Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) chairman Alexander Mutai is promising a paradigm shift towards the 15's programme after World Rugby announced Thursday that it will come up with a new sevens model.
Shujaa and Kenya Lionesses, who are in Los Angeles for the final leg of the Sevens Series will not become core sides for the 2025-2026 season, irrespective of their performances over the weekend, after the governing body reduced the teams from 12 to eight despite an outcry from several unions over the new changes.
Two years ago, World Rugby cut down the teams from 16 to 12 in line with preparation for the 2024 Olympics.
However, in a bombshell announcement which had been building up for the last three weeks, the world body has yet again reduced the global Seven Series to eight teams.
They are Argentina, Fiji, Spain, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, France, New Zealand and Great Britain in the men's category.
In the Women's category, the top tier will feature champions New Zealand, Australia, France, Canada, Japan, USA, Fiji and Great Britain.
In the new model, teams that finish 9-12, where both Shujaa and Lionesses are, will play in a second division tournament that will feature three tournaments for the 2025-2026 season.
Teams that finish with final rankings of 13-16 will start their 2025/26 Sevens season journey through their respective Sevens regional qualifier competitions.
Mutai said the union will shift its focus to ensure the Kenya Simbas get solid preparation for the upcoming Rugby World Cup qualifiers in Uganda.
“Rugby is all about the 15's game. That's where the big resources are, and in that regard, we will be announcing a sponsorship package with our Simbas in the next two weeks as well as look at qualifying through the Africa route,” observed Mutai.
Mutai said the Simbas will embark on a six-week training camp in Cape Town, South Africa, next month in readiness for the World Cup qualifiers, with the Simbas' opening match against Uganda in Kampala.
“ We want to give the team the best possible preparations. I believe with the talent and players we have in this country, we should qualify. We have come close a couple of times in the recent past, but this is a good opportunity for us to create history," said Mutai.
A win against Uganda will set up a semifinal against champions Zimbabwe or Morocco, while the other half of the draw will see Namibia take on Senegal as Algeria face Côte d'Ivoire.
