McGrath hopeful Shujaa can avoid relegation

Kenya Sevens head coach Damian McGrath is confident his side can avoid relegation ahead of the Los Angeles tour scheduled for this weekend.



According to McGrath, the youthful Shujaa side will fight with everything they got to ensure that Kenya remains in the World Rugby Series in the coming season.



Speaking ahead of the Los Angeles Sevens, McGrath is hopeful his boys will record positive results that will enable him to gain valuable points in this leg in their quest to avoid the relegation zone.



“We shall be up against some formidable teams that have showcased memorable performances, and they’re looking to prepare themselves and give themselves the best opportunity of winning, however, we’re going to fight and try and make sure that we can secure valuable points to help us in our ultimate game of remaining on the World Series,” McGrath noted.



In the same breath, Shujaa captain Nelson Oyoo opined with the tactician’s sentiments adding he knows what is expected of them, and they’re keen to avoid a relegation dogfight ahead of the Los Angeles Sevens set for this weekend.



“If we can manage a quarter-final placing in the Los Angeles tour and upcoming tours, then we can avoid the relegation zone, and with the hard work we have put in place I am confident of a good performance from the team,” Oyoo said.



Shujaa head to the American outing one place above the relegation zone as they are placed 12th having accumulated 21 points, three above Spain who are also facing the relegation axe.



McGrath has made four changes ahead of the Los Angeles and Vancouver legs of the 2023 World Rugby Sevens series.



Strathmore Leos utility Brunson Madigu will debut for the national team in the upcoming legs with McGrath saying the inclusion of Madigu will be a great opportunity for the lad to taste the world rugby series.



“Madigu has been outstanding in the local circuit…has so much talent and has trained so well, so we’ve decided it would be a great opportunity for him to taste some world series action,” McGrath said.



McGrath at the same time will be buoyed by the return of Mwamba duo Billy Odhiambo and Daniel Taabu who makes a comeback after missing out on the tour of New Zealand and Australia respectively.



Commenting on the return of the two experienced players, McGrath welcomed the two adding they bring a wealth of experience needed to be given the exit of the legendary Collins Injera and Willy Ambaka who called time on their glittering careers.



Shujaa who have been pooled in Pool C for the sixth round of the HSBC series are set to tackle two-time Olympics winners Fiji, HSBC World series defending champions Australia and fast-rising Japan.



According to the HSBC sevens series organisers only 12 teams will be retained for the new season while the 15th-ranked team will be relegated at the penultimate leg in Toulouse, France.



The 12th, 13th, and 14th placed teams will engage in a Challenger in the 11th and final leg in London with the winner staying for the new season.