Africa-Press – Kenya. Kenya sevens head coach Innocent Simiyu has termed the team’s pool at Tokyo Games next month as tough.
Shujaa have been grouped alongside 2016 Olympic Games bronze medallists South Africa, United States of America and Ireland, who qualified from the repechage in Monaco a fortnight ago.
Simiyu said they are aware of the task at hand following the release of the draw and that he is fighting to ensure the players are in peak conditions by the time they step onto the pitch for their opening match.
“We have had a solid build-up programme, playing in three tournaments and we are in the process of finalising our preparations for the Games. I am confident the boys will be in peak condition by the time the Games start,” said Simiyu
Kenya and South Africa have met twice in the in the build-up matches Kenya losing on both occasions (31-7 and 21-7) in Stellenbosch.
“There are no easy pools. South Africa are a good team and the USA are strong and Ireland have shown their worth during the repechage and even during the World Sevens Series,” added Simiyu.
Champions Fiji have a date with silver medallists Great Britain, Canada and Japan in Pool B while world championships New Zealand take on rivals Australia, Argentina and South Korea in Pool ‘A’.
On the other hand, the women’s team — Lionesses — face reigning Olympics silver medallists New Zealand, Russia and Great Britain in Pool ‘A’.
Canada headline Pool ‘B’ and will face off with France, Fiji and Brazil while champions Australia are the favourites in Pool ‘C’ where they battle USA, China and Japan.
The Olympic seedings were determined by the combined points gained by teams in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series over the 2019 and 2020 seasons with the four teams that qualified directly to the Olympic Games from the 2019 Series seeded in the top four positions.
Rugby at the Olympics will kick off with the three-day men’s competition on July 26. The women’s event will follow upon completion of the men’s competition.
Shujaa and Lionesses will have a pre-Olympic training camp in Kurume City in Japan from July 5 as they have final preparations for the Olympics before heading to Tokyo.
Simiyu will be hoping to improve on Kenya’s dismal showing from Rio where both teams finished 11th in their respective categories.
