Kenya's rugby coach expresses confidence ahead of match

NAIROBI, April 3 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's national sevens rugby coach Benjamin Ayimba is hoping that Kenya can repeat last year's heroics in Adelaide when they line up for the sixth International Rugby Board (IRB) round on Saturday.

Kenya beat England 17-12 to reach its first ever main cup semifinals in Adelaide a year ago and Ayimba is praying for a repeat performance.

Kenya has been drawn together with World champions Fiji, England and France in a tough pool in the Australian tourney.

"We are very hopeful that we can do as well as last year and reach the semis but we have a very tough pool. England will come hard at us because we have beaten them in the last two tournaments. Fiji being a World class side wants to qualify for the quarters and of course France will be up for it because they got six points last week," said Ayimba in a statement.

Kenya lost 10-0 to Fiji in main cup quarterfinals in Hong Kong last weekend and Ayimba said he was disappointed with the team's performance.

"I was very disappointed in Hong Kong because Fiji were not looking very sharp. We were confident of beating them for the very first time but unfortunately we lost and now we have another chance in Adelaide," he said.

The team had traveled to Singapore from Hong Kong on Monday where they connected the flight to Adelaide.

The coach admitted that the task in Adelaide would be a daunting one after the team's lukewarm performance in Hong Kong.

After losing to Fiji in the Hong Kong sevens, Kenya lies fifth with 32 points in the overall standings.

New Zealand who won the Hong Kong leg top the standings on 110 points ahead of second placed South Africa.

The team was set to play Japan and Cook Islands in an open training session before a closed one in the afternoon as build up to the tournament.

Kenya will start its campaign in Adelaide against France before taking on England in their second match. The team's final match will be against Fiji.

The team currently lies fifth in the IRB standings with 32 points, three ahead of Argentina and six ahead of England.

The team has so far reached four main cup quarterfinals in Dubai, George, San Diego and Hong Kong as well as reaching the last four in San Diego.

The former national sevens skipper credits this season's outstanding results to notable improvement in defense.

"I have always advocated for good defense and saw myself as a good defender. It was one of the things I sought to improve because while Kenya can attack blindfolded, defending was not up to scratch but that has improved a lot this season and hopefully we can incorporate both aspects of the game and come out victorious," said Ayimba.