Rugby: Simiyu banks on experience for Dubai Sevens

RUGBY New Kenya Sevens Captain Oscar Ayodi during squad naming ceremony at RFUEA Grounds, Nairobi on Nov 24, 2017. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Kenya Sevens head coach Innocent "Namcos" Simiyu has opted for a tried-and-tested group of players for the HSBC Sevens World Series season-opening Dubai Sevens set for December 1and 2 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Save for Kenya Harlequin forward Herman Humwa, who will be making his World Series debut, the rest of the players in the 12-member squad that departs for Dubai on Monday, have been on international duty before.

Kenya have been boosted by the return of Collins Injera and William Ambaka, who were last in action at the Hong Kong and Canada Sevens respectively. Homeboyz forward Jeff Oluoch is also back in the team for the first time since the 2015-2016 season.

Homeboyz centre Oscar Ayodi will captain the team in the absence of injured Kenya Commercial Bank flanker Andrew Amonde.

With Shujaa drawn in Group A alongside Series champions South Africa, Canada and neighbours Uganda, and having guided the team to 12th position (63 points) on his first season as Kenya coach, Simiyu believes experience will be vital in achieving their 100 point-mark target this campaign.

“We have had a very good pre-season and we are very hopeful this season. We have picked a very experienced squad to start off the season because we want to set the standards up there,” Simiyu told The Standard Sports after yesterday’s squad-naming ceremony at RFUEA Grounds.

However, the former Kenya Sevens and fifteens captain admitted that it was not easy coming up with the final squad.

“I think this was the hardest selection since I took over. It is very interesting that all the players showed determination and we had 100% training attendance. All players were hitting their targets and we believe with that atmosphere, we are on the right track,” said Simiyu. [Rodgers Eshitemi]