Nondies are determined to win at least a leg of the National Sevens Series, which kicks off later this month in Mombasa with the Driftwood Sevens on July 26-27.
In that regard, the Jamhuri-based club will use this weekend’s inaugural Ruff and Tuff tournament as a build-up for the start of the National Seven Series. Nondies’ coach Ben Nyambu said having lost the Prinsloo Sevens final to Strathmore last year and improved in the past two seasons, they are relishing the battle ahead.
“We have improved tremendously in the shorter version of the game in the past two seasons. We finished sixth last year, and now our target is to be in the top five,” he said. Nondies have had an extensive 10-week Sevens training programme, which included skillwork and strength and conditioning.
Nyambu believes the tournament this Saturday will give indication of areas of improvement. “This is an ample opportunity to test our systems and look at all facets of play from our attack, defence, setpiece and basic core skill. I am m confident we are in a strong position to do well,” said Nyambu.
The hosts are in Pool B, alongside United States International University (USIU), neighbours Impala and Mwamba. Pool A will feature rivals Quins, Strathmore Leos Nakuru and Blak Blad.
Teams are expected to have 18-man squads for the one-day tournament, a move away from the traditional 12-man squad. Nyambu believes ithe move will allow his team to test all their players. “We will give all our players a chance to play in all the matches,” observed Nyambu.
Nondies club chairman and Crown Paints operations officer, Richard Muturi, said they expect over 3,000 rugby enthusiasts to turn up. He added: “This competition will give community teams a fighting chance to break into the national scene. It also serves as a timely build-up to the National 7s Circuit, which kicks off later this month in Mombasa.”
