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Wambua backs Shujaa to shine in Uruguay as hunt for promotion continues
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Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 29.02.24. | 17:39
Wambua’s charges who are fresh from the HSBC Challenger Series in Dubai have been placed in Pool A together with Tonga, Georgia, and Portugal
Shujaa head coach Kevin Wambua has backed the team to garner good results in the upcoming World Rugby HSBC Challenger 2024 series slated for March 8-10 in Montevideo, Uruguay.
The Challenger Series is the pathway teams use to qualify for the World Seven Series. The first leg was played in Dubai on January 12-14 and the consecutive legs will be played in Uruguay and Madrid.
Shujaa will be looking to make this leg count, following their qualification to the Paris 2024 Olympics in September 2023. The team will also be keen to return to the HSBC World Rugby 7s Series
Wambua noted that the boys are meticulously sharpening their skills ahead of the challenge in Uruguay.
“So far so good. The boys are working very hard. We are trying to improve every day as far as our systems go; our attacks, and defense. We just trust the process,” Wambua offered.
Wambua’s charges who are fresh from the HSBC Challenger Series in Dubai have been placed in Pool A together with Tonga, Georgia, and Portugal.
They will be looking to pick up from where they left off to extend their winning streak.
They currently hold 20 points, maintaining a two-point lead over Chile.
“It is a bit tricky. We play Tonga which is a physical side, we play Portugal which we have never played before, and we have Georgia which is equally a tricky side. We will stick to our principles, try and top the pool again, get to the semis, and when we are there we can figure out how to win this,” he averred.
Wambua termed the tournament a do-or-die test even as he called for consistency from the team.
“It is massive. This is the second leg. One more leg then we will go to the playoff competition. We just need to make sure that we are consistent. This is the best tournament out of the three,” he offered.
While he anticipates an uphill task, the tactician expressed confidence in Shujaa’s ability to sparkle.
“The objective is to go back to HSBC. The boys are confident. It is not easy but we are up to the task. We know we are capable,” he added.
In Pool B, HSBC Challenger Series-opener finalists Chile will lock horns with Japan, Hong Kong, and Mexico.
The final pool, Pool C, consists of Uruguay, Germany, Uganda, and Papua Guinea.
