UR7s Barbarians Name Squad For Nigeria Independence 7s Tour

UR7s have named their Barbarians squad for the upcoming Independence 7s in Nigeria and the squad is full of HSBC World Sevens Series experience with a strong Kenyan influence.

The tournament is in it’s 7th year and its a celebration of Nigerian Independence which holds in Lagos from October 24th to 25th, 2015. Many of the Kenyans picked are those that have been excluded from the recently named squad whose first assignment will be to vie for the Olympic Qualifiers in South Africa.

UR7s Barbarians name squad with 13 Kenyans for Nigeria Independence 7s Tour

The Independence 7s features teams from all over the world including Western Province who will be flying to Lagos following the Safari Sevens. Alongside the men from South Africa will be a number of sides from the UK and the top Nigerian club sides.

The UR7s Barbarians will be coached by UR7s Academy Director, Tom Burwell who spoke of his excitement about the squad “I am really pleased with both the balance of the squad and the firepower. To include Marko and Younes from France who both recently played in the World Club 7s alongside some of the standout players in Kenya is great”

“The likes of Davis Chenge, Michael Agevi, Max Theuri, Fabian Olando and Cyprian Kuto have experience in the Kenya 7s national team and Kenny Andola is also a former VC of the Kenya XVs squad”

UR7s Africa recently toured through Kenya promoting Rugby 7s and Burwell said the Barbarians team is a vital part of the overall program.

“We have always said we support “Everything 7s” and that goes from our Legacy Program in schools and clubs, to the tour working in division two sides and universities through to now take a performance squad to an African tournament”

“We want boys to aspire to play for the Barbarians throughout Kenya and this is our first tour and we are really excited”
“The tournament is going to be of a high standard with most of the sides having played together a lot more than us especially Western Province who play in the Safari Sevens but we want to show our very best in Lagos and represent UR7s, Kenyan and French rugby”

The Barbarians will be representing UR7s Africa which is powered by Atlas Support and Development Services in Nairobi.

UR7s Barbarians name squad with 13 Kenyans for Nigeria Independence 7s Tour

UR7s Barbarians Squad for Independence 7s, Nigeria:
1. Darwin Mukidza
2. Michael Agevi (Kenya 7s)
3. Maxwell Theuri (Kenya 7s)
4. Brian Omondi
5. Kenny Andola
6. Joseph Mawira
7. Davis Chenge (Kenya 7s)
8. Cyprian Kuto (Kenya 7s)
9. Fabian Olando (Kenya 7s)
10. Arthur Owira
11. Michael Wanjala
12. Martin Owila
13. Brad Owako .

SOUTH AFRICAN RUGBY TALISMAN FABIAN JURIES TO ATTEND THE INDEPENDENCE RUGBY 7’S IN LAGOS

Ex-Springbok 7’s talisman ‘’Fabian Juries’ will arrive Lagos on the 30st October 2014 for the Independence 7’s in Lagos in a bid to promote the game of rugby in Nigeria, the Ex-Springbok speed star is IRB Sevens highest try scorer in South Africa and 13th in the world.

He is expected to help with officiating in the tournament and prepare the Nigerian national team the ‘Black Stallions’ for the African Sevens Championship in Zimbabwe in November 2014.

Mr Kelechukwu Mbagwu CEO CMB Building who also doubles as also the chairman of Friends of rugby, a major supporter and sponsor of independence rugby sevens from its inception in 2009 Said: “We are glad that one of the top rugby sevens player in the world will be in Nigeria to support the development of the sport and the tournament, his presence will also help motivate the home based players, he further reported that preparations is ongoing to ensure we have a great tournament, and also to ensure we further harness the opportunities embedded therein”.

Fabian Juries, photo sport24.co.za

Nigeria has a population of over 150 million; we are also naturally built for Rugby. If properly harnessed, Rugby can become our number one sport in the country”. The real estate veteran who is an ex rugby player further stressed that the game of rugby is the greatest team sport ever, it teaches discipline, respect and he expects the game to spread fast into all schools in the country.

This year’s Independence 7’s will be held at the Onikan Stadium, Onikan, Lagos on the 31st of October and 1st of November 2014.

Zaria RFC Retains Top Spot Of Northern Rugby League As South South Teams Battle For Independence 7’s Slot

NRFF League

Zaria RFC retains its slot at the top of the Northern League Table after defeating Kaduna RFC away from home, the match ended 13 point to 0, Zaria RFC has only lost one game and they are currently on 32 points and trailed by Barewa RFC with 23 points, Barewa RFC also claimed a victory from a well entertaining match against its rival Jos RFC,

Also in the South East League, Abia Buffalo defeated Imo Wildcat by 25 points to 0; this victory automatically elevates the Abia Buffalo to the top of the South East League table.

South South Play-off for Independence 7’s

Sequel to the slot handed to south south to participation in the 2014 independence Rugby 7’s, the south south rugby union staged a 7’s tournament which features teams from OLEH, EDO,WARRI AND ASABA. at the end of the tournament, the South-South Rugby chairman MR HENSHAW .E AIGBEKAEN gave his assurance that they will only select the best players to represent the South South at this year’s independence 7’s, he further stated that he is impressed with the standard of their performance and feels his team will give a good account of itself in this year’s tournament.

The Independence 7’s tournament will run from the 31st October 2014 to the 1st of November 2014 at the Onikan Stadium, Lagos. Nigeria.

Former Black Stallions Captain Praises Organisers Of Independence 7s

The Captain of Gosar Rugby Football Club of Lagos, Adeniran Gbenga Ahmed has praised the decision of the organisers of the annual Independence 7s for postponing the competition from 10th – 11th October to 31st October – 1st of November 2014 because of the Ebola Virus which is currently being managed by the Federal Government and the Lagos State Government.

He further agreed that since Rugby is a contact sport, it will not be advisable to expose players, officials and even spectators to unnecessary dangers since the government has not given the green light regarding the total eradication.

While speaking further, the highly influential player expressed his happiness over his team booking a place in the fast growing competition which will hold at the Onikan Stadium, Lagos.

“We are very happy to qualify for the independence 7s because it is one of the competitions in Nigeria now that is fast growing because it is an international competition and everybody wants to be part of the international competition in our own country.”
“I am very glad to be part of this international competition.”

He commended the organisers for working round the clock in their quest to make this year’s edition bigger, better and more exciting than what was witnessed last year which Police Rugby Football Club won after defeating Cowrie Rugby Football Club in the final which was keenly contested.

“I will say kudos to friends of Rugby and the board of the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation as they are putting in all their best for this competition to be hosted.”

“This is the 1st time we are playing qualifiers for this competition or any Sevens competition in Nigeria, that means the Independence 7s is growing very big than what we think and we are ready to support them in anything they are doing.”

He revealed that despite the postponement, they are currently sweating it out in training to stay in shape and perfect all their moves.

“We have already hit the gym because there is so much at stake, there is prize money, trophies and massive media coverage, come on, I want to win.”

Gbenga concluded that “with all the big teams coming from Europe, America, Botswana, South Africa and Nigeria, the only chance we have right now is to play in the finals and if we can qualify for the finals, I will be satisfied.”