The men’s national rugby 7s side, Shujaa, has received a massive shot in the arm ahead of the third outing in the HSBC SVNS Series 2025 set to take place in Perth, Australia from 24-26 January following the return of former co-captains Vincent Onyala and Tony Omondi.
Despite Shujaa taking part in the opening two outings in the 2025 Series that started in November 2024, the highly rated Onyala has not made any appearance for the team since the Paris 2024 Olympics in July 2024 owing to contractual differences with the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU).
Omondi, who also had the same contractual differences, missed the opening outing in Dubai but featured in the Cape Town 7s as a late replacement to Chrisant Ojwang who picked up injury while in Dubai.
The two players have however gotten their issues sorted and will return full time to the squad out to beat relegation at the end of the season.
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The return of the two players will give Shujaa the much-needed experience in a team that contains a majority of players featuring on the top stage for the first time this season.
After two outings, the Kevin Wambua-coached side occupies ninth position in the standings with 11 points following a tenth-place finish in Dubai and seventh-place finish in Cape Town.
Shujaa squad naming
Wambua is expected to name the travelling squad to Australia on Wednesday morning. Aside from Onyala and Omondi, the tricky Brian Tanga could also be in contention after resuming training with the team.
John Okoth is however expected not to make the squad as he continues recovery from a knee surgery.
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Tough Pool
Heading into the third outing in Australia, Shujaa will have to be at their best since they have been grouped in a tough pool that has Fiji, Uruguay and New Zealand.
Pool A has the Cape Town winners South Africa, Australia, the United States of America (USA) and heavyweights Argentina while Ireland, Great Britain, Spain and France will square it out in Pool B.
Kenya 7s fixtures and schedule
Friday 24 January
Shujaa are set to kick start their Perth HSBC SVNS campaign against New Zealand at 6:00 AM East African Time (EAT) on January 24 at the HBF Stadium.
The talented side will then lock horns with pre-match favorites Fiji from exactly 10:59 AM EAT.
The second day of the tournament will see Shujaa battle it out with Uruguay at 7:00 AM EAT.
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