EYES ON SIMIYU:New 7s coach faces baptism of fire as World Series start today
Rugby
By
John Lawrence
| Dec 02, 2016
National sevens Captain Andrew Amonde leads his charges against France at 8am today as the World Rugby Sevens Series kick-off in Dubai.
The opening match will also see Innocent Simiyu return to World Rugby Sevens Series today but this time, not be on the pitch running, tackling or even passing the ball; no, he will be the man on the touchline.
Simiyu will be the sole centre of authority at a time when the team seeks to redefine its identity. The last time Kenya was at the HSBC Rugby Sevens stage, Benjamin Ayimba was the coach and that was the day, Collins Injera made history by clocking the highest number of tries ever scored by an individual player at that stage.
That was in London in May this year, when Injera was at his best form and the entire the team was made up of an experienced side raring to go. Today, newly appointed Simiyu popularly known as Namcos, has a new side as the season kicks off.
The coach has a team with two inexperienced players who have never played at the International Rugby Sevens series stage before. His team selection was not helped with the go slow by players ahead of the Dubai leg.
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However, the duo of Brian Tanga and Darwin Mukidza are not your every day kind of debutants, the two have played international matches and the adrenaline and desire to touch down is burning within their spirits and will.
Apart from Amonde, coach Simiyu will be counting on the experience of Dan Sikuta, Billy Odhiambo and Wiliam 'Lomu' Ambaka to lead the team's onslaught.
All eyes will, however, be on Martin Owila, Cyprian Kuto, Nelson Oyoo and Frank Wanyama who have had a brilliant season locally to progressively offer a similar if not better display. Leonard Mugaisi and Augustine Lugonzo are likely to provide the requisite speed needed to attack while protecting Kenya's turf.
After the tie against France, Kenya take on Japan at 11am before the last group match against Australia at 5:22pm.
Meanwhile, The Kenya Lionesses started their Dubai Sevens campaign with a 17-12 win over Belgium in a Pool B tie yesterday.