Kenya Sevens youngster ranked among top points scorers ahead of Perth 7s
.jpg)
Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 23.01.25. | 15:29
He will be looking to extend his fine form as Shujaa faces their opponents during the Perth 7s
Kenya 7s talented back, Nygel Amaitsa, has been ranked among the top scorers after two legs of the HSBC World Rugby 7s Series.
Amaitsa, who plays for Kenya Cup side Strathmore Leos, has been ranked fourth with 44 points, 23 points behind the leader, Filipe Sauturaga.
The youngster has been a force to be reckoned with since making his national team debut during the Africa Men’s 7s cum Olympics qualifiers held in September 2023 in Harare, Zimbabwe.
He scored a hat-trick of tries in Kenya’s opening match against Nigeria, leading the team to a 34-10 victory. His fine form continued when he scored another try as Kenya beat Zambia 38-12 in the final pool match.
He was on the scoresheet again, scoring a try in the semifinal when they defeated Zimbabwe. Since then, he has been a key player for Shujaa, representing them during the Olympics, helping them retain their Safari 7s title, and aiding Kenya's return to the prestigious HSBC World Rugby 7s Series.
Amaitsa made waves in his maiden HSBC 7s appearance. During the Dubai 7s, the talented kicker slotted two conversions when Kenya played against reigning Olympic champions France.
In Cape Town, he managed a conversion against Argentina and a remarkable hat trick that powered Kenya to a seventh-place finish after a win against Great Britain.
He will be looking to extend his fine form as Shujaa faces their opponents during the Perth 7s, slated for Friday, 24 to Sunday, 26 January, in Australia.
Fijian Filipe Sauturaga leads the point-scorers chart with 67 points, followed by New Zealand’s Ngarohi McGarvey-Black, with 50 points.
McGarvey-Black is a versatile backline player with a quick turn of pace and a good eye for the game. He was named Player of the Final in Cape Town 2019 and Hamilton 2020 and was voted Players’ Player of the Year at the NZRPA awards that season. He was part of the side that brought home silver at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
Third on the list is Fijian Joji Nasova with 47 points. Inspired by Fiji’s Olympic triumph in Tokyo 2020, Nasova has risen as a key player, contributing two tries in Fiji’s commanding victory over Uruguay at Stade de France during the Paris 7s.
Fellow countryman Terio Veilawa occupies fourth position on the log with 45 points.
The scrum-half debuted for the Fiji national rugby sevens team during the Singapore 7s in 2018. Known for his fluidity and playmaking abilities, Veilawa has drawn comparisons to the legendary Waisale Serevi. He has an Olympic title under his belt and continues to be a dynamic presence for Fiji.
