Shujaa shift gears to Commonwealth after Hong Kong heartache

The Kenya sevens rugby team ‘Shujaa’ will shift focus on winning gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games after seeing their  dream of bagging the Hong Kong Sevens title nipped in the bud by a ruthless Fiji who crushed them 24-12 in Sunday’s epic final .

The Hong Kong heartbreak notwithstanding, the Innocent Simiyu coached boys will be buoyed by their splendid twin performance in Vancouver and Hong Kong which saw them scoop silver medal in both tournaments.

With this momentum, the aim  is to top their pool, sail to the semis and later final if they are to claim a podium finish in the global competition.

Pooled in group ‘C’ together with New Zealand, Canada and Africa Cup bronze medalists Zambia, Shujaa have every chance at claiming a bite at the cherished cherry.

The team will fly directly to Gold Coast from Hong Kong and open their quest for Commonwealth gold this Saturday at 3:15am against Canada, before taking on another familiar foe New Zealand at 7:17 am. The Innocent Simiyu coached side will then shift focus on Zambia whom they tackle from 1:27 pm in their last pool ‘C’ game. Unlike the last two Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and New Delhi where the top two teams from each pool sailed to the quarters, the rules have changed and only top pool finishers will earn passage to the semis.

This therefore means that Kenya will have to put their best foot forward.

In 2014, Kenya managed a Cup quarters qualification, losing 19-7 to New Zealand who went on to edge out Australia 19-7 in semifinals but lost 17-12 to South Africa in the final.

After the Commonwealth outing,  Shujaa will jet back  to begin preparations for the eighth round of the HSBC Sevens in Singapore set for April 28-29.

Shujaa are in Pool ‘B’ of the Singapore Sevens alongside Mike Friday’s USA, France and the Queens Republic England.

Kenya maintains their position seven with 81 points with three legs remaining to the end of the HSBC Sevens Series while Fiji retains their second position with 123 points after seven rounds.

On the same breath, Kenya Lionesses will also be part of the Commonwealth Games after earning their ticket in the qualifications round.

However, the Kevin “Bling” charges will have to compose themselves and believe in their abilities after being pooled in a group of death that includes New Zealand, Canada and Africa continental champions South Africa.

Lionesses scooped the third position after going down 12-7  to South Africa in the semifinals at sudden death and a podium finish for them at the global bonanza will sooth their sorrows.

Apart the loss they also missed out as the women’s core team to qualify for the HSBC Women’s Sevens League, which eventually went to China.

Meanwhile, neighbours Uganda who have six Kenya Cup players on their Commonwealth roster are pooled alongside Vancouver and Hong Kong Champion’s Fiji,Wales and debutant Sri Lanka.

Kabras Sugar RFC sensation Philip Wokorach will spearhead the Uganda’s assault in the 28 edition of the Games.

2018 Commonwealth 7s Men’s pools:

Pool A: South Africa, Scotland, Papua New Guinea, Malaysia

Pool B: England, Australia, Samoa, Jamaica

Pool C: New Zealand, Canada, Kenya, Zambia

Pool D: Fiji, Wales, Uganda, Sri Lanka

Kenya 7s Commonwealth Games Fixtures ( EAT)

Women’s pooling

Pool A — New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, Kenya

Pool B — Australia, Fiji, England, Wales,