Murunga banks on experience ahead of Shujaa squad naming

Kenya Sevens head coach Paul ‘Pau’ Murunga believes the few  senior players left in the team will bring stability in the  squad and help the youngsters settle and  express themselves  in major tournaments with Hamilton Sevens  primed  to take  place from  January 26-27 in New Zealand.

The former Homeboyz tactician singled out Homeboyz scrum-half Michael Wanjala, KCB winger Jacob Ojee and Kenya Harlequin winger Cyprian Kuto as some of the senior players in his rank whom  he’ll be counting on to show leadership and guide the new blood.

“The squad we have has a lot of junior players aged 23 years and below but off course I have a few senior players; we have Michael Wanjal, Jacob Ojee and Cyprian Kuto and according to me they will be able to stabilize the junior players and show them the ways on how to play and how to settle in such tournaments,”Murunga said.

Shujaa have only multinational oil refineries company Bidco Ltd as the governing body’s sole main sponsor in their next outing after the Kenya Rugby Union parted ways with their last season’s sponsors, Brand Kenya.

This led to division between the Union and some of the senior players who rejected the new contacts which had a very huge pay cut.

Winger Collins Injera, Dennis Ombachi, Nelson Oyoo, flanker Andrew Amonde, centre Willy Ambaka, Billy Odhiambo, full back Sammy Oliech, and lock Dan Sikuta have not played this season.

Eden Agero, who captained Shujaa during their opening two rounds of the HSBC World Sevens Series season, has also not reported back to training.

Murunga called Kenya Harlequins back-half William Reeve, KCB centre Peter Kilonzo, Mwamba’s Mike Agevi, Charles Kuka of USIU and Homeboyz’s Bush Mwale from the 15’s side to join his training camp.

“As they train we will be able to gauge them and see if they can play in the sevens and play to the expected level”.

Murunga is expected to name his squad tomorrow for the Hamilton squad, with the playing unit expected to be a blend of experience and fresh blood.

In New Zealand Shujaa will face South Africa, Scotland and France in Pool C.

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Shujaa New Zealand Paul ‘Pau’ Murunga Kenya Sevens Hamilton Sevens

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