World Series.

Shujaa’s daunting assignments in the remaining two legs, Hong Kong and Singapore that requires a podium finish is made harder by incessant boardroom infighting that has seen a new team manager, Morgan Ngumi take over from Steve Sewe. This is a result of an alleged suspension of Sasha Mutai, the Kenya Rugby Union chairman.

Sewe is alleged to have botched up travel arrangements by Shujaa to the last tournament in Vancouver that resulted in a disastrous performance by the team that finished 11th after arriving barely one day to the competition. In mitigation, it appears Sewe used a World Rugby-recomended agent for the team’s travel arrangements.

Perhaps, the new venue, Kai Tak Sports Park away from the iconic Hong Kong Stadium in So Kon Po could sparkle some life in the Shujaa ranks in a Pool C that has familiar opponents France, Spain and Great Britain. Their first opponent is Spain who have defied all odds to rise to the near top of the overall table by claiming major scalps this season.

Also, Shujaa will be relying on the inspiration and speed of Patrick Odongo, one of the top try scorers of this season (12) as he goes toe to toe with another speed merchant Marcos ‘Moneyman’ Moneta of Argentina (14). Joji Nasoja from Fiji leads the chart after scoring 16 tries. As an incentive, Shujaa received Sh. 2,625,00 from Crown Paints. 

Kenya team for Hong Kong and Singapore Sevens

Kevin Wekesa, Vincent Onyala, George Ooro, Dennis Abukuse, William Mwanji, Brian Tanga, Samuel Asati, Tony Omondi, Nygel Amaitsa, Patrick Odongo, Floyd Wabwire, Jone Tavaga ‘Kubu’, Festus Shiasi.

Management: Kevin Wambua (head coach), Louis Kisia (assistant coach), Andrew Amonde (strength and conditioning), Lamech Bogonko (physiotherapist), Morgan Ngumbi (team manager).

Hong Kong Sevens draw and order of play

Pool A: Argentina, Fiji, USA, Ireland

Pool B: South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Uruguay

Pool C: Spain, France, Great Britain, Kenya.

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

Overall standing: Argentina 68, Spain 64, Fiji 62, South Africa 62, France 47, Australia 38, New Zealand 38, Great Britain 32, Kenya 15, Uruguay 15, USA 9, Ireland 7.

Women

Pool A: New Zealand, USA, Brazil, China.

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

Pool C: Australia, Canada, Japan, Spain.

Order of play: Japan v Canada, Australia v Spain, Great Britain v France, Fiji v Ireland, Japan v Spain, Australia v Canada, Great Britain v Ireland, Fiji v France, Brazil v USA, New Zealand v China, Brazil v China, New Zealand v USA, Canada v Spain, Australia v Japan, France v Ireland, Fiji v Great Britain, USA v China, New Zealand v Brazil, Overall standing: New Zealand 76, Australia 70, France 52, USA 46, Japan 44, Canada 40, Great Britain 35, Fiji 26, Brazil 26, Ireland 18, China 16.