AXE FALLS ON EIGHT PLAYERS AS 7’S TEAM IS NAMED
January 18, 2007
Only five players have been retained in the national seven-a-side team that departs for Wellington, New Zealand on January 26 for the next two legs of the International Rugby Board Sevens Series in New Zealand and San Diego USA.
Coach Benjamin Ayimba retained his assistant Felix Ochieng’, Brian Nyikuli, Peter Ocholla, Victor Oduor and Innocent Simiyu in the team that played in the opening two legs in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and George, South Africa. Two players who were in that squad have been named as non-travelling reserves. They are Andrew Amonde (Kenya Commercial Bank) and Naftaly Bondo (Impala). Strathmore scrumhalf Philip Moturi got the nod ahead of injured Mwamba forward Horace Owiti.
Simiyu retains the captain’s band ahead of two former captains Lavin Asego, Sidney Ashioya and Ochieng. Kenya Commercial Bank forward Dennis Mwanja is the vice captain. Former Nondescripts utility forward Ben Nyambu returns to the team after nearly three years out. “It was not a walk in the park and he had to fight for a place,” stated Ayimba.
When the team resumed training after the Christmas and New Year holidays, Ayimba hinted the axe was going to fall on some of the players he considered needed more time to raise their game. “The experienced players know what is expected of them and have been working hard to regain their places. It is a thrilling scenario because it brings the best out of the players,” the coach explained.
True to his words, Ashioya is back in the team to add pace to the backs. “This is one ingredient we lacked in the opening two tournaments,” Ayimba observed.
As Ayimba named the team to tackle the best, his goal remains landing the first IRB Sevens World Series points. The benchmark is eight points which means reaching the quarter finals of the main tournament in Wellington and San Diego . “The stakes are high and nothing is impossible,” he added.
This is why he has named a very physical side in what he has termed as the Pool of Death in Wellington where Kenya has been placed together with New Zealand , Argentina and Tonga . “Other teams know that it is suicidal to take Kenya lightly and will come out with their guns blazing. We just have to concentrate and give it out best shot. It will be a tough challenge in Wellington because some of the teams have beefed up their sides with new players,” the former Kenya captain hinted.
Sasha Mutai, the KRFU Director incharge of 7’s rugby urged for government support for the team which he said have been good ambassadors. “The government has given other teams millions of shillings and we should share the piece of cake as the only team sport which flies the Kenya flags in five continents in six months,” he explained. Mutai, a former player for Mean Machine added Kenya , the only amateur core team has talented players who have claimed scalps of fully professional teams among them Samoa , Australia , France , Scotland and Wales .
The 7’s boss admitted the team performed disastrously in Dubai but made a tremendous improvement in George , South Africa . “Revenge will be on the lips of the players as they face Australia who beat us in the Bowl final in George. Argentina will come with their guns blazing after we beat them in South Africa . No game will be easy,” Mutai explained.
Frank Sabwa, the KRFU secretary believes there will be good tidings for the 7’s team. “It is amazing what the players are able to achieve with little resources. The KRFU is fully backing the team and has not left anything to chance. We expect good results,” Sabwa said.
From Tuesday, the players have been busy attending interviews at the American Embassy. The players meet at Brookhouse School on Friday evening for the weekend camp on Saturday and Sunday.
Squad: Felix Ochieng, Sidney Ashioya, Innocent Simiyu, Allan Onyango (Kenya Harlequin), Dennis Mwanja (Kenya Commercial Bank), Brian Nyikuli, Peter Ocholla, Dan Weku (Impala), Lavin Asego, Victor Oduor, Humphrey Kayange (Mwamba) and Ben Nyambu. Officals: Benjamin Ayimba (coach), Oscar Osir (team manager) and George Odhiambo (physiotherapist).
Non-travelling reserves: Andrew Amonde (Kenya Commercial Bank), Philip Moturi ( Strathmore University ) and Naftaly Bondo (Impala).
Released by KRFU Media and Communications communications@kenyarfu.com