NAIROBI, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Kenya rugby sevens head coach Paul Murunga says his two sides Kenya Shujaa and Kenya Morans have learned valuable lessons, which will spur them onto success at the 2018-19 World Rugby Sevens Series, which begins in Dubai on December 1.
The coach says he has trust in his young squad ahead of the World Series as they target the 100-point mark and a top four finish to qualify directly for the 2020 Olympics.
"The new season is important because the top four teams make it to the Olympic Games. I want Kenya to be part of the four," said Murunga on Monday in Nairobi.
"We want to build depth and expose the two young squads to intense and competitive rugby, and whoever will perform will definitely get contracted for the new season," added Murunga.
Kenya Shujaa relinquished their Safari Sevens title to Samurai International during the Safari Sevens finals losing 21-14 in Nairobi on Sunday evening.
The competition attracted international teams from Portugal, Spain, Namibia, Uganda and a South African club side.
Samurai's Kurt-Lee Arendse was named the tournament's most valuable player, Manuel Marta from Portugal was the top point scorer, and Hugo Fernandes was the top try scorer with eight tries.
Kenya Morans finished third after beating Spain 12-5, while Portugal won the Plate final after beating Kenyan club Homeboyz 31-5.
Murunga remains optimistic over Kenya's chances in the World Series, which kicks off in two weeks when they play Olympic champions Fiji, France and Scotland in Pool B.
The series was formed to develop an elite-level competition series among rugby nations and develop the sevens game into a viable commercial product for World Rugby. It runs from December to May each year.
