Lionesses ripe for World Rugby Series, says Murunga

The national rugby sevens ladies team Lionesses have year after year come close to securing their qualification to the HSBC world rugby sevens series, but always fall short in the final hurdles.

However, going into this year's HSBC Challenger Series kicking off on Friday in Dubai, former Shujaa coach Paul Murunga says it’s time for Lionesses to light their own flame and claim their place in the main league.

The veteran coach says the current crop of players are more experienced and have been exposed to the right conditions ahead of the Dubai fiesta.

“We have come close to qualifying in previous years especially when they were with Kevin Wambua but we didn’t make it. I think what has changed between then and now is that most of the players have been exposed well. Most of the players featured in the Tokyo Olympics and others like Sheilla Chajira played in the Rio Olympics.

"Unfortunately we were expecting Janet Okello to come from Japan but because of ticket issues we couldn’t have her in Dubai. The rest of the team has been exposed to various experiences in South Africa. In a nutshell we have a good set of players who can play and get into the main circuit.”

Murunga notes that the difference in the playing format in the Challenger Series will be key for the team, as they once again bid to get into the main circuit.

“It’s a bit different from previous qualifiers because before, you only had one chance to compete and win in Hong Kong and then qualify for HSBC. This time round the way they’ve structured it is different, and it’s good.

"You play in Dubai, then if you’re able to get into the Semi finals or finals you keep on accumulating points, then you go into another leg in Uruguay, then into Poland and then the last leg and top four will play knockout games against the team that has been bottom in HSBC.”

The Kenya Harlequin tactician feels this is the time for Lionesses to stamp their authority on the world stage, and claim their spot in the prestigious HSBC World Rugby sevens series as a core team.

“It’s a dream that I think has to come true this season. They should be able to play and win - get into knockout stages and get into the world rugby circuit.”

The Lionesses will take on China in their first Group B match on Friday at 1136hrs EAT before going to war against the Czech Republic at 1558hrs.

Their final group stage match pits them against Mexico on Saturday, at 1059hrs.