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Kenya Harlequin are hungrier than ever to clinch their first national 7s circuit since 2012.
Kenya Harlequin are confident they can secure this year’s overall SportPesa 7s circuit title if they start their Christie 7s campaign on a high note.
As hosts, Quins have been seeded in Pool C of the division one campaign, taking place on July 27 and 28 at the RFUEA Ground. They aim to improve on their overall fifth-place finish from the 2023 edition, a campaign marked by inconsistency despite reaching the semi-finals and finals twice.
According to assistant captain Wiseman Anganya, the sky is the limit for one of the country’s premier clubs, who will be seeking to clinch a first overall title since 2012.
“As a team, we are looking forward to reaching the knockout stages and then try and get to the finals in order to lift the trophy,” he told Pulse Sports.
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12:07 - 26.07.2024
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Alot of emphasis has been put on video sessions from last year to understand what went wrong for the side, as well as serious work on the training ground under Paul Murunga in order to rectify those mistakes.
“We have had some video sessions to see what went wrong last year, as well as what went right. Thanks to the guidance of our coaches, we have been able to work on those areas we need to brush in order to get our execution right. We have tried to work on our defence and had the right mental attitude to play the game.
“So far, so good. We are aiming to be a team that can win games and continue growing.”
His sentiments were shared by Murunga, who has revealed what the club must do if they are to end that 12-year wait for the title. ‘Pau’ as he is more commonly referred to in local rugby circles, will take a step-by-step approach, with a Christie 7s tournament win the first one.
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02:00 - 25.07.2024
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“Our target is to win Christie 7s to give us a platform to do well in the rest of the circuit. We have to get to the semi-finals and finals and win some of the legs.”
The club has opted to blood in new players following the departure of four to pastures greener in Romania. Malcolm Omusando, Cornelius Mukoro, Ian Njenga, Melvin Theuri have moved to greener pastures, and Anganya believes the club is capable of doing well without them, with the idea being to give more players opportunities.
“We are happy and proud of them. There is room for growth and we are happy that they have gone there and are doing well. We have new guys who are coming in and are doing a good job. The team we have will live up to expectations. We have prepared well.”
At a personal level, Anganya, who has been playing 15s rugby more often, feels more ready for 7s, with the ultimate goal of the tournament being to identify players who can help add quality depth to the side.
“This is the first time I have really prepared to play sevens well. I am confident about how I will play and approach the games. My main goal is to be an excellent player. Get my executions and positioning right and from there, I aim at being the best in the country.”
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12:21 - 25.07.2024
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“It is a work in progress and I hope from Christies moving on, I will improve and become a better player.”
Meanwhile, Murunga namechecked the players fans need to watch out for when the circuit commences this weekend.
“We have our captain Richel Wangila. He is with the (national side) 15s now, alongside Paul Mutsami. It will be upon the national set up to decide whether they will remain with the 15s or they will be taken to the Shujaa set up. That is upon them but they will play sevens for us at club level.
“We have Amon Wamalwa who went with the Morans to South Africa. We have David Mwaura, very explosive and fast. We have our center-cum flyhalf Nyang Leon who played well last season, as well as Wiseman Anganyi. Those are our highest potential players that we are looking forward to.”
Quins will take on last year’s third-placed side Strathmore Leos, Blak Blad and Daystar Falcons.
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