Kenya’s national men’s rugby team Shujaa get down into action this morning as the fifth leg of the World sevens series kicks-off in Hong Kong at the Kai Tai stadium.

Shujaa has been lined-up for tough openers against Vancouver sevens bronze medallists Spain from 6.39am Kenyan time, followed by a match against Great Britain at 9.23am local time.

The Kenya 7s will later decide their playoffs fate by wrapping up their pool games against France on Saturday at 5.16am in a tough tournament that could make or break their world series points conquest currently placed 9th on the log with 15points which is just six from relegation zone currently hosting USA and Ireland.

Coach Kevin Wambua’s side was rudely shocked by rivals in the previous leg in Vancouver where Kenya was on the receiving end for five fixtures in a row to give way for their standings rivals to play catch up and 10th placed Uruguay crawled up to tie with Shujaa on 15 points. 

Vancouver 7s turned out to be Kenya’s worst performance in the series marred by costly handling errors against the world’s best and in response the tactical team made one change that saw KCB’s backline utility player Festus Shiasi coming in for Jackson Siketa.

Shujaa squad will be led by co-captains George Ooro and Samuel Asati who will be tasked to deliver positive results against formidable sides with the help of a blend of experienced players and upcoming players led by playmaker Jone Kubu who was lethal for Kenya’s attack in the absence of winger Patrick Odongo who had suffered an unprecedented knock but is part of the squad for the weekend’s job.

The team missed the services of speedster Patrick Odongo in the final two days of Vancouver sevens due to an injury but turned out to be a reprieve for the backline after the winger was cleared to participate in the next legs in Hong Kong and Singapore sevens where Kenya could redeem selves by making a cup quarterfinal appearance against tough rivals at a difficult point with a serious need for points.

Among the players capable of bringing impact on the squad hunting for vengeance against pool rivals who defeated them in their previous meetings include captain George Ooro, former skipper Vincent Onyala, Kevin Wekesa, Brian Tanga, Tony Omondi, Jone Kubu and Patrick Odongo.

Shujaa has met Spain once this season and it was the latter who bagged the win off a 14-7 win prompting Kenya to go for a vengeance win in their kick off game against a side that has had three out of four podium finish while Great Britain and 5th placed France both made quarterfinals appearances only to lose to Fiji and Argentina respectively.

As the Hong Kong 7s shifts from the Hong Kong stadium to Kai Taki after 30 years, Leaders Argentina boast arguably the most formidable, settled squad. From megawatt stars, Marcos Moneta (14 tries so far this season) and Luciano Gonzalez (13 and counting) to big name stalwarts Santiago Alvarez and German Schulz, Los Pumas seem poised to claim a third title in a row after their dominance in Perth 7s and Vancouver 7s.

Without doubt Spain is the most improved team of the season and is currently placed second on the log with 64 points, just four behind Argentina. The SPanish side finished the Hong Kong 7s placed 8th last season while battling relegation scare through the HSBC sevens playoffs whilst failing to qualify for the Olympics.