WORLD SEVENS SERIES

Kenya 7s name squad for crucial World 7s Series playoffs in Los Angeles

By Amanga collins

Posted on April 26, 2025

Kenya 7s players in a previous halftime break. PHOTO/ World Rugby

Kenya 7s head coach Kevin Wambua has announced a strong 13-man squad for the upcoming World Rugby Sevens Series promotion/relegation playoff set for May 3–4 in Los Angeles.

The coach has opted to retain the core group that impressed in the Vancouver Sevens, where Kenya finished as runners-up.

Kenya 7s playmaker

Among the players is Mwamba RFC’s Anthony Omondi, now fully fit, and Samuel Asati of KCB, who has been the most consistent player under Wambua’s tenure.

Also retained are speedsters Floyd Wabwire and Patrick Odongo, who were instrumental in Vancouver, as well as Festus Shiasi, who caught the eye with standout performances.

Jone Kubu Tavaga, who broke into the squad this season, will get another opportunity, while experienced campaigners Kevin Wekesa, Vincent Onyala, Denis Abukuse, Brian Tanga, and George Ooro also make the trip.

Kenya headline Pool A after finishing ninth overall in the regular season, missing out on direct qualification behind Great Britain. They are drawn alongside hosts USA, Portugal, and Samoa in what promises to be a competitive group stage.

Pool B features Uruguay, Ireland, Canada, and Germany, with all eight teams vying for a coveted top-four finish.

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This will mark the third time that Kenya, Uruguay, and Canada compete in the promotion playoffs since the format’s introduction in 2023.

While World Rugby is yet to confirm the exact format for this year’s edition, the previous season featured a round-robin stage followed by cross-pool knockout qualifiers.

In 2024, a top-four finish is more crucial than ever, as World Rugby is reportedly reducing the number of core teams in the World Series from 12 to 8 due to ongoing financial challenges. This follows a previous cut from 16 teams post-COVID-19.

According to reports from Spanish outlets El Observador and El Periodico, the new structure—already shared with unions—will see the top four teams in LA qualify for three second-tier tournaments next season. These teams will also have the chance to play in three additional top-tier events during the campaign and receive a financial package of £300,000, the same as current core teams, though only guaranteed for the coming season.

The restructured circuit will consist of six top-tier events featuring the best eight men’s and women’s teams. Below that, a second division will include six teams—four from the LA playoffs and two from a Challenger tournament featuring teams ranked 13th to 20th globally.

Each season will culminate in a Grand Final, where 12 teams—the top 8 and 4 second-tier qualifiers—will battle for overall honors. This format is expected to remain in place until the end of the current Olympic cycle in July 2028.