COLLINS INJERA IS BACK: Coach Sewe confident the return of experienced players will ease Kenya's IRB Series relegation woes

Kenyan rugby sevens star Collins Injera in action against China during their Hong Kong Sevens tournament in Hong Kong, 2012 DENNIS OKEYO

Collins Injera returns to Kenya’s rugby national side ahead of Wellington and Las Vegas legs of the IRB Sevens series in February.

His return comes in a backdrop of the Kenya Rugby Union wrangles that saw chairman Mwangi Muthee quit owing to dismal performances in the initial legs of the series.

Coach Steve Sewe in the Kenyarfu.com website indicates that Injera comeback will bring back confidence in the national team after several senior players among them Oscar Ouma, Patrice Agunda and Michael Wanjala boycotted national assignments.

Injera, who will be leading the onslaught, aims to save the national side from being relegated from the IRB series which brings together the world’s top sides.

Also, expected back in the team are Mwamba RFC’s Lavin Asego and Quins’ Felix Ayange who will be back from injury. Others are Strathmore Leos trio of winger Billy Odhiambo, scrumhalf Michael Wanjala and utility back Tony Owuor.

 

FULL HOUSE

Sewe said he expects a full house when the team resumes training on January 5, adding that competition for places will be intense for the next two legs.

“I expect a full house for our training sessions in the New Year with the coming of the young players who have put their heads up in the first three legs. They will be pushing the senior players. It will be good to have some of the senior players back. It will put us in a good position to do well in the next two legs,” Sewe added.

Sewe notes that former skipper Humphrey Kayange and Homeboys fly-half Augustine Lugonzo will miss the two legs as they recover from knee and ankle injuries but could make a return in March for the Hong Kong Sevens.

Sewe said they are also monitoring Biko Adema who is recovering from a wrist injury but could be available for the next two legs.

SEWE CONFIDENT

“We are observing Biko. Lets see how his rehabilitation goes but we hope he will be available for the next two tournaments,” said Sewe who exuded confidence that Kenya will retain their IRB core status despite a poor start of the season.

“I am confident you will see a different Sevens team in Wellington once all our players are available. We can move up from our current position of 14 into the top eight,” he added.

Kenya face Argentina, Scotland and Samoa in Pool “D” in the Wellington Sevens. -Additional information by kenyarfu.com