Friday makes a return with Samurais

Former Kenya Sevens coach Mike Friday will lead Samurai International that has three former Kenya Sevens internationals for Safari Sevens due October 3 to 4 at Safaricom Stadium, Kasarani.

Oscar Ouma, who plies his professional trade for Sri Lanka Super League side Kandy, Kenya Harlequin’s Felix Ayange and Sammy Oliech of Impala will play for Samurai after they were sidelined from Kenya Sevens training squad of 31 players named three weeks ago.

“The boys are looking forward to the Safari Sevens next week,” said chairman of selectors, Terry Sands after naming a squad of 12 that is a conglomeration of players from Kenya, Spain, Wales, England, Scotland and France.

Even though Samurai, who are expected in the country on Wednesday will only have two sessions, Sands is optimistic of a great show.

“It’s a good side of young and vibrant players. I believe the few sessions we shall have in Nairobi will be enough to conjure some good results and victory this time around,” said Sands. “We would expect to be a top four team but conditions play a big part.”

Samurai, who are regulars at Safari Sevens are yet to win the diadem but have reached the final twice in 1998 and 2011, losing to Bristol University Select 33-7 and Samoa 31-12 respectively.

Friday makes a return to the country, having resigned after guiding Kenya to the 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens semi-finals and a fifth place during the 2012/2013 World Rugby Sevens Series.

Other teams expected for Safari Sevens are World Rugby Sevens core sides Argentina and Portugal.

Argentina make their third appearance, having lost to Welsh Warriors 24-17 in the final after winning Bowl in 2010 while Portugal make their second return after 2012.

Also coming for the two-day championships are 2016 Rio Olympics hosts Brazil, Italy, Spain and three times losing finalists Zimbabwe, who have in the past been invited for the World Rugby Sevens Series.

Brazil and Italy make their first appearance while Spain reached Bowl semi-finals on debut last year.

Other national teams preparing for the Nairobi event are continental regulars Namibia and Uganda.

Welsh Warriors will be defending their title what with other invitational sides like two-times losing finalists Samurai International, Australia Iconz, South Africa’s Western Province and debutantes England Saxons and Newcastle Wailers bracing up for Nairobi.

Welsh Warriors edged out Argentina 24-17 to win on debut last year. Australia Iconz lost to Auckland Metro also from Australia 7-38 in Plate semi-finals last year.

Shujaa, who are the 2000 and 2013 champions and Morans, are Kenya’s representatives. On standby are Morocco, Pumas from South Africa, Rwanda and Botswana.

Samurai squad:
Ignacio Martin, Glen Rolls, Francisco Hernandez (Spain Sevens); Luke Crocker (Wales Sevens); Michael Fedo (Scotland Sevens); Oscar Ouma, Felix Ayange, Sammy Oliech (Kenya Sevens); Piere Peres (France Sevens); Youness Hou (France Development); Elliot Frewen (Wales Sevens) and Sam Isaacs (England Development).

Technical Team: Mike Friday (Coach); Nick Wakley (Coach); Terry Sands (Chairman of Selectors); Mark Dean (team manager); Andy Bannan, George Odihemo (Physio).