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Kenya names Sevens rugby team for Dubai World Series

Xinhua, November 27, 2015 Adjust font size:

Kenya will seek a new start as they return to the International Rugby Board (IRB) World Series buoyant of sealing qualification to the Rio Olympics.

Head coach Benjamin Ayimba said there are no sacred players as he named his final team for the trip to Dubai, the first in the nine round circuit, which will be on December 4-5 in the United Arab Emirates.

"There is everything to play for in this campaign. We must strive to improve on that and Dubai will be the stage to send out a clear message of what intention the team has," Ayimba said in Nairobi on Friday.

However, Kenya will travel to Dubai without the service of influential Andrew Amonde, the team captain, injured Eden Agero, Oscar Ayodi who has examinations and Dennis Ombachi, who is graduating next weekend.

"Oscar Ayodi has had exams all week, Andrew (Amonde) is busy arranging his sister's funeral. We just want him to have a bit of rest mentally and physically, we want him back fresh after this tournament. We expect the new entrants to the squad to produce results given that we've got good senior players as well," said Ayimba.

The IRB World Series, the highest competition in the sport, will kick off the season with Dubai Sevens on December 4-5 and the Cape Town Sevens a week later.

In Dubai, Kenya has been drawn in Pool D with England, Wales and Australia. It is termed as a group of death and Ayimba's charges must be at their best to pull a surprise and make it to the Main Cup quarters. They need to win at least two matches in their group.

Kenya Team: Collins Injera (Captain), Biko Adema, Willy Ambaka, Oscar Ouma, Billy Odhiambo, Leonard Mugaisi, Augustine Lugonzo, Bush Mwale, Frank Wanyama, Jeffrey Oluoch, Robert Aringo, Nelson Oyoo. Endi