Kenya’s sevens national team head coach Damian McGrath has made four changes ahead of the Los Angeles and Vancouver legs in the 2023 World Rugby Sevens series.
Strathmore Leos utility Brunson Madigu will debut for the national team in the upcoming legs with McGrath saying the inclusion of Madigu will be a great opportunity for the lad to taste the world rugby series.
“Madigu has been outstanding in the local circuit…has so much talent and has trained so well, so we’ve decided it would be a great opportunity for him to taste some world series action,” McGrath said.
McGrath at the same time will be buoyed by the return of Mwamba duo Billy Odhiambo and Daniel Taabu who makes a comeback after missing out on the tour of New Zealand and Australia respectively.
Commenting on the return of the two experienced players, McGrath welcomed the two adding they bring a wealth of experience needed to be given the exit of the legendary Collins Injera and Willy Ambaka who called time on their glittering careers.
“The three players who are coming in are Billy Odhiambo who brings a vast wealth of experience and it will be crucial for us at this time, Daniel Taabu whose been outstanding as a utility player and was badly missed on the last trip when he was unavailable for personal issues,” McGrath said.
Commenting on the squad selection, Head Coach Damian McGrath said, “It’s a crucial leg for us…we’ve picked the strongest possible available team. There are three changes from the previous trip. Of course, Willy Ambaka has stepped away after a glorious career and that will be a big hole to fill, and also, we’ve made two tactical changes as well.”
Shujaa who have been pooled in Pool C for the sixth round of the HSBC series are set to tackle two-time Olympics winners Fiji, HSBC World series defending champions Australia and fast-rising Japan.
Kenya is currently placed 12th in the HSBC World Sevens series standings with 21 points, 3 points behind Uruguay who are ranked 11th, and 14 points behind 10th-placed Great Britain.
The youthful Kenyan side is yet to make any Cup quarter after four legs of the series with the Damian McGrath-coached side staring at a possible relegation.
According to the HSBC sevens series organisers only 12 teams will be retained for the new season while the 15th-ranked team will be relegated at the penultimate leg in Toulouse, France.
The 12th, 13th, and 14th placed teams will engage in a Challenger in the 11th and final leg in London with the winner staying for the new season.
Heading to the USA tour, Shujaa will be hoping they will be well-prepared to post positive results that will help them avoid relegation at the end of the season.
Team captain Nelson Oyoo spoke of the team’s preparedness, saying, “We are well-prepared for the assignment coming in, and we want to get out of the relegation zone. For us to do that, we want to reach the quarter finals …we have a higher chance, looking at the pool in Los Angeles. We would like to urge our fans in Los Angeles to come and support the team.”
Shujaa squad to Los Angeles and Vancouver Series
Nelson Oyoo (Captain), Herman Humwa (Vice Captain), Kevin Wekesa, Alvin Otieno, Dennis Abukuse, Brian Tanga, Tony Omondi, John Okoth, George Ooro, Billy Odhiambo, Edmund Anya, Daniel Taabu, Brunson Madigu
Los Angeles Pools
Pool A: New Zealand, Samoa, USA, Chile
Pool B: South Africa, Ireland, Uruguay, Canada
Pool C: Fiji, Australia, Kenya, Japan
Pool D: France, Great Britain, Argentina, Spain.
