The aim of Kevin Wambua, the Kenya Shujaa coach is to ensure continuity as this year’s Safari Sevens enters the business end on Sunday at the Nyayo National Stadium. 

Although the team had to wait for the second day to play their first match after a preventable incident on the opening night when the floodlights went off, Wambua’s charges finished top of their Pool A and now face a select side Nyati in the cup quarter final.

 Speaking to www.thhesportsnewsarena.com after their first match on Saturday, Wambua admitted he could not have asked for a better start, a 55-0 blanking of Walukuba Rugby, the Uganda 7’s club champions. “There is no reason to change the players because we have a four year circle and we are also banking on Morans who have fresh faces who can add value to the team any moment,” the coach added. 

In the next assignments, Shujaa edged out UK Select 28-19 and French Renegades 25-0 in a match that was stopped for more than eight minutes to enable the medical team deal with an injury to a player from the opposing side.

Slow Start

Louis Kisia, the assistant coach who is handling Morans, echoed Wambua’s remarks after a slow start that saw them beat Apache 28-10, ReUnion 24-0 and Zimbabwe 27-7. Kisia explained that in the first match, Morans were still working on getting the right combinations before facing ReUnion. 

They got their stride against Zimbabwe and won 27-7 to top Pool C and book a date with the UK Select in the cup quarters. Kisia explained that the preparations before Safari Sevens that started after the completion of the national circuit were not adequate. “It was a small window for the players to transition to the national set up,” he observed.

Safari Sevens, he admitted, was a good build up for the World Rugby Sevens 2, formerly Challenger Series where Kenya needs at least 13 players and depth in the bench. There are plans for Kenya to have an outing in December before the World Rugby Series 2 in February.

His captain, John Okoth also admitted Morans had a slow start but were confident going into the business end of the tournament with an eye on the trophy. “This is a tough competition with quality sides and a good build up for all teams that will participate in World Rugby Sevens 2,” he added. Morans are keen to play against the senior side Shujaa. “We want to beat them,” he stated.

Eyes on the Trophy

Kenya Lionesses also have their eyes on the trophy which is in the hands of Costa Blanca Barbarians from Spain. Simon Odongo’s charges had a major boost from Japan-based Janet Okello and won all their pool matches. They face Mwamba Select in the quarter final before their biggest test against Shogun in the semis.

Odongo is keen to advance to the final despite a shaky performance against Uganda’s Lady Cranes who featured a development side. “I believe we have the ability to win the tournament,” he stated.

Ricky Chirengede, the Zimbabwe coach who is also in the technical bench for the 15’s team Sables who qualified for the World Cup admitted this was not a high stake tournament for the Cheetahs and it was a chance to blood young players to increase the depth. Like any developing country, Zimbabwe has to share resources between the 7s and 15s set up. 

“It is not easy because you must closely collaborate with both teams,” he admitted. The sharing of players involves looking after their welfare and player load. The coach said Kenya had put up a spectacular show which was as good as any other World Rugby Sevens World Series tournaments. 

Recent Changes

The effects of recent changes by World Rugby is still being felt and Chirengede said teams such as Zimbabwe will have to find tournaments to ensure players are busy even if it means investing more resources which is not readily available. 

The same sentiments were shared by Allan Otim who stepped into the boots of Tolbert Onyango. He explained that some of the regular players were rested after a demanding season. Like Zimbabwe, he is keen on building depth. 

Otim who has been in the set up for sometime feels the mission of ensuring Uganda competes at the top level is still alive. He divulged that Onyango is still consulted whenever it is possible. “Hee is still key to the team during transition,” Otim said. Uganda missed out on the main cup quarter and will play for the Shield.

An unfortunate incident saw Belgium withdraw from the tournament on the opening day after their loss to Lady Cranes.

The draw

Men

Pool A: Kenya Shujaa, French Renegades, UK Select, Walukuba Rugby.

Pool B: Shogun, Uganda, Nyati, KCB.

Pool C: Kenya Morans, Zimbabwe, Apache, Reunion.

Women

Pool A: Costa Blanca Barbarians, Shogun, Kenya Cubs, Mwamba Select.

Pool B: Kenya Lionesses, Uganda, Belgium, Tunisia.

Day one results: Costa Blanca Barbarians 29 Mwamba Select 0, Shogun 32 Kenya Cubs 5, Uganda 12 Belgium 10, Kenya Lionesses 34 Tunisia 7, Kenya Morans  24 ReUnion 0, Zimbabwe 33 Apache 17, Shogun 17 KCB 14, Uganda 12 Nyati 24, French Renegades 21 UK Select 28, Kenya Shujaa 55 Walukuba Rugby 0.

Day two results

Costa Blanca Barbarians 33 Kenya Cubs 5, Shogun 41 Mwamba Select 5, Uganda 34 Tunisia 12, Kenya Lionesses v Belgium (n/p), Kenya Morans 28 Apache 10, Zimbabwe 26 ReUnion 19, Shogun 26 Nyati 12, Uganda 14 KCB Rugby 43, French Renegades 38 Walukuba Rugby 21, Kenya Shujaa 28 UK Select 19, Kenya Cubs 22 Mwamba Select 0, Belgium v Tunisia (n/p), Costa Blanca Barbarians 17 Shogun 5, Kenya Lionesses 17 Uganda 5, Apache 7 Reunion 14, Nyati 7 KCB Rugby 21, UK Select 41 Walukuba Rugby 26, Kenya Morans 27 Zimbabwe 7, Shogun 35 Uganda 14, Kenya Shujaa 25 French Renegades 0.

Day 3 order of play

Women: Costa Blanca Barbarians w/o Belgium (8 am), Uganda v Kenya Cubs (8.22),  Shogun v Tunisia (8.44), Kenya Lionesses v Mwamba Select (9.03).

Men:  Shogun v French Renegades (9.28), Kenya Morans v UK Select (9.50), KCB v Zimbabwe (10.12), Kenya Shujaa v Nyati (10.34), ReUnion v Walukuba Rugby (10.56), Apache v Uganda 11.18).