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Kenya began their 2010/2011 HSBC Sevens World Series on a shaky note, rallying from 0-14 to beat the Arabian Gulf 31-19 in the opening pool game and it didn't really get any better from there across the fortnight.

Subsequent losses to Wales and Samoa saw Benjamin Ayimba's charges relegated to the Dubai Sevens Bowl where victory would have seen them at least garner two series points. A 0-43 loss to Argentina ended Kenyan interest as they tumbled to the consolation Shield where they beat France 26-0 in the final.

Heading to South Africa for the second leg in George, Ayimba called up Innocent Simiyu to replace Peter Ocholla. Though this was a change supported by many, it made little difference on the field with Kenya losing all their matches on day one and falling into the Bowl for the 2nd week in a row. Day 2 was much of the same with a narrow 5-7 loss to Portugal resulting in a return to the Shield for a second successive tournament. In the semi-final they would blow away Nambia 41-0 in the semis but fell to continental rivals Zimbabwe in the final.

With six more rounds of the HSBC Sevens World Series in store and with Kenya out of the points, the team has a lot of ground to make up after their worst start in years.It is important to note the team had picked up 22 points at the same stage last year. A couple of reasons have been tabled for the team's slow start to the season, key amongst them the fact that several key players of note we missing; Collins Injera, Lavin Asego, Sidney Ashioya and Biko Adema were absentdue to work and academic commitments while Gray Cullen was injured.

It has been argued that these players were replaced by players of little experience at this level but when we look at the team, we realise that the likes of Edwin Shimenga, Andrew Amonde, Wilson K'Opondo to name but a few have been in the national team set up for close to three years. The performances of these experienced players did not meet the standards that have been set by the 'shujaa' in past seasons which has seen Kenya challenging for cup honours.

The only 'young blood' injected into the team was in the form of 20 year old Patrice Agunda and 19 year old David Ambunya, who form the dynamic midfield duo at Kenya Harlequin FC, one of Kenya's leading clubs.

Giving these exciting young players a chance is important and no blame should be placed on these young shoulders. Kenya looked jaded and lost for ideas at times, with only Kayange looking like what we have come to expect. They capitulated easily uunder any form of pressure. While acknowledging the fact that all great teams go through cycles of dominance and decline, the Kenyan technical bench will need to plug the gaping holes in defence and glaring tactical errors if the side is to remain relevant and competitive in the HSBC Sevens World Series this season.

It would be sad to see Kenya's rugby sevens side consigned to rugby irrelevance after so much excitement from all corners of the world in reference to Kenya 7s in recent times. For this to happen, changes are needed ahead of Wellington and Las Vegas, not least the inclusion of the missing players from rounds 1 and 2.