Shujaa face test of character at Paris Sevens

Fiji's Alasio Naduva (L) is tackled by Kenya's Jacob Ojee (R) during the rugby union sevens pool match between Fiji and Kenya on the first day of the London 2019 World Rugby Sevens Series event at Twickenham Stadium in west London on May 25, 2019. [AFP]

All eyes will be at the Stade Jean Bouin in Paris, the host venue of the final round of the World Sevens Series as Kenya continue with their push to avoid relegation this weekend.

 

Shujaa find themselves in a make-or-break situation in the French capital having failed to do themselves any favours at last weekend’s London Sevens where they finished last after managing a single point.

The Paul Murunga-coached team occupies 14th position with 27 points, two more than Japan who are in the relegation zone.

Wales, who dislodged Kenya from 13th position last weekend, are also involved in the relegation dogfight having collected 30 points.

Interestingly, Shujaa have been drawn together with the Welshmen in pool B of the Paris tournament. The two relegation candidates will come up against London Sevens silver medalists Australia as well as South Africa’s Blitzboks, who have booked a slot at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics since they are guaranteed of a top-four finish in the series.

The other relegation-threatened team Japan is in pool D where they will face France, New Zealand and Scotland.

Kenya, who made their debut as a core team in the series during the 2002-03 campaign, are faced with the prospect of relegation for the first time and captain Jacob Ojee has rallied his troops ahead of the season-defining tournament.

“Our restarts in London were good but we can definitely make them better and also improve on our defensive shape for improved performance,” Ojee said.

Kenya Harlequin’s duo of Herman Humwa and Eden Agero together with Homeboyz halfback Michael Wanjala linked up with the team in Paris as replacements for the injured Daniel Taabu and Dan Sikuta.
Shujaa’s opening match at the two-day tournament will be against Australia before they face South Africa and Wales.

Despite Kenya’s disappointing outing in London, the likes of vice-captain Jeffrey Oluoch, his Homeboyz teammate Bush Mwale and KCB’s Vincent Onyala put up solid individual performances and coach Murunga will be hoping that the trio transfers that form to Paris.

Oluoch was ranked fourth in the London Sevens Impact Player chart after managing six tackles, four breaks, eight offloads and 25 carries while Mwale was the second best try scorer after grounding the ball six times.
 

Shujaa fixtures in Paris
Today
Versus Australia - 1:06 pm
Versus South Africa  - 4:10 pm
Versus Wales  - 7:36 pm
Paris Sevens pools 
Pool A:  Fiji, Ireland, Argentina, England
Pool B: Australia, South Africa, Wales, Kenya
Pool C: USA, Canada, Samoa, Spain
Pool D: France, New Zealand, Scotland, Japan