NAIROBI, Kenya, October 11 – Kenya national sevens captain Andrew Amonde says his side is looking to better last year’s fifth place finish as the opening 2013/14 HSBC Sevens World Series showdown, Gold Coast 7s kicks-off this weekend in Australia.
“We learnt some lessons from last season that we shall take into the new campaign, Commitment, sacrifice and hard work is something the boys have adapted and we are hopeful we will be able to carry on to the next level.
“Our biggest aim is to better last season’s showing,” the Kenya Captain said before they left for the series.
Interim Kenya coach Felix Ochieng has depth in Oscar Ouma and Collins Injera but will miss France-based Willie Ambaka and Dennis Ombachi, who were unavailable.
With winger Daniel Sikuta the only debutant in the squad, Ochieng faces a difficult task ahead to continue where Mike Friday Left before he tendered his resignation after the Rugby World Cup Sevens in July.
“It is important to note that the series is a journey that starts with one step.
“The goal and objective is to ensure we are in it for the long run, consistently collecting points and looking for that elusive cup win.
“We are fully aware that despite last year’s performance, teams will be raising their game against us and that is the pressure that comes with Kenya Sevens,” said the interim coach after naming his squad for Gold Coast.
Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) chairman Mwangi Muthee expressed confidence in the technical bench and players, assuring rugby enthusiast that the trophy will one day come to Kenya.
“The boys are up to the task, and I have faith in them because they are under a very experienced technical bench.
“We are going to Gold Coast for the win nothing less, and I am sure one day the trophy will come here in the country” the KRU boss said before the team left for Australia.
Kenya who are in pool A, begin their campaign with a match against regional qualifiers Tonga at 3:52am before they take on USA at 6:58am, then at 11:40am wind up their group fixtures with a tie against defending champions New Zealand.