Kenya's Kayange to lead Bristol rugby team
What you need to know:
- The 30-year-old centre, who captained Kenya to the historic 2009 Rugby World Cup Sevens semi-finals, will spearhead the Barracudas that have several Welsh and England internationals.
- England internationals Marcus Webber and Luke Treharne are in the team alongside Welshi international Fraser Harkness who relishes an opportunity to step up for selection in the Scotland Sevens team for the 2010/11 HSBC Sevens World Series events.
- Other players in the squad are Nicholas Wakely, Mark Dean, Benjamin Frankland, Sam Cross, Steve Wood, Henry Conchie, Charlie Mortimer and Jonathan Walker.
- Last year, Kayange played for Bristol Select who lost to Tiger Rugby from US in the Bowl final 14-17.
Former Kenya Sevens captain Humphrey Kayange, currently studying at Bristol University, will lead Bristol Barracudas to this year’s Safaricom Safari Sevens rugby tournament from September 21 to 23 in Nairobi.
The 30-year-old centre, who captained Kenya to the historic 2009 Rugby World Cup Sevens semi-finals, will spearhead the Barracudas that have several Welsh and England internationals.
England internationals Marcus Webber and Luke Treharne are in the team alongside Welshi international Fraser Harkness who relishes an opportunity to step up for selection in the Scotland Sevens team for the 2010/11 HSBC Sevens World Series events.
Other players in the squad are Nicholas Wakely, Mark Dean, Benjamin Frankland, Sam Cross, Steve Wood, Henry Conchie, Charlie Mortimer and Jonathan Walker.
Last year, Kayange played for Bristol Select who lost to Tiger Rugby from US in the Bowl final 14-17.
The most successful sevens coach in the world, Gordon Tietjens, who was the chief guest at the 2010 event will grace this year’s championship in a different capacity.
Fresh from being inducted into the IRB Hall of Fame in May 2012, Tietjens will be in the country on behalf of New Zealand Rugby Union to monitor nine All Black players, who are part of Samurai International ahead of the IRB Sevens season.
Among the players is playmaker Lote Raikabula, who is described at the ‘little magician’. However, Raikabula will play operate under the captaincy of winger Osea Kolinisau, a prominent figure in Fiji’s campaign at the 2008 and 2009 World Sevens Series .
Some of All Blacks players making the Samurai team are Julian Savea, Scott Curry, Ed Cocker, Zar Lawrence, Rocky Kahn, Chad Tuoro and Jack Wilson.
Others are All Blacks Sevens trialist Warwick Lahmertare, former All Blacks junior international Faifele Levave and Nathan Hohaia. Also in the Samurai team is former Fiji Sevens captain, utility back Naisoni Roko.
Safaricom Sevens organising committee chairman Sasha Mutai indicated that Samurais will be the first team to arrive on Monday.
Among the latest confirmations are the oldest rugby club in South Africa Hamilton Raiders, who will be returning after missing last year’s event.
Tickets are on sale at KRU offices at the RFUEA grounds, Ngong Road and selected Safaricom outlets.
