In many ways this could be termed as a new beginning for the Kenya sevens. New coach, returning players and for the first time in quite a while, we seem to have a room clear of ‘elephants.’ So is this the start of the season for us?
After three rounds, the Kenya sevens have been beaten, used and bruised from the Gold Coast, to Dubai, Port Elizabeth and back. This has to be the start of a new page for the side, which currently sits in 14th spot on 11 points, only better than Japan among the core sides.
This weekend the Kenya sevens will be taking on the fourth leg of the HSBC Sevens World Series in Wellington, New Zealand. For his first squad as head coach, Felix ‘Totty’ Ochieng has recalled six players who have so far been unavailable for one reason or another, this season.
Top of that list is a man who needs no introduction, currently the all time top try scorer in the series as far as current players go, Collins Injera. He is joined in the squad by the old wizard, Lavin Asego, alongside Billy Odhiambo, Felix Ayange, Tony Owuor and Mike Wanjala.
They join captain Andrew Amonde, Dan Sikuta, Patrice Agunda, Oscar Ayodi, Bush Mwale and Leonard Mugaisi who was a late inclusion in the side after injury to Tony Onyango. A solid looking 12, a true blend of experience and young flair that should challenge anyone over the two days.
The side is pooled alongside Argentina, Scotland and Samoa in a very tough looking Pool D, in my book the Pool of death this year. We kick off our charge against a strong Argentina side which is currently in 5th spot, having finished fourth in South Africa and were Plate finalists in Australia, then winners in Dubai.
Tough start for the side, they need to be firing on all cylinders for this one against an Argentine side that has looked well oiled this far. It will be our first meeting against the South Americans this season, who remain largely unchanged from P.E, with only three changes to the side.
Next up will be Scotland, who are in eighth spot after three rounds on 27 points. This will also be our first meeting against the Scots, who made a slow start to the season bowing out at the Bowl Semi finals at the Gold coast before playing in the Plate final in Dubai and making the semi final in the same category in Mzansi.
We then wrap up Day 1 action against the up and down Samoa, who currently sit in seventh spot on 29 points. The islanders made a blistering start to this campaign, narrowly losing that cup thriller in Australia before fading away. Picking up the Bowl in Dubai, then losing in the Shield Final at P.E.
This will be our second meeting this season, after Samoa blanked us 40-5 in the Pool stages at the Dubai Sevens. A lot has changed since then in both camps, Samoa will be looking to get back to form, only four of the 12 that were present in Dubai will make the trip to Wellington. Top of that list Tim Nanai-Williams and Lolo Lui.
There will be nowhere to hide for us, but as mentioned earlier we do have the fire power to make things happen here. A place in the cup will be a big statement from the side, but we must take it one match at a time, so what matters right now is the opener against Argentina.
Collated fixtures and local timings :
Friday 6 February.
v Argentina 3:24 am
v Scotland 6:42 am
v Samoa 9:54 am
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KWISHA…Nimeruka Nje!!!
