By James Waindi

National rugby sevens team captain Humphrey Khayange is optimistic the team will carry 18 points from the next two International Rugby Board (IRB) series in Wellington and San Diego.

Speaking on Friday night before the team departed for the international assignments, Khayange said the team had performed dismally at the George Sevens and has to make amends in the next tournaments.

" We learnt our lesson at the George Sevens which has caused us a deficit of six points and as a result, we have to bag 18 points from the next two legs to be back in competition and it is what we are going for.

Kenya’s Collins Injera (right) tackles an opponent from New Zealand in a past encounter. The team left the country on Friday for the IRB Sevens series in Wellington and San Diego.

[PHOTO: FILE/STANDARD]

" We have had two months of intensive training and the players are in good psychological and physical form, I don’t see anything that would stop us from performing," said Khayange.

The team has been boosted by the return of influential Sidney Ashioya, who is back in action after two years. But they will be without the services of Victor Sudi and Dennis Mwanja who are nursing injuries and Ian Simiyu who is attending to personal commitments.

A stop-over

The team was expected to have a stop-over in London before proceeding to Wellington next Monday where the event is set to take place on February 6 and 7.

" We have to give the series our best since it will be part of our preparation and test for the World Cup in Dubai, because we will only be remaining with ten days before the global event when we return from San Diego," said coach Benjamin Ayimba. The World Cup is expected to kick off on March 6 in Dubai.

After the Wellington event, Kenya will travel directly to San Diego for the fourth event on February 14 and 15 where they have been pooled alongside reigning champions New Zealand, France and Uruguay in Pool ‘B’.

Beating the champions

Kenya was close to beating the champions in the first leg of the circuit but a last minute try saved All Blacks the blushes.

The ‘Virgin Boys’ now have the chance to set the record straight against the team, which also lost out on the trophy to South Africa in the opening two legs.

Kenya also lost to France in the George leg in the bowl semi final, but the stakes are now higher and the national coach Benjamin Ayimba is keen to get his team back on track to gain maximum points.

Uruguay are the underdogs in the group, but Kenya should not take any team for granted.

Team: Collin Injera, Humphrey Khayange (Captain), Victor Oduor, Horace Otieno, Cyprian Shimenga, Gibson Weru, Brian Nyikuli, Peter Ocholla, Nato Simiyu, Sidney Ashioya, Allan Onyango, Joshua Gathumbi, Lavin Asego, Ben Nyambu, Biko Adema, Coach: Benjamin Ayimba. Assistant Coach: - Felix Ochieng’.

Team Manager: Oscar Osir.

Physiotherapist - George Odhiambo.