Paul Treu named Kenya 7s coach

South African Paul Treu is the new Kenya Sevens rugby head coach.

Treu, whose contract with South Africa ends in October, takes over from Briton Mike Friday who resigned last month mid-way through his two-year contract.

However, Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) chairman Mwangi Muthee indicated that he is going to make a comprehensive statement on Wednesday over Treu’s engagement alongside the rest of his technical wing.

The 42-year-old Treu, who was born in Swellendam, Western Cape, will have Felix “Toti” Ochieng and Humphrey “Tall” Kayange as his deputies.

“We are discussing with Treu alongside a team of 10 specialists with one goal of developing Kenya Sevens product at all levels starting at the counties,” said Muthee. “We want to come up with a complete solution of Kenya Seven development and should be able to give you all the nitty-gritty of the whole set up.”

Treu, who is a teacher by occupation, having lectured at University of the Western Cape and Stellenbosch University, has had a successful career with the Springboks Sevens.

Treu, who has been coach for eight seasons making him the longest serving national coach, has won 14 tournaments on the International Rugby Board (IRB) World Sevens Series in this time as well as one IRB World Series title.

South Africa Rugby Union appointed Treu as Sevens head coach in 2004 after representing the team from 1999 to 2002 at sweeper and later as captain. As coach he led the team to the IRB Sevens World Series title in 2008/09. He coached the team to three Rugby World Cup Sevens titles and led it to bronze at the Commonwealth Games in India in 2010.

U-20 WORLD CUP

Meanwhile, the Kenya Under-19 team inched closer to qualifying for next year’s Under-20 Junior World Cup when they stunned Zimbabwe 29-20 to reach the final of the Confederation of Africa Rugby (CAR) Under-19 tournament in South Africa. Kenya is now set to play Namibia on Saturday in the final. Namibia annihilated Madagascar 50-22 in the other semi-final.

Kenya led 10-5 from tries by Nakuru’s fly half Allan Odiyo and Kenya Harlequin lock Herman Humwa but Zimbabwe equalised at 10-10 before taking the led 15-10 at the break.

Zimbabwe went up 20-10 before Paul Murunga’s charges reduced the deficit at 17-20 from Homeboyz centre Kevin Ochami’s try that was converted by club-mate Michael Waliahula. Kenya was home and dry for their first ever win against the Zimbabweans with two more tries with one conversion, with Homeboyz flanker Humphrey Mulama going for the touchdown as Ochami completed a brace to take victory 29-20.

Murunga, who praised his players for their first ever win against Zimbabwe, predicted a big fight against the Namibians. “We have come a long way from ninth place four years ago to top two now,” Murunga said. “Namibia have been playing for long and are big but we are ready for that challenge.”