Safaricom Sevens proves Kenya is ready to join IRB circuit
South Africa’s Elite Player Development who won the Safaricom Sevens at the Nyayo Stadium on September 23, 2012. Photo/Mohammed Amin
What you need to know:
The rebuilding of Kenya’s Sevens team seems to be on the right track. The new technical wing headed by former England coach and player Mike Friday will juggle whom to select for the final team of 12 players for the IRB World Sevens Circuit opening leg in Australia, to be played on October 13 and 14.
The skills and high standard of play witnessed during the 17th edition of Safaricom Sevens last weekend have strengthened Kenya’s case for an IRB World Sevens Circuit event.
The participating teams put in top class performances to the delight of the fans who packed the 30,000-seater Nyayo National Stadium.
Kenyan teams Morans, Shujaa, Chairman’s Select and Universities Select were well supported by fans in their team’s colours.
Morans succumbed to a last minute try that saw South Africa’s Sevens Elite Player Development Team win 21-17. Shujaa of Kenya settled for third place after dismissing Spain 21-7.
The rebuilding of Kenya’s Sevens team seems to be on the right track. The new technical wing headed by former England coach and player Mike Friday will juggle whom to select for the final team of 12 players for the IRB World Sevens Circuit opening leg in Australia, to be played on October 13 and 14.
The shorter Sevens version seemed a tough call for the Ugandan sides. Cranes lost to Kenya’s Chairman’s Select 17-7 in the Bowl semi-final, and Kobs succumbed to Zambia 7-14 in the semi-finals.
Rwanda struggled to make their presence felt, and eventually lost to Universities Select 0-14 in the Shield semi-final.
Pre tournament favourites Portugal and Spain, who are among core sides in the IRB Series, played way below the expectations of many.
Spain, who beat Portugal 5-0 in the Cup quarters, lost to Morans in the Cup semi-final 17-0. The Spaniards finished fourth, going down 7-21 to Shujaa in the play-off. Portugal managed a Plate semi-final where they were thrashed 31-0 by Samurai.
Samurai’s Lote Raikabula who had attracted much media hype in the run-up to the tournament failed to inspire his team to glory as he only managed one conversion for the entire tournament. His team won the less prestigious Plate final.
Sponsors Safaricom and Kenya Rugby Union are already thinking about moving the championship from Nyayo Stadium to the the bigger Moi International Sports Centre.
