Another big SA scrap awaits Kenya Sevens team
What you need to know:
- The team, made up of part timers, faces unpredictable Russia in their Pool “B” opener of the Sydney Sevens 4:06 am at Allianz Stadium before tackling tough Scotland at 7:24 am.
- Kenya wrap up their group fixtures against regular and difficult opponent South Africa at 11:05 am as the two renew their continental rivalry.
- Kenya’s speedster Collins Injera, who has so far scored 10 tries this season, will look to close in on the all-time try scoring record.
- The Benjamin Ayimba-coached Kenya collected 10 points from their Plate semi-final at Wellington Sevens a week ago for a total 30 to move one place up to eighth in the world standings.
The Kenya Sevens team continue their hunt for their maiden World Rugby Sevens Series leg victory in Sydney, Australia over the weekend.
The team, made up of part timers, faces unpredictable Russia in their Pool “B” opener of the Sydney Sevens 4:06 am at Allianz Stadium before tackling tough Scotland at 7:24 am.
Kenya wrap up their group fixtures against regular and difficult opponent South Africa at 11:05 am as the two renew their continental rivalry.
Kenya’s speedster Collins Injera, who has so far scored 10 tries this season, will look to close in on the all-time try scoring record.
Injera is placed third on the vaunted list with 213 tries, seven behind England legend Ben Collings (220) and 17 behind current Argentina coach Santiago Gomez (230).
PREVIOUS RESULTS
The Benjamin Ayimba-coached Kenya collected 10 points from their Plate semi-final at Wellington Sevens a week ago for a total 30 to move one place up to eighth in the world standings.
The team finished fourth at Cape Town Sevens but slumped to Plate semi-final after losing 0-36 to New Zealand in the Cup quarter-final in Wellington.
Ayimba though seems to be getting the team back to its former world beating self.
Kenya though have only twice reached the Cup final, back in the 2009 Adelaide Sevens and more recently 2013 Wellington Sevens.
Looking at their Sydney group opposition, the Russians have never beaten Kenya.
RENEWED RIVALRY
Scotland and Kenya exchanged a win each last season.
Kenya edged out the Scots 19-17 at Wellington Sevens preliminaries and the Scots revenged at London Sevens, winning 26-12 in the preliminaries.
Saturday’s meeting could go either way. Kenya will be facing South Africa for the second time this season, having stunned them at Cape Town Sevens in December 14-12 victory on their way to finishing fourth after losing to France 26-28 on the play-off.
“Consistency is what we want to achieve going forward,” said deputy coach Paul Murunga after they Wellington Sevens performance.
“What is pleasing is that we a have strong bench and we have been able to get the combinations right.
“The unity at the technical bench is amazing.”
Even though South Africa lost to Kenya in Cape Town preliminaries, they went on to retain the title, beating Argentina 29-14 in the final.
Kenya will expect a backlash from the title chasing South Africans.
New Zealand head Pool “A” where they face hosts Australia, Canada and Portugal.
Fiji await Argentina, Samoa and France in Pool “C” possibly the toughest of the four while England will play USA, Japan and Wales in Pool “D.”
