Kenya’s men’s rugby sevens team, Shujaa, is determined to bounce back stronger in the upcoming Vancouver 7s after finishing 10th at the Perth 7s. The team narrowly lost 19-12 to New Zealand in the ninth-place final, placing them ninth overall in the World Rugby Sevens Series standings with 14 points.
Shujaa’s attention now turns to the Vancouver 7s, set to take place from February 21-23, 2025, in Canada. The team faces a tough challenge in Pool A, which includes Argentina, France, and Great Britain.
Tough Competition Ahead
The pool-stage opponents are no strangers to Shujaa:
- Argentina: Shujaa lost 26-14 to Argentina in the Cape Town 7s fifth-place semi-final last December. The South American side is in top form after securing a resounding 41-5 win over Australia to clinch the Perth main cup.
- France: The French side, who finished sixth in Perth after a 17-5 loss to Fiji, will be looking to improve their standing in Vancouver.
- Great Britain: Despite being defeated 32-17 by Shujaa in Cape Town, Great Britain ended their Perth campaign on a high note, beating Uruguay 33-7 in the seventh-place final.
Coach Wambua Reflects on Perth Performance
Shujaa’s head coach, Kevin “Bling” Wambua, expressed mixed feelings about the team’s performance in Perth.
“We’re gutted not to have made it into the top eight after losses to New Zealand and a close one against Fiji in the pool stage. However, I’m happy with our comeback wins against Uruguay and the USA,” he said.
Despite fielding a young squad—75% of whom are series debutants—Wambua praised the team’s ability to compete with top-tier opponents. “Going toe-to-toe with these teams shows that we’re on the right path and that our systems are working. We’ll continue to trust the process,” he added.
Wambua acknowledged the need for improvements in critical areas such as lineouts, defense, and decision-making during breakdowns, especially when fatigued.
“Our set piece, especially the lineout, let us down, and we will work hard to improve this critical area,” he noted.
With three legs remaining in the 2025 season, Shujaa faces a challenging path to retain their place among the world’s top rugby sevens teams. Wambua emphasized the team’s commitment to achieving their season goal of staying in the top eight.
“There’s no room for error at this level. We are picking up valuable lessons from every game, win or lose, and we’re committed to growing together as a team,” he concluded.
As Shujaa gears up for Vancouver, the stakes are higher than ever. Consistent performances in the remaining tournaments are crucial for the team to avoid relegation and secure their spot among the global rugby sevens elite.
