NAIROBI, Kenya, March 11 – Kenya sevens coach Benjamin Ayimba has signaled his side’s intent for the next two International Rugby Board (IRB) Sevens Series by recalling Dennis Mwanja and Victor Sudi into the team.The inclusion of both veterans provides the team with bruising physical presence, an area which Kenya came up short in Wellington and Las Vegas.
“Dennis has the hunger to be where he was previously and I think he will perform really well,” said Ayimba when he named the team on Thursday.
“We have been monitoring his form throughout the Kenya Cup and he’s been given a clean bill of health so we’re confident that he will perform,” added the former Kenya captain.
Ayimba has also called up new Kenya Harlequins sensation Dennis Muhanji into the 13 strong squad but there is no place for veteran forward Victor Oduor.
“Player form determines which team is named. He’s (Oduor) been good but the coaches we the coaching staff had different views of how we want to approach the next two legs. The other reason being that he has two exams during the same period,” he added.
Ayimba gave Muhanji a rave review stating that his inclusion was part of developing new players.
“Muhanji is a promising player. I believe his the next big name in Kenyan rugby and naming him in the side is part of the programme we have towards the 2016 Olympics,” said Ayimba.
Kenya deoart for Adelaide on Saturday night where they face Fiji, world champions Wales and Papua New Guinea, teams they have not faced so far this season while in Hong Kong they take on defending series champions South Africa, Zimbabwe and Korea.
“Fiji are on top of their game, while Papua New Guinea are an improving side,” said Ayimba.
“We expect our pools to be tough due to our position in the standings. We hope to improve on that so that we can have easy pools towards the end,” he added.
Squad: Humphrey Kayange, Allan Onyango, Victor Sudi, Sidney Ashioya, dennis Muhanji, Lavin Asego, Collins Injera, Horace Otieno, Brian Nyikuli, Innocent Simiyu, Dennis Mwanja, Gibson Weru, Biko Adema
