Kenya Sevens assistant coach Louis Kisia details Dubai 7s plans and target
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Reading Time: 3min | Wed. 13.11.24. | 09:31
They have landed a tough Pool A where they will be up against France who are fresh off a gold win at the Paris Olympics and a victory in the final Series event in Madrid
Despite shaky preparations, Kenya Sevens have set lofty ambitions ahead of the much-anticipated 2024-2025 HSBC SVNS Series kickoff.
The Series gets underway with the Dubai 7s scheduled from Saturday 30 November to Sunday 1 December 2024, at The Sevens Stadium in Dubai.
The Kevin Wambua-coached outfit is targeting 13 points from every leg of the Series, which equals a top-five finish in each leg.
Speaking on the pool, the team’s assistant coach Louis Khisia was confident that they were well prepared for the challenge.
“It’s a tough pool but I believe the boys are well prepared for the rigorous opening leg of the Seven Series. We played Australia in the Olympics in Paris in July so we know what to expect from them. South Africa will be an African derby and we know they are a quality side,” he told The Star.
“I believe we will be competitive against them. Against France, it will be a tough encounter but the boys are up to the challenge,” he continued.
They have landed a tough Pool A where they will be up against France who are fresh off a gold win at the Paris Olympics and a victory in the final Series event in Madrid.
Adding extra excitement to Pool A is an all-African showdown, as Shujaa takes on South Africa, a team with a strong record in Dubai. Shujaa defeated South Africa 17-12 during the 2023 Rugby Africa Men’s 7s – cum Olympics qualifiers in Zimbabwe. The South Africans will be hungry for revenge.
Rounding up the pool is Australia, reigniting their rivalry with Kenya following their Olympic clash.
Shujaa are coming off an impressive Safari 7s win where they defeated Shogun Rugby, formerly Samurai 12-0. The victory added to their titles from 2021, 2023, and now 2024.
“I believe we can achieve those targets in the first two tournaments considering this is a young vibrant squad. We have the momentum after dominating Safari Sevens,” he offered.
The team had contract issues, forcing the players and coaching staff to halt training until reaching a new agreement with the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU). The issues have since been sorted but some senior players are reportedly yet to join the rest in the camp.
“Issues to do with contracts are personal but the boys have been coming to training and are putting their hand up. We have a squad of 24 players to choose from and we expect to send a formidable team to Dubai,” he concluded.
2025 SVNS Series Destinations
In August, World Rugby announced the first five destinations and dates for the HSBC SVNS 2025 Series. The action kicks off in Dubai. The teams will then head to Cape Town’s DHL Stadium for the second round from Saturday 7 to Sunday 8 December.
Following a successful debut, Perth’s HBF Park in Australia will host the third round from Friday 24 to Sunday 26 January 2025. Vancouver’s BC Place will follow, bringing its vibrant atmosphere for the fourth round from Friday 21 to Sunday 23 February 2025. Finally, the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens will host the fifth round from Friday 28 to Sunday 30 March 2025.
Details on additional events, including the Grand Final, are yet to be announced but aim to build on the excitement of the 2024-2025 SVNS Series with a mix of rugby, music, food, and entertainment.
In line with its commitment to gender equality, the HSBC SVNS 2025 Series will feature combined men’s and women’s tournaments at every stop, with equal participation fees for all teams. This initiative ensures a strong global platform for women’s rugby, highlighting the growth and impact of the sport.
Men’s Pools
Pool A: France, South Africa, Australia, Kenya
Pool B: Argentina, Ireland, Great Britain, Uruguay
Pool C: Fiji, New Zealand, USA, Spain
Women’s Pools
Pool A: Australia, Ireland, Fiji, China
Pool B: France, USA, Great Britain, Spain
Pool C: New Zealand, Canada, Japan, Brazil
