THE STANDARD ON SATURDAY
Anxiety is mounting among the rugby fraternity, with the Kenya National Sevens team once again dropping to the Bowl of the Wellington leg of the International Rugby Board series.
The team has in the past raised hopes by recording sterling performances against world acclaimed rugby nations. Indeed, expectations were high when former South African coach Paul Treu took over the team from interim coach Felix Ochieng in November last year. The team has played four tournaments under Treu, including Dubai, South Africa, Las Vegas and the ongoing Wellington leg.
The team has produced certain sparks of brilliance, making it to the Plate semi-finals of both the Dubai and South Africa legs, but they have struggled considerably in Las Vegas and New Zealand.
These two venues are nearly 10 hours ahead or behind Kenyan time hence jet lag and acclimatisation may have taken their toll on the squad. But overall, the side has failed to match their previous performances, with Treu failing to reveal his starting squad, given the number of changes he has been making per game.
Treu claims he needs time to build the team and has set long-term targets, but Kenyan fans are not willing to languish in the Bowl stage.
Treu and his men must pull off convincing performances in the remaining legs in Japan, Hong Kong, England and Scotland.
Failure to step up their game means impatient Kenyans will be baying for Treu’s blood at the end of the season.
