Kenya national rugby union team (sevens)
Encyclopedia
The Kenya
national rugby union sevens team compete in the IRB Sevens World Series
and Rugby World Cup Sevens
. They are currently one of the 12 "core teams" of the IRB Sevens, with a guaranteed place in all eight events each season.
They are also hosts at the annual Safari Sevens
which have been held at the RFUEA Ground
in Nairobi
every year since 1996.
Kenya have sometimes mistakenly been referred to as Shujaa by the international press; in fact Shujaa are the Kenya sevens 'A' (or second) team. Shujaa is a Swahili
word (also used as a boys' name) meaning courage, confidence, bravery, prowess or heroism.
finals in Argentina
perhaps signified the start of Kenyan rugby's presence in world class sevens tournaments, they went on to beat overwhelming favourites France
in the competition 12-7. At the 2002 Commonwealth Games
, Kenya beat Samoa
28-20 and almost defeated England
. During the 2003 IRB Sevens circuit Kenya beat Wales
19-0 in the South African leg of the tournament and Australia 15-12 in Hong Kong.
The upswelling of support for the team at home resulted in rugby sevens being admitted as a formal sport in Kenyan secondary schools in 2004. Kenya then qualified for their second World Cup Sevens finals held 2005
in Hong Kong
.
Kenya came third in their pool and went on to win the bowl upsetting Tonga
26-12 in the final. In the 2007 Wellington Sevens
in New Zealand
, Kenya came in their pool, beating such rugby giants as Argentina
and Tonga
, before being narrowly defeated in the quarter-finals by Samoa
. At the 2007 South Africa Sevens
Kenya beat Zimbabwe
and England
in the pool stages and advanced to win the Plate competition defeating fellow surprise package the USA 15-14.
, eventually going down to Argentina
. In that year's IRB Sevens World Series, Kenya reached a main Cup final for the first time at the 2009 Adelaide Sevens
, beating South Africa
, New Zealand
and Fiji
to get there. They lost to South Africa
in the Final; the first time a final featured all-African sides. Additionally, at the end of that series Collins Injera
was top try-scorer for the season with 42 (South Africa’s Ryno Benjamin and Argentina’s all time leading try scorer in Sevens, Santiago Gomez Cora
, shared second place with 28 tries each). Injera also came second as the best points scorer for the season (210 points) behind Ben Gollings
of England
(260 points).
- Australia Leg
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
national rugby union sevens team compete in the IRB Sevens World Series
IRB Sevens World Series
The IRB Sevens World Series, known officially as the HSBC Sevens World Series as of the 2010-11 season, through sponsorship from banking group HSBC, and also sometimes called the World Sevens Series, is a series of international rugby union sevens tournaments organised for the first time in the...
and Rugby World Cup Sevens
Rugby World Cup Sevens
The Rugby World Cup Sevens is the premier international Rugby sevens competition. The event is organised by the sport's governing body, the International Rugby Board , and is contested by the men's national sevens teams every four years. The inaugural tournament was held in 1993 in Scotland, the...
. They are currently one of the 12 "core teams" of the IRB Sevens, with a guaranteed place in all eight events each season.
They are also hosts at the annual Safari Sevens
Safari Sevens
The Safari Sevens, known as the Safaricom Sevens after main sponsors Safaricom is an annual rugby sevens tournament held in Kenya. The tournament is run by the Kenya Rugby Football Union...
which have been held at the RFUEA Ground
RFUEA Ground
The RFUEA Ground is a rugby union stadium located on the Ngong Road in Nairobi, Kenya. It was purpose built to be the home of the national team and to serve as the headquarters of the Rugby Football Union of Kenya...
in Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
every year since 1996.
Kenya have sometimes mistakenly been referred to as Shujaa by the international press; in fact Shujaa are the Kenya sevens 'A' (or second) team. Shujaa is a Swahili
Swahili language
Swahili or Kiswahili is a Bantu language spoken by various ethnic groups that inhabit several large stretches of the Mozambique Channel coastline from northern Kenya to northern Mozambique, including the Comoro Islands. It is also spoken by ethnic minority groups in Somalia...
word (also used as a boys' name) meaning courage, confidence, bravery, prowess or heroism.
