- Collins Injera has not played international Sevens since the Olympic Games
- Coach McGrath says he has returned due to experience
- Shujaa start World Cup against Tonga
Veteran Collins Injera has been included in the Shujaa squad that heads out for the Rugby Sevens World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa. Injera has not played the sevens this season and his last involvement was during the Tokyo Olympic Games last year.
His international appearances this year have come in the 15s, in kenya’s failed bid to qualify for next year’s World Cup in France.
Head coach Damian McGrath says that the top try scorer in Kenya’s history at the World Rugby Sevens Series has been included because of his experience.
“Collins brings a raft of experience. He’s lived it and done it, there’s not many players on the sevens circuit who’ve done and achieved what Collins has. His influence in training is very good. He’s very good with the younger guys and understands how sevens should be played,” coach McGrath said as he named the team.
He adds; “He has been training well with the team and has shown good fitness so he brings an all round personality into the team.”
Injera returns for fourth World Cup
Kenya’s Collins Injera in action against Ireland
Injera returns to compete in his fourth World Cup. He made his debut in 2009.
“I am pleased to be back in the team and definitely I will aim to give my best for the squad and to see whether we can do well in the World Cup. It will be tough but with the team we have I believe we can do well,” Injera said.
The team has been hit with several exclusions, biggest of all being that of Alvin Otieno, who has asked to be excluded due to personal reasons. The tactician has also excluded Bush Mwale and Daniel Taabu over what he called disciplinary issues.
“Alvin has left the program to pursue personal interests, which is a big blow because he is one of the world’s best sevens forwards. We’ve lost Taabu and Bush for internal disciplinary matters which have been dealt with but necessitated them being left out of this particular squad. It’s a blow to the team but we are confident with the squad we have selected.”
Also named in the team are Willy Ambaka and Billy Odhiambo who will be playing at the World Cup for the third time. Skipper Nelson Oyoo, Sammy Oliech, Jeff Oluoch and Herman Humwa have been included and will play the World Cup for the second time.
Five debutants for Shujaa
Shujaa head coach Damian McGrath during a training session
Johnstone Olindi, Vincent Onyala, Kevin Wekesa, Tony Omondi and Edmund Anya are lining up for their debuts. This will be the sixth time Kenya is playing in the Sevens World Cup. They qualified after finishing third at the Africa Sevens.
The format for the World Cup is slightly different from the regular World Sevens Series. Shujaa start with the first preliminary round against Tonga. A victory in this tie takes them into the Round of 16 where they will meet Argentina.
A victory here will earn a quarter final ticket where a tie against either New Zealand or the winner between Scotland and Jamaica awaits.
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