Kenya’s Shujaa hope for a statement performance in Singapore this weekend as the World Rugby Sevens World Series ends after five legs in Dubai, Cape Town, Perth, Vancouver and Hong Kong. Shujaa have fond memories of Singapore. 

This is where Shujaa defied all odds to beat Fiji 30-7 in an epic final. The turning point was when Collins Injera defiantly pointed to the sticks when tied 12-12 with Argentina in the semi-final. He backed his defiance with a three pointer! 

Memories of Singapore is likely to lift Shujaa when they face Ireland in the opening match. The new format rewards winners in each category with the top four teams after the conclusion of the pool stage directly qualifying for the semi-finals. There are no quarter finals. 

Although eight men’s teams have already qualified for the new World Championship, a battle reserved for the champion of champions, Singapore will still witness fierce rivalry for the league title with an eye to topple the current leaders Argentina.

Some of the teams eyeing a podium finish are Fiji, Spain, South Africa, France, New Zealand, Australia, and Great Britain who have all booked a ticket to the World championship in LA.

But, Shujaa will be back to a familiar setting that replicates their fight back to the core status. Together with Ireland, USA and Uruguay, they will await the four top teams in the Challenger Series that is headed for Poland where Germany, Canada, Portugal, Chile, Samoa, Japan, Madagascar and Tonga are in contention.

It will be interesting to see the tactics deployed by Shujaa’s technical bench in Singapore whether they will go all out for a win to boost their chances of a favorable draw in LA or whether they will ease their foot off the gas pedal and concentrate on the crucial tournament in LA. 

Singapore Sevens draw and order of play

Men

Pool A: Argentina, Great Britain, South Africa.

Pool B: France, Ireland, Kenya.

Pool C: Australia, Spain, Uruguay.

Pool D: Fiji, New Zealand, USA. 

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

Women

Pool A: New Zealand, Brazil, China.

Pool B: Australia, Japan, Spain.

Pool C: Canada, USA, Great Brittain.

Pool D: France, Fiji, Ireland.

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