Shujaa start S. Africa leg with Samoa tie with eyes on better performance
Kenya begin their Cape Town Sevens tour with a tough match against Samoa at 5.59pm this evening in the second round of the World Rugby Sevens Series at Green Point Stadium.
Shujaa are in a difficult Pool D that has Samoa, semi-finalists in Dubai last week, Australia, who reached the quarter-finals and Ireland and will have to be at their best to record an improved performance from the 13th place they managed in the opening round.
Kenya managed only four points in Dubai but are hopeful of a better performance in South Africa with head coach Paul Feeney believing they can match anyone only if they correct a few errors.
“Our opponents had some heavy line in attack, a speed which we need to adapt to in order to match them.
We need to also attack wide by running the ball and I know we can play to the width and make right decisions,” said Feeney in reference to their performance in Dubai.
“Unlike many coaches in the Series who have had over three years with their teams, I am new here hence I need to find out everyone’s capability so as to produce the best in them,” added Feeney, who has been with the team for 11 weeks.
Shujaa scored 20 tries in Cape Town, their highest in any leg last season, and also became the first team to beat South Africa in their own tournament.
They will need to do more this time around and after their Pool D opponents had different results in Dubai, Feeney had an opportunity to see how to exploit their weaknesses.
Samoa collected 15 points after reaching the semi-finals in Dubai where they lost to England in the third place playoff and also beat Australia 19-14 in the cup quarters en route to the last four.
Australia, meanwhile, will once again face Ireland whom they beat 45-21 in their group in Dubai. After Samoa, Kenya play two pool matches tomorrow, a 11.57am meeting against Australia before facing Ireland at 5.47pm.
