‘Memories are made of this’

Rugby Union - Fiji v Kenya - World Rugby Sevens Series - Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong, China - April 8, 2018 - Kenya's Billy Odhiambo is tackled by Fiji's Samisoni Viriviri. REUTERS/Bobby Yip Rugby Sevens

Kenya Sevens are fired up, as they prepare for this weekend’s Singapore Sevens, the eighth leg of the 2017/2018 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.

Coming off a dismal performance at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, where they finished eighth overall, Shujaa will be seeking to continue with their impressive performance in the global series.

Having reached the finals of the last two tournaments (Vancouver and Hong Kong) and with the memories of their historic 2016 Singapore victory still fresh in their minds, captain Oscar Ouma believes they will be motivated by their past performance.

“We are feeling nice, getting back here; for the guys who were in the finals here it’s pretty exciting. Being in two finals in the previous two legs, we hope to replicate the 2016 performance and hopefully win it,” Ouma, who missed the 2016 Singapore leg due to injury, told The World Sevens Media.

Reflecting on winning their first ever World Sevens title after stunning Fiji 30-7 in the final two years ago, before recently losing to them in the Vancouver and Hong Kong finals, the Nakuru loose forward said:

“Looking back at 2016 for the guys who were here, it was all about brotherhood and playing for the man next to you, giving it your all hard work and dedication. That’s what the guys did and won the tournament.”

However, going by their current form in the Series, where they are ranked seventh with 83 points, Ouma is optimistic of a good outing this weekend. “Just putting in the hard work and never giving up, always having the belief we can go the extra mile and hopefully win it if we get to the final here,” he said.

“Definitely, Singapore has a sentimental value to the team, winning our first tournament here. It brings good memories. So, it’s a good place to play.”

His sentiments were echoed by speedster and Kenya’s all-time top try scorer Collins Injera.

“Singapore is always special to us, being the first tournament that we have won in 2016. Coming here is always nice, as we have good memories and a good vibe within the team. We hope that the weather remains hot and humid, as it will favour us,” Injera told The Fox Sports.

Kenya have been drawn in Group B Mike Friday’s USA.