Injera says Safari Sevens the perfect Olympic test

Kenya’s record World Rugby Sevens Series try scorer Collins Injera says the Safari Sevens offers a perfect litmus test in the national team’s preparations for the Japan 2020 Olympic qualifiers.

Injera was named in the Shujaa team after staying out during the whole of last season and hopes his inclusion, and that of other senior players who had boycotted the squad, can galvanise the team.

“We’ve prepared very well and the past few weeks have been about getting our conditioning and fitness right. It’s a good thing the tournament’s happing right now because it gives us an opportunity to test ourselves,” Injera told Citizen TV.

Injera will be joined by William Ambaka of Kenya Harlequins in the Shujaa side that will be captained by KCB RFC’s Andrew Amonde.

The 33-year-old emphasised the importance of getting the right balance in the team in terms of integrating the experienced players and the new faces and backed the youngsters to stake a claim for the future.

“Last season they learnt important lessons from the world cirucit and when you look at the younger lads like Johnstone Olindi and Daniel Taabu they’ve proved they can play at the top level. Now it’s about playing as a team and we’re trying to get the right mix for that,” Injera offered.

Shujaa and Kenya Morans trained together at the St Mary’s School in Nairobi on the eve of the weekend-long tournament that will also feature Kenya Cup champions KCB, South Africa, Samurai and Russia Academy who are coached by former Fijian and Hall of Famer Waisale Serevi.

Shujaa were finalists in last year’s edition, losing 21-14 to Samurai International while Kenya Morans finished third after beating Spain 12-5.

They are in Pool C alongside South Africa’s Blue Bulls, Russia academy and Zambia while Morans face off South Africa, Uganda and Burundi in Pool A.

-Report by Denzel Kimani