Shujaa youngster Abukuse reveals lessons picked after debuting on World Series stage

Shujaa youngster Dennis Abukuse has revealed some of the vital lessons he has picked after making his debut at the prestigious HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series stage.

At the start of the 2023 campaign that commenced in November 2022, the skilled Menengai Oilers player was one of the new faces picked by head coach Damian McGrath to join the senior national team for the very first time after an impressive outing in the 2022 National Sevens Circuit.

Following his selection, Abukuse went on to make the travelling teams to the opening three outings that have so far taken place in Hong Kong, Dubai and Cape Town, tournaments where the youngster says have helped him find his footing at the highest level of the 7s competition.

“I did not get the desired playing time in the season opening outing in Hong Kong. But in Dubai and Cape Town, I managed to play and I expressed myself on the World Series stage which was an eye opening moment as I learnt my strengths and weaknesses which I have been working on ahead of the subsequent tournaments,” the player told Mozzart Sport.

Having gotten to rub shoulders with the likes of Double Olympic Gold medalists Fiji, current world champions Australia and African powerhouse South Africa among other top nations, Abukuse revealed what makes the difference between a non performing team and a successful side on the Series.

“From my assessment, endurance and a high work rate is what truly separates champions and these other teams. In terms of skill set, I did not see a big difference because they are similar things to what I can do. These other teams play to the last minute and that is what makes them get the results,” he noted.

When the Series resumes in January, Shujaa will be hoping to turn around the tide s the team had a woeful start to the season after finishing last in the season opening outing held in Hong Kong back in November, garnering only one point after losing all its matches.

In the second outing that took place in Dubai, Shujaa managed an 11th placed finish where they took five points for their exploits.

2022 Rugby Review: Year of promise ends in disarray

In the Cape Town 7s, the team finished in 13th place which gave them three points leading to a total of nine points after the three outings, results that have placed them in 14th place, one of the four spots that will lead to relegation playoff matches.

The team has also been boosted by the return of fan favourite Alvin ‘Buffa’ Otieno.