Fired-up Ouma, Injera scents blood ahead of Las Vegas Sevens

Kenya Sevens skipper Oscar Ouma is confident they will post impressive performances in North America where they’ll compete in the Las Vegas and Vancouver Sevens.

The 11-man squad flew out on Saturday ahead of the largest annual rugby competition in North America, drawing over 60,000 fans, but is acutely aware of the huge mountain they have to surmount in the Las Vegas assignment.

The Las Vegas 7s takes place from March 2-4 while the Vancouver 7s in Canada will run from March 10-11.

However, despite the challenge that beckons, Ouma is adamant his team will yield the desired results in the two legs and hopefully add to the already accumulated points.

“We make no bones about it, we want to win. We have trained and worked hard to be here, our aim now is to be competitive and compete with the other big rugby nations and get to perform to our level and with a bit of luck, we can record positive results,” Ouma said.

Ouma is also confident that the return of Billy and Injera to the traveling squad will be a huge boost to the team.

“I believe Injera (Collins) brings in a lot of experience to the squad and also Billy, he’s a big guy with great knowledge of the game and will play a key role in achieving our set goals for these two upcoming rounds,” Ouma added.

The return of the Mwamba duo will no doubt be a boost to the Innocent Simiyu coached charges as they aim to add to the already accumulated 35 points.

In a separate interview with Citizen Digital, Injera said that he is optimistic that the team will realize its goals in the assignments.

“It is amazing to be back. I can’t explain it.  It will be great to score tries, that is my job, the forwards get me the ball and it will be my job to finish it so I am looking forward to this challenge,” Injera said.

Injera will be looking forward to adding to the 246 tries he’s scored placing him at position two in the HSBC Sevens Series all-time scorers behind England’s Dan Norton who has 272 tries.

The traveling party, which jetted out on Saturday is in pool A alongside Hamilton 7s champions Fiji, France and Russia.

Shujaa start their USA Sevens campaign against France at 2.44am on Saturday March 3, 2018, they will then play Russia at 5.45am before concluding against Fiji at 11.36pm.

The USA Sevens is the fifth of the 10 tournaments in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series this year.

Kenya Sevens is eighth in the 17 team HSBC Sevens Series log standings and the two upcoming legs will be a good podium for the boys to improve their style of play and points tally having in mind the looming Sevens World Cup.

Traveling Squad

Oscar “Big Wheels” Ouma-Top Fry Nakuru

Andrew Amonde-KCB

Willy Ambaka-Harlequins

Dan Sikuta-Kabras Sugar

Arthur Owira-KCB

Eden Agero-Harlequins

Sammy Oliech- Impala Saracens

Jeff Oluoch-Menengai Cream Homeboyz

Nelson Oyoo-Top Fry Nakuru

Eric Ombasa –Menengai Oilers

Sam Muregi-Menengai Oilers

Playing dates and time:

2/3/2018

Kenya7s v France 18:44

Kenya7s v Russia 21:45

3/3/2018

Kenya7s v Fiji 15:36