Teams Named for Safari Sevens

The two sides, Kenya and Shujaa have been named for this year's Safari Sevens. You can see the squads here. For once the organisers seem to have listened to the management of the teams, a real change. In the past few years, the Safari Sevens event has been held barely a week after the last leg of the IRB Circuit. Apparently (from non-rugby players of course), the idea was to attempt to attract teams that participated in this event to finish off with a trip to Kenya. As good an idea as it sounded (on paper), it emerged that the teams were actually exhausted from two rounds of sevens and thus fatigued and opted out. Our own players were in the same state and not really able to perform at their best, many forced to play with injuries. This year the tournament is an entire two weeks after the last leg. The players have taken an enforced rest period and should be fully fresh and rejuvenated. And the tournament being at home, virtually all the players are available, save for the injured and the few not in the country.

The two sides go to show the wealth of talent that is in the country and the inclusion of several new players can only assist to build the depth that is much needed. And say what you may, this is also a pseudo trial for the World Cup Qualifiers in October. That the players usually save their best performances for home is well known and the electric atmosphere of the RFUEA ground only serves to push the players more.

I wish both sides well as they go into the tournament.

For more information on the Safari Sevens you can visit www.safarisevens.com and www.kenyarfu.com.