The Kenyan national rugby sevens team has secured Fijian winger Jone Kubu for the upcoming tournaments in Hong Kong and Singapore, part of the SVNS Series. Kubu, who made his debut with the Shujaa team last month in Vancouver, has been recognized by head coach Kevin Wambua as a valuable addition to the squad for the competitive Asian leg.
At 31 years old, Kubu, a native of Naitasiri, Fiji, has been actively contributing to Kenyan rugby since his arrival with the Samurai International team for the Safari 7s in 2014. His experience is notable, having played for the Kabras Sugar RFC and winning four Kenyan Cup titles. Kubu also represented the Kenya Simbas in 2021, showcasing his versatility by playing at fly-half during the Africa Cup held in Nairobi.
The Kenyan team remains largely unchanged and will be led by captains George Ooro and Samuel Asati. They are welcoming back Festus Shiasi from KCB after his absence in Vancouver, replacing young player Jackson Siketi from Kabras RFC.
In the upcoming tournaments, Shujaa has drawn a tough pool consisting of Spain, Great Britain, and France. After a disappointing 12th place finish in Vancouver, where they still managed to hold onto 9th in the overall standings with 15 points, Kenya is determined to improve its performance on this international stage.
The anticipated Hong Kong 7s will unfold from March 28 to March 30 at the Kai Tak Stadium, followed by the Singapore 7s on April 4 and 5. Kenyan fans are hopeful that Kubu’s addition to the squad will inspire both the team and budding rugby talents throughout the nation.
This renewed focus on strengthening the team’s line-up, highlighted by Kubu’s established record and the adjustments to their roster, reflects a positive outlook for Kenya’s performance in the upcoming series. The hard work and dedication shown by the players indicate a bright future for Kenyan rugby on the global stage.
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