Kenya sevens head coach Innocent Simiyu is relishing South Africa, Uganda battles in Dubai sevens after a draw that pitted them together.
Kenya was drawn in group A, with Uganda – Africa sevens defending champions for two years in a row – the invitational team for the Dubai circuit of the HSBC World Rugby Series set to get underway on 30 November – 2 December.
It will be Uganda’s second appearance at the Dubai sevens after losing all three of their pool games to South Africa, Scotland and the United States respectively about 10 months ago in their maiden show.
Shujaa’s Simiyu termed the looming clashes as “two local derbies” that will “sort out bragging rights”.
“We have an exiting pool with two local derbies to sort out bragging rights,” he told Kenya Rugby Union’s official website.
“We will have our mini ‘King of Africa 7s’ competiton in the pool. I know we have enough firepower to top the pool.”
The tactician knows how Uganda’s set up could line up after watching Phillip Wokorach, Joseph Aredo, Aaron Ofoirwoth and Solomon Okia perform for Kenyan clubs.
Uganda are the recently crowned African 7s champions and some of their key players are currently playing in our local sevens circuit.
“South Africa are the reigning World Sevens Series champions and we have come close to beating them last year on numerous occasions, losing by a conversion or a late try.
“Canada had a good season last year and play a well structured game.
“We have beat them a few times last year and we cant leave anything to chance.”
Uganda lost to South Africa in last year’s Dubai sevens opener 46-00, then USA 29-07, Scotland 35-14, Samoa 27-19 and Canada 17-20, managing only two wins against Japan 19-26 and 21-17.
Pool B has England, Scotland, France and the newly promoted Spain while Olympic champions Fiji are drawn in Pool C with Australia, Wales.
Russia, New Zealand, USA, Argentina and Samoa make up Pool D.