National Sevens Circuit resumes with Christie Sevens: Kabras Sugar coach Charles Cardovillis demands more from his charges

STRATHMORE WIN GREAT RIFT 10-A-SIDE Jacob Okumba of Kabras Sugar(with the ball) try to make a pass past Hamphrey Owour of Strathmore university during the finals of GreatRift 10-A SIDE at Nakuru ASK Show on 27-03-2016 PHOTO:BONIFACE THUKU

Cardovillis challenges his side to continue with good run of form after lifting Sepetuka crown.

Kabras Sugar coach Charles Cardovillis has challenged the Christie Sevens champions to replicate the good show they had at the Sepetuka Sevens in this weekend’s fifth round of the National Sevens Circuit at RFUEA Grounds.

The Millers trounced Impala 26-7 to claim the inaugural Sepetuka tournament a fortnight ago and consequently moved into second place on the table with 63 points, five behind series leaders Homeboyz.

Kabras headlines Pool A of this year’s Christie Sevens which also features Kenya Harlequin, Strathmore and Mombasa RFC, while last year’s tournament’s losing finalists Homeboyz are in Pool C alongside Western Bulls, Mwamba and Nondescripts.

But with both Impala and Menengai Oilers still in the overall series title contention, the former Kenya Harlequin coach has called on his players to prove their worth in what could be a decisive leg of the season.

“We can build on Sepetuka success as our foundation for the next tournament. What makes it even better is how things are tight at the top. After winning Sepetuka, we moved from sixth to second, that shows how tight it is up there; we are now five points behind Homeboyz. We are just taking one tournament at a time and the reality is we can take the overall series title,” said Cardovillis.

“The 2017 series is fantastic, competitive and its neutrality makes the competition exciting. Generally, you can see the competition has improved and the number young players coming through increased.”

Meanwhile, national sevens men’s team has been drawn in Pool A of the 2017/2018 HSBC World Sevens Series opener, Dubai Sevens slated for December 1-3.

Kenya will battle with series champions South Africa, Singapore Sevens winners Canada and invitational side Uganda in the preliminary round.

Pool B has England and their rivals Scotland, France and the newly promoted Spain.

Olympic champions Fiji are drawn in Pool C with Australia, Wales and Japan while New Zealand, USA, Argentina and Samoa make up Pool D.

Women’s series winners New Zealand are top seeds in Pool A where they will face USA, France and invitational side South Africa on 30 November at The Sevens Stadium.

Pool B sees Australia, Russia, England and Japan meet on day one while Canada, Fiji, Ireland and Spain are drawn in Pool C.

At the same time, DJ Forbes, the most capped player in HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series history, has announced his retirement from the game.

Forbes started on the road to stardom 11 years ago in 2006 and since then he has amassed a record 89 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series tournament appearances and played in a record 512 World Series games, scoring 153 tries. He was on the winning side in 26 tournaments and notched up six World Series victories.

He also captained New Zealand to gold at the Commonwealth Games and Rugby World Cup Sevens.

Forbes was named World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year in 2008 and has been the recipient of the Richard Crawshaw Memorial Trophy for Sevens Player of the Year in 2007, 2008 and 2014, the most wins by any player. 

“The last 11 years with the All Blacks Sevens has been an awesome ride that I’ve loved every minute of,” he said.