Shujaa, the Kenyan national rugby team, is coming to this years USA Sevens Rugby in Las Vegas, NV with one hand tied to the back. Currently ranked 13th in the HSBC World Rugby HSBC series, the team plagued by scandal and bad showing, needs a strong showing to avoid being relegated from the series.
Only 12 top teams are guaranteed a spot in the sevens circuit. At number 13, the 2016 HSBC Rugby Sevens Series Champ in Singapore, is one spot too many.
To win, Shujaa will have to live up to their name– bravery and get physical with the opponents as they did in 2018.
Stats show, Kenya is the most physical team in the tournament. On average, according to Rob Vickerman of The World Rugby Expert View, the Kenyan team averaged 32 steals at the ruck, when others averaged 15.
Shujaa also outperforms peers with turnovers. While Fiji the second best team in forcing turnovers from opponents average 5, Shujaa averages 11 in 2018.
Rugby is a physical game, the stronger the team the better the chances of winning. To increase their chances, Kenyan must use the most potent tool– UGALI!