The Kenya 7s rugby team, popularly known as Shujaa, is set for an intense challenge in Pool A of the Vancouver 7s, the fourth leg of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series. The tournament, slated for February 21 to February 23 in Canada, will see Shujaa square off against heavyweights Argentina, Olympic champions France, and a strong Great Britain side.
This comes on the heels of their 10th-place finish at the Perth 7s in Australia, where Shujaa showed glimpses of brilliance but ultimately fell short of their performance at the Cape Town 7s.
Kenya 7s vs. Familiar Rivals
The Vancouver 7s draw places Shujaa in a challenging pool with three familiar opponents, all of whom have previously locked horns with the Kenyan side. Coach Kevin Wambua’s charges will need to bring their A-game as they look to capitalize on their experience and recent form.
FT score#Shujaa 12 – New Zealand 19
We wrap up our Perth 7s campaign in 10th place.
A MASSIVE APPRECIATION to our fans who’ve stood with us all through this weekend. #HSBCSVNSPER #MpesaPowersKenya7s #SafaricomRugby #SportpesaNaShujaa pic.twitter.com/kd5XYd3wvh
— Shujaa (@KenyaSevens) January 26, 2025
France – A Chance for Revenge
France will be a critical matchup for Kenya. The last time the two teams met was during the Dubai 7s pool stage, where France narrowly edged Kenya 24-19 in a dramatic sudden-death match. Shujaa will undoubtedly be motivated to avenge that loss, especially after showing moments of brilliance in Dubai. With France boasting a well-drilled squad, Kenya will need to utilize their speed and agility to counter the French physicality and tactical prowess.
Argentina – A Formidable Opponent
Shujaa’s second pool opponent, Argentina, has consistently been one of the strongest teams on the circuit. The two sides last met during the Cape Town 7s in December 2024, where Kenya succumbed to a 14-26 defeat. Argentina’s aggressive style of play and structured attack make them a tough nut to crack, but Kenya will aim to exploit any defensive lapses and apply pressure through their counter-attacking play.
Great Britain – A Renewed Rivalry
Kenya’s final pool opponent, Great Britain, will face a confident Shujaa side, having suffered a 32-17 defeat to the Kenyans during the Cape Town 7s seventh-place playoff. That victory marked one of Kenya’s finest performances in recent tournaments, showcasing their ability to rise to the occasion. Shujaa will look to replicate that display and continue their dominance over the British side.
Perth 7s Recap: Lessons Learned
Shujaa’s campaign at the Perth 7s offered both positives and areas for improvement. Shujaa began their pool matches with a 29-14 defeat to New Zealand, followed by a narrow 21-14 loss to Fiji. Despite these setbacks, they ended the pool stage on a high note with a 19-5 victory over Uruguay.
In the ninth-place semifinal, Kenya edged the USA 26-21 in a thrilling encounter, showcasing their resilience and determination. However, their hopes of finishing higher were dashed by a 19-12 defeat to the All Blacks in the ninth-place playoff, leaving them in 10th place.
While the Perth 7s result marked a drop from their seventh-place finish at the Cape Town 7s, the team displayed moments of brilliance that will inspire confidence heading into Vancouver.
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Pool B: The Tournament’s ‘Group of Death’
While Kenya faces its own challenges in Pool A, Pool B has been dubbed the “group of death.” It features rugby powerhouses Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and Ireland. These teams have consistently dominated the circuit and are expected to produce high-stakes, electrifying matches in Vancouver.
Pool C: A Balanced Competition
Pool C includes Spain, Fiji, Uruguay, and the USA, making it a balanced yet competitive group. Fiji’s consistency on the circuit and the USA’s unpredictability will likely set the tone for this group, while Spain and Uruguay will aim to spring surprises.
Kenya 7s Strategy for Vancouver
For Kenya to make an impact in Vancouver, they will need to leverage their key strengths:
- Speed and Agility: Shujaa’s fast-paced, counter-attacking rugby has often been their strongest weapon. Players like Patrick Odongo and Kevin Wekesa will be pivotal in exploiting defensive gaps and creating scoring opportunities.
- Set-Piece Efficiency: Shujaa demonstrated improved set-piece execution during the Perth 7s, and this will need to continue in Vancouver. Winning lineouts and scrums will provide a platform for their attacking plays.
- Defensive Resilience: Kenya’s defense will need to be watertight, especially against physically dominant teams like Argentina and France. Tackling and defensive alignment will be crucial in stifling the opposition’s attack.
- Discipline: Avoiding unnecessary penalties and maintaining composure will be essential, particularly against elite opponents. Kenya’s ability to capitalize on numerical advantages, as seen in Perth, will also play a significant role.
Looking Ahead
As Shujaa prepares for the Vancouver 7s, the team will be aiming to build on the lessons learned from their recent outings. The tournament presents an opportunity to test themselves against some of the best teams in the world and, more importantly, to reignite their campaign in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.
Fans and rugby enthusiasts will be eagerly watching as Shujaa looks to make a statement in Vancouver, hoping to bring back the glory days of Kenyan rugby on the global stage. With a mix of experience and young talent, Shujaa has the potential to upset the odds and deliver memorable performances in Canada.
