Kenya Sevens head coach Paul Murunga has attributed Shujaa's dwindling fortunes in the World Sevens Series to lack of pre-season training and injuries
Speaking on arrival from Vancouver, Murunga observed that lack of fitness has contributed to the team's dismal showing this season.
"The injuries we are having are simply due to lack of a strength and fitness regime ahead of the tournament,” said Murunga.
Playmaker Brian Wahinya, forward Herman Humwa and utility back Cyprian Kuto picked up injuries in the North American tour and will be assessed today by the doctors to see if they will be available for Asia's leg.
They join forward Brian Wandera on the sidelines. Wandera picked up a rib injury in Las Vegas and returned home last week. Murunga said the youthful side are not used to playing intense, physical rugby over two weekends.
"The boys are young and their bodies are tired. In the next couple of years, they will get used to it,” added Murunga
Shujaa picked up a point in Vancouver and sit in 13th place with 18 points. They are in a relegation dogfight with Wales and Japan who occupy the last position on the log.
Murunga said he will be forced to call upon players to the team if the injury toll continues to mount.
"As the technical bench, we will be forced to call players to beef up the squad for the next leg,” he added.
On the pooling in Hong Kong, where they face Olympic champions Fiji, New Zealand and Australia in pool B, Murunga relished the opportunity. “ There are no easy pools in the World Sevens Series. You must always be at your best and this is an opportunity for us to compete against the big boys."
The team is slated to take a ten-day break and resume training next week.