2001 to 2004
Qualifying for the 2001 World Cup2001 Rugby World Cup Sevens
The 2001 Rugby World Cup Sevens or the Melrose Cup was the 3rd edition of the tournament and held in Argentina. New Zealand defeated Australia to win the tournament for the first time. This was the first major rugby event ever held in South America....
finals in Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
perhaps signified the start of Kenyan rugby's presence in world class sevens tournaments, they went on to beat overwhelming favourites France
France national rugby union team (sevens)
The France national rugby union sevens team compete in the World Sevens Series, Rugby World Cup Sevens.-Current squad:2011–12 IRB Sevens World Series squad :*Vincent Deniau*Jean Baptiste Mazoue*Terry Bouhraoua...
in the competition 12-7. At the 2002 Commonwealth Games
2002 Commonwealth Games
The 2002 Commonwealth Games were held in Manchester, England from 25 July to 4 August 2002. The XVII Commonwealth Games was the largest multi-sport event ever to be held in the UK, eclipsing London's 1948 Summer Olympics in numbers of teams and athletes participating.After the 1996 Manchester...
, Kenya beat Samoa
Samoa national rugby union team (sevens)
The Samoa national rugby union team represent Samoa internationally in rugby sevens, a competitive sports tournament titled the IRB Sevens World Series which takes place annually in seven countries; United Arab Emirates, South Africa, New Zealand, United States, Hong Kong, Australia, England and...
28-20 and almost defeated England
England national rugby union team (sevens)
The English national rugby union sevens team compete in the World Sevens Series, Rugby World Cup Sevens and the Commonwealth Games.-Honours:* 1973 International Seven-A-Side Tournament - Winners* Rugby World Cup Sevens Winners 1993* Hong Kong Sevens Winners 2002* Hong Kong Sevens Winners 2003*...
. During the 2003 IRB Sevens circuit Kenya beat Wales
Wales national rugby union team (sevens)
The Wales national rugby union sevens team is the international rugby sevens side for Welsh rugby union players. They currently compete in the IRB Sevens World Series, the Rugby World Cup Sevens and in the Commonwealth Games....
19-0 in the South African leg of the tournament and Australia 15-12 in Hong Kong.
The upswelling of support for the team at home resulted in rugby sevens being admitted as a formal sport in Kenyan secondary schools in 2004. Kenya then qualified for their second World Cup Sevens finals held 2005
2005 Rugby World Cup Sevens
-The winning team::Fiji national rugby sevens team*Waisale Serevi*Sireli Bobo*Vilimoni Delasau*William Ryder*Marika Vunibaka*Semisi Naevo*Nasoni Roko*Ifereimi Rawaqa*Jone Daunivucu*Lepani Nabuliwaqa*Norman Ligairi*Viliame Satala*Apolosi Satala...
in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
.
2005 to 2008
They defeated Australia for a second time, winning 26-7 in the London Sevens 2006, and went on to reach the Final of the Plate competition. In the 2006 Commonwealth GamesRugby Sevens at the 2006 Commonwealth Games
The 2006 Commonwealth Games were the third Games at which Rugby sevens was played. It is one of the male-only sports at the Commonwealth Games, the other being Boxing. The venue for the Rugby Sevens was the Telstra Dome, on the western edge of Melbourne's Central Business District...
Kenya came third in their pool and went on to win the bowl upsetting Tonga
Tonga national rugby union team (sevens)
The Tonga national rugby union team represent Tonga in rugby sevens. The team competes in the IRB World Sevens Series.-2008/09 IRB Sevens:Tonga have only participated in one round of the current IRB Sevens Series so far...
26-12 in the final. In the 2007 Wellington Sevens
2007 Wellington Sevens
The Wellington Sevens, also known as the New Zealand Sevens or for sponsorship reasons the NZI Sevens, is played annually as part of the IRB Sevens World Series for international rugby sevens...
in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, Kenya came in their pool, beating such rugby giants as Argentina
Argentina national rugby union team (sevens)
The Argentina national rugby union sevens team compete in the World Sevens Series, Rugby World Cup Sevens.-Current squad:A 12-man squad for the 2010–11 IRB Sevens World Series:#Santiago Bottini#Francisco Cuneo#Gonzalo Gutierrez Taboada#Francisco Merello...
and Tonga
Tonga national rugby union team (sevens)
The Tonga national rugby union team represent Tonga in rugby sevens. The team competes in the IRB World Sevens Series.-2008/09 IRB Sevens:Tonga have only participated in one round of the current IRB Sevens Series so far...
, before being narrowly defeated in the quarter-finals by Samoa
Samoa national rugby union team (sevens)
The Samoa national rugby union team represent Samoa internationally in rugby sevens, a competitive sports tournament titled the IRB Sevens World Series which takes place annually in seven countries; United Arab Emirates, South Africa, New Zealand, United States, Hong Kong, Australia, England and...
