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Kenya Sevens could be about to face more difficulties in their quest to play in the World Sevens Series as World Rugby is planning drastic changes to the game’s format.
Kenya Sevens face the prospect of missing out on a chance to play at the prestigious World Rugby Sevens Series consistently following a proposal by World Rugby to reduce the number of core teams.
Just two years after reducing the number of core teams from 16 to 12, World Rugby now wants to chop off four more to have the World Sevens Series consisting of only eight sides.
That would be catastrophic for many nations around the world, including Kenya, and it is seen by observers as a step back and a bid to have a ‘closed shop’ where just a handful of well-funded teams will be hogging the limelight in the World Sevens Series.
World Rugby is reportedly mulling over the drastic decision following financial problems that have made it impossible to sustain many teams in the World Series, having been hit hard since the COVID-19 pandemic.
What are the changes being proposed?
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In the new proposal, as reported by American Rugby News, the top four teams from the eight-team promotion-relegation playoff will get tickets to three second tier events the following season and with a chance to play in three more tournaments later in the season alongside top tier teams.
The four teams will earn the £300,000 (Ksh51.4 million) which currently goes to the World Series teams but this will only be for one year, once the new format kicks in.
From the proposed changes, the new World Sevens Series will have six legs consisting the top eight male and female teams, and then there will be a second division just below them, which will have six teams, four coming from the relegation-promotion playoff and two from a one-off Challenger Tournament.
The Challenger will have eight teams, ranked from 13th to 20th in the world, featuring per event.
At the end of the season, there will be three finals with the big one consisting 12 teams, being the eight from the top tier, and the top four from the second division.
It therefore means qualifying from the Los Angeles playoffs is very important as it will mean getting a place in the second division and a chance to play in the finals and a shot at the Ksh51.4 million.
This model will continue until the completion of the Olympic cycle (July 2028) but the cash windfall is only guaranteed for the first season.
Rugby fans up in arms over new format
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While World Rugby has not made these changes official, there is already panic among fans, including Shujaa supporters, who fear the new format could be implemented next season and end up seeing Kenya miss out on a place in the World Series, even if they finish in the top four at the playoff in Los Angeles, set to be played from May 3-4.
There is already an online petition from rugby fans seeking to compel Word Rugby against the changes that will have far reaching implications on many teams.
Under the current format, the top eight teams are assured a place in the World Sevens Series while the rest go into an eight-team relegation-promotion playoff with the top four from the Challenger Series and whoever finishes in the top four earn promotion to the top tier.
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