Rugby action gestures as Belgium arrive for Safaricom Sevens showdown

Scotland’s Andrew Turnbull (centre) tries to evade a tackle by Kenya’s Lavin Asego (right) during the Bowl Quarter-Final at the Glasgow Sevens in May. [PHOTO: FILES/COURTESY]

By BEN AHENDA

Belgium was the first foreign team to arrive for the 18th edition of the Safaricom Sevens.

The Belgians, who recently won the European Division ‘A’ championships, earning the right to play in the European Grand Prix Series during the 2013/2014 season, landed in the country on Monday.

The other team in the country is The Australian Renegades who arrived yesterday.

The Samurai contingent will touch down today with The England Royals, Grenoble, Zambia, Western Province, Hamilton Raiders, Uganda and Rwanda expected in the country tomorrow for the event that will take place between September 20 and 22 at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

The tournament format will feature 20 teams following the incorporation of the clubs category into the main tournament.

Subsequently, the top seven sides at the recently concluded Safaricom Sevens Series will slug it out with 13 other local and international sides for the Robin Cahill trophy awarded to the overall tournament winners on Sunday. The tournament draw and order of play will be released today.

Squad to be named

Meanwhile, the Kenya National Rugby Sevens team for the eight-legged International Rugby Board (IRB) series will be named this morning at Kasarani, according to interim coach Felix Ochieng’.

Kenya are in Pool A alongside New Zealand, USA and Tonga while Pool B has South Africa, England, France and Spain.

Pool C has Fiji, Wales, Canada and Portugal and Pool D Samoa, hosts Australia, Argentina and Scotland.

Those expected to make it to the final squad include Strathmore Leos’ Anthony Owuor, Homeboyz’s Leonard Mugaisi, Kenya Commercial Bank’s Darwin Mukidza and Andrew Amonde.

The Safaricom Sevens kicks off on Friday with schools/colleges championships ahead of the main tournament on Saturday and Sunday.

Kenya Rugby Union Communications Manager Michael Kwombe said South African Hamilton Rangers as is the latest foreign team that confirmed participation in the event. Others are France’s Grenoble, Zambia, Uganda, Belgium, England’s Royals, Australia’s Renegades, Rwanda, Samurai and South Africa’s Western Province. Kenya will field three sides in the National Sevens team, second string side Shujaa and the Under 19 side Kenya Sevens Academy. —

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