AIMING HIGH: Shujaa determined to put last year’s disastrous Vancouver show behind

 

Kenya's Shuka Frank Wanyama forces his way out against Newcastle Wailors during tthe 2015 Safari sevens rugby tournament at Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani on Oct. 4, 2015. [PHOTO:DENNIS OKEYO/STANDARD]

    

Kenya Sevens center Frank Wanyama believes the national team is determined to put last year’s disastrous outing in Vancouver behind them when the sixth leg of the 2017 HSBC World Sevens Series kicks off tomorrow at BC Space Stadium, Canada.

Wanyama, who was recalled ahead of last weekend’s fifth round in Las Vegas where Kenya won the Challenge Trophy, vividly remembers their dismal show in the 2016/17 season in Canada.

The eleventh ranked Kenya (35 points) registered its worst ever performance at Vancouver last year bagging only one point after winning a single preliminary match against Portugal (43-5). They lost 26-19 and 24-19 to Samoa and Series champions Fiji respectively.

Shujaa have been pooled in a tough Group A against continental rivals and current Series leaders South Africa (107), third ranked England (81) and bottom placed Chile (1).

It will be the second meeting between Kenya and the three sides in less than a month after losing both 19-12 and 14-7 to England and South Africa in Sydney respectively. They however beat Chile 21-19 in Vegas Challenge Trophy quarter-finals last weekend.

Despite being pooled in a Group of ‘death’ the Kenya Harlequins star is confident of a good outing in Canada.

“We are in high spirits and ready for the tournament. We have had enough in the Challenge Trophy, so it is time for us to get back to our rightful place in the tournament. It is unfortunate that, we only lost one game in Vegas and still found ourselves in the Challenge Trophy,” Wanyama told Feverpitch on a phone interview.

“It is a difficult group, but we must come out of it with something. We are motivated by the fact that we have played all the three teams before and even beat them. This is also an incentive in itself and a moment for us to put last year’s miserable performance here behind us and bounce back. It is a challenging a tour, but we must respond quickly from Vegas disappointment.”