DUO RETURNS

Oliech, Oluoch recalled for Los Angeles Sevens tourney

Kenya are currently ranked 13th on the log with 38 points in what has been an underwhelming season with the side making it to just two main cup quarterfinals so far.

In Summary

• Shujaa are in Pool D and begin their campaign in North America against Samoa on August 27 at 8.26 pm (EAT).

• Englishman McGrath said: "The side for L.A was selected mainly from the contracted players. I’ve made two changes from the Commonwealth Games team simply to have a look at other players, so Sammy Oliech and Jeff Oluoch will come in."

Sammy Oliech in a past World Sevens Series tournament
Sammy Oliech in a past World Sevens Series tournament
Image: WORLD RUGBY

Shujaa head coach Damian McGrath has made two changes to the squad ahead of next weekend's Los Angeles Sevens tournament.

Jeff Oluoch and Samuel Oliech return to the Shujaa squad, replacing Levi Amunga and Herman Humwa — who were part of the national team to the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham three weeks ago.

Oluoch has had an ankle injury for the better part of this season and had missed a huge chunk of the series but has finally been declared fit for the season-ending tournament.

Oliech makes a return after a two-year absence due to an Achilles injury.

 Englishman McGrath said: "The side for L.A was selected mainly from the contracted players. I’ve made two changes from the Commonwealth Games team simply to have a look at other players, so Sammy Oliech and Jeff Oluoch will come in."

"It’s not a reflection on the guys who have been left out…it’s just a chance for me to look at them because we are looking to change the senior squad group to bring in some younger players from the National Sevens Circuit,” added McGrath.

Shujaa are in Pool D and begin their campaign in North America against Samoa on August 27 at 8.26 pm (EAT).

This will be followed by a fixture against England at 11.10 pm the same day before rounding off pool play against Scotland at 2.21 am on Sunday morning.

McGrath added: “We are in a fairly tough pool. Samoa are the leading team in our group. They’ve been playing very very well this year…been based in Dubai since Christmas training, playing and preparing as a team…so they’ll offer a tough assignment for the first game."

"We then play England and Scotland who, despite having a young team, they always have a wide pool of players to choose from, so they’ll offer a different challenge. Scotland beat us narrowly at the Commonwealth Games and whilst we are not going there expecting to turn everybody over, we are very confident that we can put in some good performances,” he added

Kenya are currently ranked 13th on the log with 38 points in what has been an underwhelming season with the side making it to just two main cup quarterfinals so far.

The tactician said the L.A tournament will be good preparation for the Rugby Sevens World Cup which will take place in Cape Town on September 9-12.

"This tournament gives us a good opportunity to test our systems and look at combinations as well as our skill level and mental strength,' he said.