Kenya sevens centre John Okoth during a training session in Bordeaux, France/ HANDOUTKenya Sevens face a defining weekend at the Bordeaux World Rugby Sevens Championship leg in France as they seek to secure core status for next season.
Kevin Wambua’s charges head into the final leg of the World Championship Series eighth on the standings with 14 points and must maintain a top-eight finish to guarantee their place among the elite teams next season.
Shujaa have endured a mixed campaign, showing flashes of brilliance alongside periods of inconsistency. In Hong Kong last month, Kenya finished seventh after losing 28-12 to New Zealand and 14-5 to Australia before stunning the USA 17-10 to advance to the quarter-finals as one of the two best losers.
However, their run ended in the last eight following a narrow 26-22 defeat to South Africa. They responded impressively by beating France 21-7 to claim seventh place. A similar pattern emerged in Valladolid, Spain, last weekend.
Shujaa opened with a 15-10 sudden-death loss to Australia before falling 14-0 to South Africa. A hard-fought 12-7 victory over Great Britain secured a quarter-final berth against Australia. Kenya’s title hopes were ended by a 21-0 defeat to the Aussies before France handed them a 14-5 loss in the classification match, leaving them eighth overall.
In Bordeaux, Shujaa start their campaign against Fiji at 3:44 pm. The Pacific Islanders sit fourth on the standings with 28 points and hold a superior head-to-head record, having won 20 of the 29 meetings between the two sides.
Wambua expects a stern test from the Fijians. “It’s a tough start for us, but there are no easy matches at this level. We are aware of the threat Fiji pose, especially in kick-off receptions, set-pieces and turnover ball,” said Wambua.
Shujaa will then take on African rivals South Africa at 9:36 pm. The Blitzboks have beaten Kenya in both meetings this season, but Wambua believes the gap between the teams is narrowing.
“We pushed them close in Hong Kong. I want the boys to match their physicality, defend as a unit and create opportunities for ourselves to win the match,” he said.
Kenya will conclude their pool campaign against Great Britain on Saturday at 11:44 am. The top two teams from each pool, together with the two best third-placed sides, will advance to the Cup quarter-finals scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.