. At the 2007 South Africa Sevens
2007 South Africa Sevens
The Emirates Airlines South Africa Sevens is played annually as part of the IRB Sevens World Series for international rugby sevens...
Kenya beat Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe national rugby union team (sevens)
The Zimbabwe Cheetahs represent Zimbabwe in rugby sevens, a seven a side version of rugby union. Zimbabwe compete in both domestic and international competitions. Zimbabwe compete in IRB Sevens World Series events such as the George and Dubai Sevens...
and England
England national rugby union team (sevens)
The English national rugby union sevens team compete in the World Sevens Series, Rugby World Cup Sevens and the Commonwealth Games.-Honours:* 1973 International Seven-A-Side Tournament - Winners* Rugby World Cup Sevens Winners 1993* Hong Kong Sevens Winners 2002* Hong Kong Sevens Winners 2003*...
in the pool stages and advanced to win the Plate competition defeating fellow surprise package the USA 15-14.
2009
Kenya reached the semifinals at the 2009 Rugby World Cup Sevens2009 Rugby World Cup Sevens
The 2009 Rugby Sevens World Cup was the fifth edition of the Rugby sevens world cup. The International Rugby Board selected Dubai in the United Arab Emirates as the host venue for the tournament ahead of bids from four other countries. The format included nine direct qualifiers and a further...
, eventually going down to Argentina
Argentina national rugby union team (sevens)
The Argentina national rugby union sevens team compete in the World Sevens Series, Rugby World Cup Sevens.-Current squad:A 12-man squad for the 2010–11 IRB Sevens World Series:#Santiago Bottini#Francisco Cuneo#Gonzalo Gutierrez Taboada#Francisco Merello...
. In that year's IRB Sevens World Series, Kenya reached a main Cup final for the first time at the 2009 Adelaide Sevens
2009 Adelaide Sevens
The Adelaide Sevens, is played annually as part of the IRB Sevens World Series for international rugby sevens...
, beating South Africa
South Africa national rugby union team (sevens)
The South African national rugby union sevens team compete in the World Sevens Series, the Rugby World Cup Sevens and the Commonwealth Games.-Current squad:2011–12 IRB Sevens World Series 14-man squad :#Cecil Afrika...
, New Zealand
New Zealand national rugby union team (sevens)
The New Zealand national rugby union sevens team is the New Zealand representative team in rugby union sevens and competes in the IRB Sevens World Series, Rugby World Cup Sevens and the Commonwealth Games.-IRB Sevens:...
and Fiji
Fiji national rugby union team (sevens)
The Fiji Sevens side is one of the most popular and successful Sevens teams in the world and has won the Hong Kong Sevens a record nine times since its inception in 1976. Fiji has also won the Sevens World Cup twice, winning that event in 1997 and 2005...
to get there. They lost to South Africa
South Africa national rugby union team (sevens)
The South African national rugby union sevens team compete in the World Sevens Series, the Rugby World Cup Sevens and the Commonwealth Games.-Current squad:2011–12 IRB Sevens World Series 14-man squad :#Cecil Afrika...
in the Final; the first time a final featured all-African sides. Additionally, at the end of that series Collins Injera
Collins Injera
Collins Injera is a rugby player from Kenya. He is known for his achievements with Kenyan national rugby sevens team.- Career :...
was top try-scorer for the season with 42 (South Africa’s Ryno Benjamin and Argentina’s all time leading try scorer in Sevens, Santiago Gomez Cora
Santiago Gomez Cora
Santiago Gómez Cora is a rugby union sevens player for Argentina . As of June 2008, he holds the all-time record for number of tries scored on the IRB Sevens World Series circuit with 230 tries. Gomez Cora is now a full-back for the Pumas. In March 2008 it was confirmed he would move to Welsh club...
, shared second place with 28 tries each). Injera also came second as the best points scorer for the season (210 points) behind Ben Gollings
Ben Gollings
Ben Gollings is a rugby union footballer who plays fly-half for Rugby Lions and formerly for England Sevens.-Career:...
of England
England national rugby union team (sevens)
The English national rugby union sevens team compete in the World Sevens Series, Rugby World Cup Sevens and the Commonwealth Games.-Honours:* 1973 International Seven-A-Side Tournament - Winners* Rugby World Cup Sevens Winners 1993* Hong Kong Sevens Winners 2002* Hong Kong Sevens Winners 2003*...
(260 points).
