Notably, Shujaa have resumed training without several senior players who played a big part in their promotion back to the HSBC series and the Africa 7s cup victory.
The Kenya national Rugby 7s team – The Shujaas - have been drawn in pool B for the Dubai 7’s which is scheduled for November 30-December 1, this marks the start of the 24/25 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series season. In their pool, Shujaa will face Olympic champions France, South Africa and Australia.
This will be Shujaa’s return to the tournament for the first time since May 2023, when they were relegated after losing to Canada in the London 7’s playoffs. The coach Kevin Wambua team which only resumed training on Monday following delays caused by contract disagreements with the Kenya Rugby Union will be aiming to make a strong comeback.
However, they face a tough challenge in their group. France are the reigning series champions, South Africa finished sixth in the last season, and Australia, whom Kenya met at the Paris Olympics earlier this year, triumphed 21 – 7 over Shujaa in that encounter.
Notably, Shujaa have resumed training without several senior players who played a big part in their promotion back to the HSBC series and the Africa 7s cup victory. The players include Vincent Onyala, Tony Omondi, Kevin Wekesa, George ‘Japolo’ Ooro and Chrisant Ojwang’ who are still in contention with Kenya Rugby Union concerning different contract terms given to them.
Other players already in camp include; Samuel Asati, Daniel Taabu, Nygel Amaitsa, Patrick Odongo, William Mwanji, Dennis Abukuse, Lameck Ambetsa, Benson Salem, Floyd Wabwire, Brian Mutua, Augustine Owino, Philip Okeyo, Michael Wamalwa, Brian Ondego, Elvis Olukusi and rookie Jackson Siketi.
DUBAI 7’s POOLS
POOL A: France, South Africa, Australia, Kenya
Pool B: Argentina, Ireland, Great Britain, Uruguay
POOL C: Fiji, New Zealand, USA, Spain
World Rugby 7s Series Calendar (First 5 rounds)
Dubai 7s – 30 Nov to 1 1 December 2024
Cape Town 7s -7 to 8 December 2024
Perth 7s – 24 to 26 January 2025
Vancouver 7s – 21 to 23 Feb 2025
Hong Kong – 28 to 30 March 2025