After showing a relatively terrible performance in the recent Sydney Sevens, Shujaa have a chance to move a few spots up the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) standings in the coming Las Vegas Sevens. Slated for 1st to 3rd March, the event will see Kenya face off with USA, France and Argentina in group B matches.
Shujaa, who played both Hamilton Sevens and Sydney Sevens without key players, are more likely to lack the services of the players. Outgoing Kenya Rugby Union Chairman, Richard Omwela, refused to review the players’ contracts replacing them with newbies who despite of being exceptionally talented lack the experience of playing in the world arena. Currently 13th in the 17-team HSBC standings, the players will definitely help the team improve its position if given the chance to play.
Collins Injera, Andrew Amonde, Willy Ambaka, Dennis Ombachi, Sammy Oliech, Nelson Oyoo, Billy Odhiambo and Dan Sikuta have all not played this season in the series and are unlikely to do so unless their contracts are reviewed.
While Rugby fans are eagerly waiting for the new regime to boost hopes of seeing the top players return to the team, the current squad has to fight for Kenya’s legacy in the cup and avoid the risk of being denied a chance to participate in the next season of the series.
Shujaa have been pooled with top teams which will bring the Kenyan team problems as they seek to at least get some silverware in the three day event. Kenya Sevens met with both France and Argentina in the Sydney sevens narrowly losing against Argentina but also escaping with a narrow victory against France. In the Hamilton sevens, Shujaa won against France in the Hamilton sevens as well. USA thrashed Kenyan with a whooping 41-0 scoreline in the Sydney Sevens.
Comparing the performances in both Hamilton and Sydney sevens, Shujaa’s form appears to be deteriorating having recorded a worse performance in the latter rather than the former. France who lost to Kenya 17-14 in the Hamilton Sevens thrashed Shujaa 40-17 in the Sydney sevens.
Shujaa recorded a very poor performance in the Sydney cup losing to lower ranked teams like Tonga and Wales.
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Lack of experienced players is costing the team a lot and if Kenya’s rugby reputation is anything to go by, Shujaa need to fight for their name. Shujaa’s Vegas seven’s pool is relatively difficult without the key players but a return of the players will see the team improve position in the standings.
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