World Series-experienced Portugal plot Cup success

Former World Rugby Sevens Series core side Portugal hope to be third time lucky when Safari Sevens is held this weekend at the RFUEA grounds.

The Iberians featured in the 2012 and 2013 editions of the Safari Sevens.

Head coach Antonio Aguilar cautioned their opponents to prepare for a fast-paced game from his side that is a blended of youth and experience.

The tournament proper begins Saturday at RFUEA grounds.

An Under-19 and Veterans tournaments will be staged Friday at RFUEA and Impala Club.

Portugal has four players with World Rugby Sevens Series experience, skipper Tiago Fernandez, Frederico Caetano, Fabio Conceicao and Joao Granate.

Portugal highlights Pool "C" that has two times former Africa Sevens champions Uganda, Kenya Morans and Kenya sevens champions Homeboyz.
"I have many young players in the squad that I want to expose. This is a quick side," said Aguilar.

"We are here to win this time round."

Aguilar said their return to Safari Sevens is part of their rebuilding plan towards their return to World Rugby Sevens Series next season. "We stayed away from last year's World Series after we were relegated. These are the kind of tournaments that we require in our course."

Aguilar said he was curious to see the challenge the tournament would offer.

"Kenya always have strong and fast players who have played together for long while Uganda pose another threat by virtue of winning the African title twice," said Aguilar.

From other pools, Aguilar singled out Kenya Shujaa, who are the defending champions, and World Rugby Sevens Series core side Spain and Samurai International as the teams to watch.

Shujaa are in Pool “A" with Namibia, Apache and Mwamba while Spain highlight Pool "B" that also has Samurai, Red Wailers and Emerging Uganda.

"Shujaa's potential is know while we have played Spain at the European Circuit and have beaten them before," said Aguilar before taking his charges through training at Impala Sports Club grounds last evening.

The tournament has no prize money and no title sponsor this year.

ORDER OF PLAY

Saturday

Samurai v Red Wailers (10am), Spain v Emerging Uganda (10.22am), Uganda v Morans (10.44am), Portugal v Homeboyz (11.06am), Namibia v Apache (11.28am), Shujaa v Mwamba (11.50am), Samurai v Emerging Uganda (1.00pm), Spain v Red Wailers (1.22pm), Uganda v Homeboyz (1.44pm), Portugal v Morans (2.06pm), Namibia v Mwamba (2.28pm), Shujaa v Apache (2.50pm), Red Wailers v Emerging Uganda (4.00pm), Spain v Samurai (4.22pm), Morans v Homeboyz (4.44pm), Portugal v Uganda (5.06pm), Apache v Mwamba (5.28pm), Shujaa v Namibia (5.50pm)