All guns drawn as Kenya take on world’s top sides in Wellington 7s

BY BS MULAVI

The Kenya National Sevens team, under South African Paul Treu, are up for a rough battle in Wellington as they kick off their campaign in the fifth leg of the International Rugby Board Sevens circuit.

Their opposition - Samoa, Australia and Tonga in the group stages - have sharpened their claws in what is shaping up to be an epic battle between some of the best known names in the rugby world.

Most teams have kept the squads that took part in the USA leg of the circuit. Australia has madeonly one change to the team, with long-standing captain Ed Jenkins re-joining the squad after an injury layoff.

Speaking to their official Australian Sevens Website Ed Jenkins said “I believe we have a realistic chance in Wellington to make a real statement and get into that top four. The boys are relishing the opportunity to play in front of a packed out New Zealand crowd that absolutely love their Rugby Sevens.”

This may be bad news for Kenya, who face Australia at 6.51am today with both teams eager to make a print in the tournament.

Despite the immense competition, the game between Kenya and Tonga will have special significance given that Tonga will be hoping to raise funds from their fixtures in Wellington for victims of Cyclone Ian.

Sevens Wellington tournament CEO Marty Donahue said: “Tonga is a magnificent competitor at Sevens Wellington and is always hugely popular with the crowd. The fundraising gesture will help alleviate some of the destruction of Cyclone Ian and we hope Wellington will get behind this fundraising and assist where they can.”

Secretary of the Wellington Tonga Leaders Council Senorita Laukau says her organisation is very happy that Cyclone Ian relief efforts will be the major charity focus at this year’s Sevens.

Tonga is not a core team in the IRB games and will only be participating in New Zealand because they are the regional qualifiers after beating Papua New Guinea to third place in the Pacific Games in Wallis & Futuna last year where Samoa emerged as champions.

Meanwhile, Samoa coach Viliamu Punivalu has said he respects every team and will work hard to beat them.

“I think those days are gone where you have some teams who are easily beaten, we are not underestimating anyone,” said Punivalu.

Meanwhile, following an overwhelming response to a campaign on social media, the Kenya side that will play in the Vodacom Cup will be known as Simba XV.

Thanks to sponsorship from EABL through their Tusker Brand, they will be referred to as The Tusker Simba XV for the duration of the tournament.

 Kenya Rugby Union Chairman Mwangi Muthee said, “ I want to thank all those who sent in their name suggestions. By settling on the name Tusker Simba XV, we are recognising the efforts of the shirt sponsor EABL through their Tusker brand. Simba is Swahili for lion, which also happens to be the KRU logo. It exemplifies the passion, character and determination of the Kenyan rugby player.”