Kenya Sevens hope to continue their good form when they play at the Perth Sevens in Australia, starting with a clash against powerhouses New Zealand at 6 am on Friday.
They are also due for preliminary Pool ‘C’ clashes against Paris Olympic silver medallists Fiji and Uruguay.
Shujaa are ninth on the log with 11 points from the opening two tournaments in Dubai and Cape Town last year.
Fiji lead the standings with 36 points followed by Spain ( 32 ), France ( 30 ), South Africa ( 30 ) and Argentina ( 28 ).
Coach Kevin Wambua welcomes the experienced Vincent Onyala and Brian Tanga to the fold as they build on their seventh finish in Cape Town last December.
Shujaa arrived in Perth on Sunday afternoon and had four days to acclimatise to the sweltering western Australia heat.
Team manager Steve Sewe said they had a good week in training ahead of the three-day tournament.
“The team settled well in Perth. We have done our jetlag protocols so the boys have adjusted accordingly. We are looking forward to the start of the competition,” said Sewe.
Shujaa and New Zealand have met 23 times with the former World Seven Series champions winning 21 clashes.
This, on paper, leaves Shujaa with a mountain to climb.
Wambua said the All Blacks are a skilled-oriented side with physicality.
“We have done our analysis on them and it promises to be a competitive match. I believe there are areas we can capitalise on (to hurt) them,” observed Wambua.
New Zealand won the last meeting between the two at the Toulouse Sevens in May 2023 ( 31-5 ).
Shujaa face Fiji at 10:59 am in another tricky affair for the East Africans.
In head-to-head, Fiji have won 23 encounters between the two sides against Kenya’s three since the inception of the World Seven Series.
Wambua said they would be wary of the Pacific Islanders’ ‘off-loading game.
“Their strength is in offloading. They are physical and are very good in the kick-off reception,” observed Wambua.
In their last clash against Fiji in Vancouver, Canada, in March 2023, a dominant Fiji whipped Shujaa 31- 12.
Shujaa’s final pool match will be against Uruguay at 7 am on Saturday.
The South Americans have the upper hand, winning six of their eight meetings.
However, Shujaa won the last clash 19-14 in sudden death at the Paris Olympics.
On Thursday, Shujaa had their
Captain’s Run at the Nedlands Rugby Club in Perth.
