- The 2025 HSBC Vancouver SVNS tournament will take place between February 21 and February 23 in Canada at the BC Place.
- Shujaa has been grouped in Pool D alongside Great Britain, Argentina and France.
- Wambua has described Kubu as an all-round player who will improve the team.
Shujaa head coach Kevin Wambua has given Fijian born player Jone Kubu his first national team call up ahead of the upcoming 2025 HSBC Vancouver SVNS.
Besides the Kabras Sugar RFC play maker, Wambua also gave talented teenager Jackson Siketi his Shujaa maiden call up.
The new additions will try to help Shujaa register excellent performances in the event that is scheduled to take place in Canada between February 21 and February 23 as they chase their target of finishing inside the top eight positions by the end of the season.
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All-round player
According to Wambua, Kubu will bring a lot of qualities to the team that can help them avoid losing matches in the final stages.
“John Kubu is a very intelligent player. He has a lot to our attacking framework in terms of what he can bring to the table. His one versus one is excellent, his kicking is good.
So, if you look at the last tournament, we lost the games in the last two or three minutes, now we have somebody who can bring in and who can make things happen on that pitch in that time,” Wambua was quoted by Eric Njiiru.
The experienced tactician further added that they wanted to introduce Kubu to the team as early as 2023 but that was not possible because of injuries and personal reasons.
“So, for us, we are happy for him, finally making the squad. He has been part of us, he has been on and off.
This time round we had a scare that was going to be injured but Lameck did some good work with him on the sidelines and we are just happy to incorporate him to the team because we know what he can bring to the team,” he divulged.
Mixed emotions
On his part, an excited Kubu appreciated being given a chance to play for his adopted nation in one of the biggest stages in world rugby.
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He also disclosed that if they get a chance to play against his native country Fiji in Vancouver, it will be a memorable tournament.
“First of all, I am grateful and thankful for the opportunity given to me to represent Kenya in the shorter version of the game. And also kind of actually feeling mixed emotions right now. This is for some personal reasons.
I first came to Kenya in 2014 with Samurai and then officially joined Kabras in 2015 for the Kenya Cup. Never in my wildest dreams, have I ever thought, sort of coming to represent Kenya. I just thought that was going to come play rugby, help out in some way. Like I have said, I am grateful. I thank God for blessing me with this beautiful talent,” ended Kubu.
Shujaa has been grouped in Pool A alongside France, Great Britain and Argentina in the tournament that will be held at the BC Place.
Shujaa’s Squad to 2025 Vancouver 7s
Kevin Wekesa
George Ooro (Co-captain)
Vincent Onyala
Antony Omondi
William Mwanji
Brian Tanga
Jone Kubu
Patrick Odongo
Nygel Amaitsa
Denis Abukuse
Samuel Asati (Co-captain)
Jackson Siteti
Floyd Wabwire
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