Oduor ready for New Zealand leg of IRB Circuit

By BS Mulavi

Kenya Sevens international Victor Oduor is feeling more mature as the team heads to the fourth leg of the International Rugby Board Sevens Circuit in New Zealand.

Oduor feels that when the games kick off on Friday, fans will be able to see a much better performance from the Kenya Harlequin flanker.

Oduor was faulted in the first two legs of the circuit in Dubai and South Africa for conceding a number of vital penalties, which the forward blames on the run up to the game.

"When we went to the opening two legs, we were fresh from the fifteens seasons and I was still thinking like a fifteens flanker. This, in turn, affected my game and I conceded a lot of penalties," said Oduor.

The former Mwamba back row was also controversially sinbinned in Kenya’s loss to South Africa in George, but he has refused to get caught up in talk of officiating.

Referees Human

"I know the referees are also human beings and can make mistakes, but we cannot dwell on that. On the sin bin, I knew I was on the wrong and the referee decided to send me out, so I have worked harder in my conditioning so that I make better decisions even when I am tired, because that is when it matters," said Oduor.

Oduor is optimistic that his side will make history this season by winning a major trophy, especially now that they have a solid record in the New Zealand leg, and their best start to the season.

The team already holds 22 points from the first two legs of the circuit and sevens coach, Benjamin Ayimba, is hunting for at least 32 points from the fourth and fifth legs of the circuit.

Started Well

"We have to prove to people what we achieved last season was not a fluke and to do that, we have to better out tally from last season. We have started well and it will be much easier for us to pick up from where we left," he added.

The sevens team amassed 64 points from last season’s campaign but failed to claim any major trophy. This seems to be their number one goal this season, especially with the team having proved they can beat any team in the circuit.

Despite the penalties, Oduor was impressive in the two legs, with the forward starting to put points on the board to add to his uncanny ability to steal possession in the contact situation in turnover balls. The burly flanker will have a pivotal role to play when the team gets onto the pitch on Friday.

Meanwhile, Martin Johnson announced the most exciting backline of his tenure as England manager yesterday as he looks to start the Six Nations with a bang against Wales at Twickenham on Saturday.

Johnson has recalled the mercurial Mathew Tait alongside fit-again Riki Flutey in a new-look centre partnership with Delon Armitage restored to fullback after he, like Flutey, missed the November internationals.