Honours
- Winners of the Plate competition at the 2007 South Africa Sevens2007 South Africa SevensThe Emirates Airlines South Africa Sevens is played annually as part of the IRB Sevens World Series for international rugby sevens...
.
- Won the Team of the Year category for men at the Kenyan Sports Personality of the YearKenyan Sports Personality of the YearKenyan Sport Personality of the Year Awards, also known as SOYA Awards, are annual national awards given for sports personalities and organisations in Kenya. The awards were initiated in 2004 by Paul Tergat. The awards for each year are held at the beginning of the next year Kenyan Sport...
awards:- 2004,
- 2007,
- 2008,
- 2009.
- Safari SevensSafari SevensThe Safari Sevens, known as the Safaricom Sevens after main sponsors Safaricom is an annual rugby sevens tournament held in Kenya. The tournament is run by the Kenya Rugby Football Union...
winners- 1997 versus CumbriaCumbriaCumbria , is a non-metropolitan county in North West England. The county and Cumbria County Council, its local authority, came into existence in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972. Cumbria's largest settlement and county town is Carlisle. It consists of six districts, and in...
Schoolboys 24-27, - 2000 Kenya 'A' (Shujaa) won, defeating Bristol University RFC, 26-24
- 2003 versus Emerging SpringboksEmerging SpringboksThe Emerging Springboks are the second national rugby union team in South africa after the national side. They compete every year in the Nations Cup alongside the full national teams of Namibia, Romania and Georgia as well as Argentina Jaguars and Italy A. Now and again they also play touring sides...
29-7, - 2004 versus Emerging SpringboksEmerging SpringboksThe Emerging Springboks are the second national rugby union team in South africa after the national side. They compete every year in the Nations Cup alongside the full national teams of Namibia, Romania and Georgia as well as Argentina Jaguars and Italy A. Now and again they also play touring sides...
10-7, - 2008 versus ZimbabweZimbabwe national rugby union team (sevens)The Zimbabwe Cheetahs represent Zimbabwe in rugby sevens, a seven a side version of rugby union. Zimbabwe compete in both domestic and international competitions. Zimbabwe compete in IRB Sevens World Series events such as the George and Dubai Sevens...
35-12, - 2009 versus Emerging SpringboksEmerging SpringboksThe Emerging Springboks are the second national rugby union team in South africa after the national side. They compete every year in the Nations Cup alongside the full national teams of Namibia, Romania and Georgia as well as Argentina Jaguars and Italy A. Now and again they also play touring sides...
40-19, - 2010 versus Emerging SpringboksEmerging SpringboksThe Emerging Springboks are the second national rugby union team in South africa after the national side. They compete every year in the Nations Cup alongside the full national teams of Namibia, Romania and Georgia as well as Argentina Jaguars and Italy A. Now and again they also play touring sides...
17-12.
- 1997 versus Cumbria
Current squad
12 Men squad to 2011–12 IRB Sevens World Series2011–12 IRB Sevens World Series
The 2011–12 IRB Sevens World Series, known for sponsorship reasons as the HSBC Sevens World Series, will be the 13th annual series of rugby union sevens tournaments for full national sides run by the International Rugby Board since 1999–2000....
- Australia Leg
2011 Gold Coast Sevens
The 2011 Gold Coast Sevens was the first edition of the tournament which was known as the Adelaide Sevens the last years. It was held at Robina, Australia, the host stadium was the Robina Stadium....
- Sidney Ashioya
- Patrice Agunda
- Andrew Amonde
- Michael Agevi
- Oscar Ouma
- Willy Ambaka Ndayara
- Charles Kanyi
- Horace Otieno
- Kennedy Moseti
- Christopher Asego
- Tony Opondo
- Dennis Ombachi
See also
- IRB Sevens World SeriesIRB Sevens World SeriesThe IRB Sevens World Series, known officially as the HSBC Sevens World Series as of the 2010-11 season, through sponsorship from banking group HSBC, and also sometimes called the World Sevens Series, is a series of international rugby union sevens tournaments organised for the first time in the...
- Rugby World Cup SevensRugby World Cup SevensThe Rugby World Cup Sevens is the premier international Rugby sevens competition. The event is organised by the sport's governing body, the International Rugby Board , and is contested by the men's national sevens teams every four years. The inaugural tournament was held in 1993 in Scotland, the...
- Kenya national rugby union teamKenya national rugby union teamThe Kenya national rugby union team is the Kenyan national team in Rugby. it is controlled by the Kenya Rugby Football Union.The team participates Confederation of African Rugby tournaments, but has never qualified for the Rugby World Cup....
- Kenya Sevens