By BS Mulavi
The Kenya rugby Sevens team have landed physical pool in the New Zealand leg of the International Rugby Board (IRB) Rugby Sevens slated for February 5 to 6.
After an outstanding start to the IRB Sevens circuit, the number six team in the IRB rankings is poised to face bitter rivals England, an unpredictable USA side and Pacific side Tonga in a challenging pool C.
The New Zealand Sevens are the third leg of the IRB Sevens circuit and Kenya will go to Wellington
in sixth place hoping to keep up with their good start.
Sevens Captain Humphrey Kayange is looking up to the challenge and is confident of a good performance from the team. "England are always a good team to face. We have beaten them in the past and we can do it again. However, they do have the upper hand in our last encounters but I am sure we can correct that with the right mentality and adequate training," said the Kenya team play maker.
Kayange is, however, wary of Tonga who he says their team does not have enough experience against.
"We do not know Tonga well, some of these teams come into the circuit and spring up surprise victories and we have to be careful while dealing with them."
Prestigious sevens
Tonga is not one of the top dogs in the IRB circuit and therefore does not play in every leg but since the circuit is in their part of the world they will get a chance to participate in the world’s most prestigious Sevens competition.
Kayange was, however, confident of beating the USA, who according to him is a beatable side when the Kenyan team is fully focused.
"These days no game in the circuit is easy so we just have to trust our abilities and from there I am sure we will be in a better place to beat any team that we come up against," added the Mwamba centre.
Kenya is tied at 22 points with Argentina and have looked stronger with every game. New Zealand leg has always been a good hunting ground for the Sevens team thus expectations of a good performance.
