After making a strong start in Tokyo and qualifying for the cup competition, the Kenya sevens seemed to fade away on Day 2. This in stark contrast of their showing in the previous two legs where they started off slow then picked up on Day 2. In Hong Kong the side will be looking to make a similar start as they did in Tokyo but this time keep it up there in Day 2.
They kick off their campaign in Pool A against Sri Lanka who should cause no real problems to the side. This should offer a great start in terms of momentum going into the tougher fixtures and with this looking like one of those pools that go to the wire, we will need to pile in the points here.
Up next will be Wales who welcome back the influential Lee Williams, the Welsh have always been a tough customer and we’ll need to be up to scratch to get a win here. We have met 3 times so far this season, winning two and losing one. With Fiji the other side in Pool A, this looks like another must win for us to ensure passage to the cup quarter finals.
We round up the Pool stages against a side that has been our biggest punishers this season, Fiji. In the four times we have met so far this season, the Fijians have managed to score a total of 166 points. That is an average of 41.5 points a match, while we have managed to put a paltry 24 points past them an average of 6 a match.
The islanders are unchanged from Tokyo, where they beat us 43-19 in the cup quarter final. Surprisingly, that was our best performance in the four, we were in that match for a better part of 10 minutes before all hell broke lose. We will definitely be looking to stay in it for longer and probably claim the first win this season.
The perfect scenario would be meeting the Fijians off the back of two wins, meaning we’ll have little pressure thus play our game easily. There should be no major changes in the line up, especially seeing as the bench showed they have what it takes to tilt matches when called upon.
Another spot in the cup here would be a welcome return, and a better display on day 2. On the individual front, the Chu Chu train is on the over taking lane, he needs two tries to break into the top three of the series’ all time try scorers list. Injera is currently in 4th on 178 tries with 3rd places Fabian Juries of SA on 179.. Juries, like the other two in front of him have all retired.
Fixtures :
Friday 28th March
Kenya vs Sri Lanka – 2:30 pm
Saturday 29th March
Kenya vs Wales – 8:46 am
Kenya vs Fiji – 2:16 pm
KWISHA…Nimeruka Nje!!
