After collecting 10 points at the Sydney7s last weekend, Kenya Sevens side Shujaa is set to make an improvement at the Hamilton sevens, the fourth leg of HSBC world ruby sevens series in New Zealand.
Innocent Simiyu led team is in Pool D and will battle out for one of the two available Main Cup quarter final slots with former head coach Mike Friday’s United States, Samoa and Canada, a tough call for Shujaa who have a few of their star players missing.
Simiyu consents that this pool will not be a walk in the park but insists the team’s performance and improvement have been on the upward trajectory and will give an even more assured show in New Zealand.
Shujaa are placed ninth on the World Rugby table with 23 points, same as Canada who are a place lower due to points difference with Samoa two places down with a one point difference
They begin their campaign with Samoa at 1am Saturday morning, taking on a side that narrowly edged them out 19-17 during their last meeting at the Cape Town leg of the Series in December last year.
Prior to their South African meeting, Kenya had beaten Samoa with a healthy 17-7 gap at the Singapore leg of the 2016/2017 series in April last year. Shujaa find themselves on the right side of history as they have managed to win seven of their last 10 assignments against Samoa.
Shujaa then take on Canada at 4:26am, before winding up their group ties against the USA at 8:22am.
In the other groups, log leaders South Africa headline Pool B where they will battle out with Papua New Guinea, Russia and perennial rivals England.
Second placed New Zealand’s All Blacks are in Pool C alongside Argentina’s Pumas, France and Scotland. Pool A will see Australia, Fiji, Wales and Spain clash.
This is the first time that Hamilton is hosting a World Sevens Series leg.
Shujaa squad
Nelson Oyoo, Oscar Ouma (Nakuru, Captain), Samuel Oliech (Impala Saracens, Vice Captain), Brian Tanga, Dan Sikuta (Kabras Sugar),Willy Ambaka, Eden Agero (Kenya Harlequins), Andrew Amonde, Arthur Owira (KCB), Erick Ombasa, Samuel Ng’ethe (Menengai Oilers), Augustine Lugonzo (Homeboyz)