Rugby: KRU wrangles with senior Shujaa players continue

Shujaa have had to do without 14 senior players since the beginning of the 2018/2019 World Sevens Series season [Courtesy]

Kenya Rugby Union wrangles with senior Kenya Sevens players are far from over after the latter accused the Union of mistrust and blowing their recently agreed return to work formula out of proportion.

Shujaa have had to do without 14 senior players since the beginning of the 2018/2019 World Sevens Series season after they broke ranks with the KRU board over contractual issues.

Their absence has been heavily felt as the 14th placed Paul Murunga charges are now facing relegation after performing dismally in the opening six legs where they garnered a paltry 18 points.

In the 2014/2015 season during Paul Treu’s tenure, the team flirted with relegation for the better part of the campaign after the senior players downed their tools over unpaid dues.

The South African’s predecessor Benjamin Ayimba was also rocked by a similar dispute during his reign.

The players who were on a go-slow included all-time second top try scorer Collins Injera, former captain Andrew Amonde, Eden Agero, Samuel Oliech, Billy Odhiambo, William Ambaka, Nelson Oyoo, Dennis Ombachi, Leonard Mugaisi and Dan Sikuta.

On Monday night, KRU issued a press statement saying they had met the ‘striking’ senior players and had agreed on a return to work formula for the remainder of the season; with their first national team involvement set for April 5-7 in the Hong Kong leg.

“The boys are welcome in the team. They will be given a chance to be selected to play in remaining legs," said Shujaa coach Paul Murunga.