KCB Rugby winger/center Festus Shiasi has revealed a special quality he believes earned him selection at the inaugural Ultimate 7s.
Shiasi noted that his physicality and direct style of play played a key role in earning him a place in the prestigious tournament.He will play for Foudre Bleue Sevens Club, where he will team up with fellow Kenyans Patrick Odongo and Sinaida Mokaya.
The Kenyan international was excited to receive confirmation of his selection after learning that the championship had brought together some of the best players from different nations who have competed on the HSBC Sevens circuit.“They were getting some of the best players from different nations who had been playing in the HSBC Sevens. When I got the message that I had been drafted, I was excited because I knew I would be part of history. This is also the future of 7s,” the speedster said.
The KCB star further revealed that his sister, Eunice Safari, was the first person he contacted after receiving the news, acknowledging her continued support throughout his career.“The first person I texted when I got the news was my sister, Eunice Safari, because she has always been very supportive,” he said.
Shiasi believes his ability to make hard tackles and carry the ball aggressively made him an attractive option during the player selection process.“I am a hard tackler and a hard runner, and I believe that contributed a lot to my call-up,” he disclosed.
The winger, however, will not be travelling to the tournament simply to make up the numbers. He has identified specific areas of his game that he wants to improve while competing against some of the world’s leading sevens players.“I want to get some skills right and work on my pace,” he said.
Shiasi has already begun building relationships within the Foudre Bleue setup, revealing that he has been in communication with Odongo and the team’s management ahead of the tournament.“I have already started chatting with my teammates, Patrick Odongo (laughs), and the team manager,” he revealed.Shiasi is determined to make the most of the opportunity and represent Kenya strongly, with the tournament set to offer a new platform for elite sevens rugby.“I will make you guys proud,” he promised.
The Ultimate Sevens Championship is designed to introduce a new format for elite sevens rugby, bringing men’s and women’s competitions together under six franchise clubs.How Mean Machine clinched surprise Division One promotionEach franchise will field a 12-player men’s team and a 12-player women’s team, with both competitions running simultaneously at each venue.The six founding franchises are Albion Athletic Sevens Club, Atlantic Novas Sevens Club, Foudre Bleue Sevens Club, Pacific Current Sevens Club, Clan Taran Sevens Club, and Sol Feroz Sevens Club.
Each squad comprises two marquee players, nine elite players, and one academy player, with coaches selecting players through a five-round draft. Coaches are given only 45 seconds to make each selection, adding an element of pressure and excitement to the squad-building process.The six coaches are Philip Snyman of Clan Taran, Shannon Fraser of Albion Athletic, Kelly Brazier of Atlantic Novas, Maria Ribera of Foudre Bleue, Crystal Kaua of Pacific Current, and Paco Hernández of Sol Feroz.