SHUJAA OFF FOR 7s BATTLE DOWN UNDER: Team beaming with confidence ahead of Wellington and Sydney showdown

Sevens Rugby team

Kenya Sevens rugby team departed for Wellington yesterday afternoon beaming with confidence ahead of this weekend’s third round of the 2015/16 HSBC Sevens World Series in New Zealand.

Shujaa will be hoping to replicate their remarkable performance in the second leg in Cape Town where they finished fourth with 15 points and moved up to the ninth place on overall World Rugby Series Standings.

Kenya highlights Group D, which has Australia, Canada and Portugal starting January 30-31.

Despite being considered as favourites in their Group, head coach Benjamin Ayimba expects stiff opposition from their opponents.

“We are motivated by our preparation and the high morale in the team. Of course Cape Town’s display is still fresh in many people’s minds but that’s totally behind us and our target now is to top the group,” said Ayimba.

“This is a very unpredictable group as all the four teams are looking for a win. We need to be very cautious as the trick is when the group looks that favourable it is easy for us to rest on our laurels and expect to do better. In modern rugby there are no favourites and the competition becomes stiffer as the season progresses. “However, we have selected the strongest and best team we have at the moment. It was not easy to select this team, but the positive thing is that everybody is looking forward to give his best in Wellington. We want to continue improving on our performance,” added Ayimba.

Kenya currently ranks ninth and have been boosted by the availability of captain Andrew Amonde and experienced Humphrey Kayange, who missed the first two legs in Dubai and Cape Town. After the Wellington assignment, Shujaa will head to Sydney, Australia for the fourth leg on February 6-7.

Meanwhile, Impala RFC extended their lead at the top of the Kenya Cup table after beating visiting Nakuru RFC 28-15 at the Impala Grounds, on Saturday.

The second win against Wanyore whom they stunned 26-18 in the first leg tie on January 9 saw Impala take their points tally to 35 points from eight matches. Kenya Harlequin thrashed Kenyatta University’s Blak Blad 53-8 as defending champions Kenya Commercial Bank bounced from last weekend’s defeat to Quins to beat Mwamba RFC 27-19 at Railways club.

In other matches played on Saturday, Homeboyz drubbed Mean Machine 27-7 as Thika suffered a 35-5 defeat to Western Bulls.

Nondescripts beat Bungoma Sharks 38-15.

Andrew Amonde (Captain), Collins Injera (Vice-Captain), Oscar Ouma, Humphrey Kayange, Nelson Oyoo, Biko Adema, William Ambaka, Oscar Ayodi, Eden Agero, Billy Odhiambo, Bush Mwale and Donald Aluoch.

Non-travelling reserves: Robert Aringo, Leonard Mugaisi, Alvin Otieno

Management: Benjamin Ayimba (Head Coach), Paul Murunga (Assistant Coach), Geoffrey Kimani (Strength & Conditioning Coach), Lameck Bogonko (Physio), Newton Ong’alo (Team Manager)