NAIROBI, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- Kenya will look forward to building on their performance when the rugby Sevens World Series returns in Hamilton, New Zealand in January next year.
Head coach Paul Feeney said in Nairobi on Monday, after the team touched down from Cape Town Sevens, that he is impressed with the progression after the first two rounds of the World Series in Dubai and South Africa.
The New Zealand coach, who will guide his side back to his homeland in January, says competition for places in the squad is high and it will only help improve the team's wellbeing and performances as they seek to dominate the World Series and win a medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.
Kenya collected 11 points from the Cape Town Sevens bringing their total tally to 15. The next World Sevens Series leg is in Hamilton from Jan. 25-26 followed by the Sydney Sevens in Australia in February.
"We were unlucky in Dubai but we have definitely made improvements in our kickoffs. Everyone in the team has had a start in the matches, those that came off the bench during the Samoa match all started against Australia, so giving people opportunity has played a role in our performance. Our work rate has greatly improved as well," Paul Feeney told reporters in Nairobi.
In Cape Town, Kenya finished seventh after falling 17-5 to South Africa in the Cup quarterfinal.
This is after Kenya went unbeaten at the pool stages beating Samoa 24-19, Australia 12-7 and drew 24-24 with Ireland. The performance meant that Kenya finished the group contest second in Pool D while Ireland topped.
New Zealand and South Africa both have 41 points after two rounds, with the All Blacks Sevens sitting top on points difference.
France's bronze medal has lifted them to third with 29 points, just ahead of Argentina, England (both on 24) and defending series champions Fiji on 23 points. Argentina are ranked fifth ahead of Ireland, Kenya and Scotland.
