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Maik Kwambo and UR7s staff

Kenya Sevens vice-captain, Gibson Weru, believes his side is there to be shot at ahead of this season’s IRB Sevens World Series. Kenya’s Shujaa made it to the last four of the Rugby World Cup Sevens in March and whilst finishing an impressive sixth on the overall Series log.

"We are ready! With a consistent team together, we will definitely raise the bar. What worked for us in the 2008/2009 campaign was consistency. However, raising the bar will be challenging owing to the fact that we are no longer viewed as underdogs on the IRB circuit, everybody from Russia to South Africa wants to claim our scalp. We are one of the teams to beat,” said Weru.

Although Kenya came close to winning their first overall leg in the series, losing out in the final of Adelaide to South Africa, Weru understands how tough it will be to make that big breakthrough.

"Winning the bowl let alone the main cup is never easy! But with the dedicated team we have assembled, it is very possible to for Shujaa to win a leg or two on the IRB Sevens circuit."

The Nakuru utility back also spoke with conviction on the direction he would like Kenyan Rugby to go in the coming years.

"I would like to see Kenya take over the world in sevens rugby. This is very possible and I am sure it will happen. We have a long way to go in the fifteen man game. We have to get our structures and conditioning right. I also hold the view that the Kenya Rugby Football Union (KRFU) has to seek partnerships with the strongest unions in terms of technical aspects of the game."

Kenya’s National Sevens Circuit (NSC) kicks off this weekend at the Kisumu Dala Sevens and Weru feels the success of the national team has given a far greater emphasis towards the event.

"The NSC has helped in development of sevens rugby in Kenya. While I don’t think it previously helped in the spread of the game in the past, the renewed interest in rugby after recent performance by Shujaa team will lead to greater growth of the game, especially when you consider that's its being played in Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru and their environs."

Weru and the rest of the national team’s involvement in the series is set to be limited. This follows coach Ayimba’s request to keep his main players out of action ahead of the start of the IRB Sevens World Series to keep them fresh and ready for action.

Gibson himself represents Rift Valley side Nakuru RFC who host the Prinsloo Sevens on the weekend of Nov 28-29.

"Prinsloo Sevens has grown in leaps and bounds to be the biggest local sevens tournament and it celebrates its third anniversary this year.

“The tourney is a source of revenue to the club. Revenue collected from Prinsloo and the Great Rift Tens is used in development programmes run by Nakuru RFC of Rugby. Two of our ongoing programs are the mini rugby program as well as a secondary schools league that is solely funded by the club."

Speaking about his side's chances, Weru said,"Prinsloo Sevens is huge, it has 24 points up for grabs! Every team wants to win this tourney. All I can say is that we have a good team that's capable of winning this title."
Weru also feels his passion for the game could see him take up a coaching post when his playing career finishes, with the allure of Olympic Rugby obvious.

“I would like to play for as long I can, but I don't think I will be in the team as a player though it would be a blessing to still be playing five years down the line. I will probably have found my way into coaching at some point. I would like to share my knowledge and experience with all and sundry as I embark on a mission spread the game across country."