The Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) has announced the national sevens teams set to compete in the HSBC Challenger 2024 second round scheduled for March 8-10 in Montevideo, Uruguay.
Head coach Kevin ‘Bling’ Wambua has introduced five changes to the Shujaa squad, following their cup final triumph in the opening round held in Dubai last January.
Returning to the team are Dennis Abukuse and Ben Salem, while Lamec Ambetsa, Chrisant Ojwang, and Elvis Olukusi are poised for their debut appearances in South America.
However, prolific winger Patrick Odongo, who excelled with 11 tries in Dubai, will be absent due to injury sustained during Daystar Falcons’ KRU Championship victory against Kabarak University three weeks ago.
Additionally, fly half Brian Tanga is recuperating from illness, while Festus Shiasi, William Mwanji, and Brian Mutugi are not part of the traveling contingent.
Janet Okello, based in Japan, rejoins the women’s team, the Lionesses, after missing the opening leg in Dubai. She replaces Diana Kemunto, marking the sole change to the side that secured second place in Dubai.
The Challenger standings currently see Kenya men and China women at the top following their triumphs in Dubai.
In the women’s competition, China is slated to compete against Poland, Czechia, and Paraguay in Pool A. Meanwhile, the Lionesses, Dubai’s runners-up, will face Belgium, Papua New Guinea, and Hong Kong China in Pool B. Pool C features Argentina, bronze medalists in Dubai, squaring off against Uganda, Thailand, and Mexico.
For the men, Shujaa, the current leaders, are grouped with 2023 Challenger champions Tonga, as well as Georgia and Portugal in Pool A. Pool B includes Chile, the runners-up from Dubai, alongside Olympic qualifiers Japan, and Hong Kong China and Mexico.
Pool C presents a fierce challenge for Dubai bronze medalists Uruguay, set to compete against Germany, Uganda, and Papua New Guinea, all of whom will also participate in the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
The Challenger competition serves as a crucial pathway to the HSBC SVNS in 2025. The top four men’s and women’s teams from the 2024 Challenger, based on cumulative series points at the end of the third round, will secure their spots in the high-stakes relegation playoff competition at the SVNS Grand Final in Madrid on May 31 – June 2, 2024, against the teams ranked ninth to 12th from HSBC SVNS 2024.
Four successful nations from this Grand Final playoff will secure their berths in HSBC SVNS 2025, while the remaining four teams will compete in their respective regional qualification tournaments for the opportunity to participate in the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger 2025.
Source: KRU and World Rugby.
