'Phenomenal player' Wabwire dreams big with KCB after Christie Sevens triumph

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Declared player of the final in Christie Sevens, the third leg of Kenya National Sevens Rugby Circuit, Floyd Wabwire's run in the tournament is the stuff of dreams.

Wabwire, 26, has for the second time been declared player of the final after three tournaments in the series.

On Sunday, the Kenya sevens star touched down a brace of tries to guide his team KCB to a 17-5 victory against Menengai Oilers in the final of Christie Sevens, sparking off wild celebrations at the RFUEA grounds in Nairobi.

Wabwire finished as the joint top try scorer with Victor Odhiambo of Strathmore Leos in Christie Sevens tournament with eight tries each, but he achieved another milestone in the series.

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He stretched his tries tally to a total of 21 that puts him at the top of the Sportpesa National Sevens Circuit.

Wabwire, a utility back, also sadded to his tally as the leading points scorer in the series with a total of 115 points after just three tournaments in the circuit- Driftwood Sevens, Prinsloo Sevens, and Christie Sevens.

The sky is now the limit for the player.

"It's all about making sacrifices and fighting for all scraps to the end. This is just the beginning. I shall not relax until the end of the series," Wabwire, who was named player of the final in Driftwood Sevens where KCB beat Strathmore Leos 15-14 in the final.

Wabwire also played a critical role in KCB's run to the final of Prinsloo Sevens in Nakuru, only for his team to lose to Strathmore Leos 24-7.

On Sunday at RFUEA Grounds, KCB cruised to its second victory in the circuit, taking a five-point lead at the top with a total of 63 points.

Strathmore Leos who tied on points with the bankers heading into the Christies, are now second on 58 points after claiming bronze medal. Strathmore beat home team Harlequin 24-19 in the play-offs. The Menengai Oilers are third in the series with 47 points.

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"For me to perform well, it narrows down to great teamwork we are enjoying the game. That way, I can then explore the chances I have, and strike at the right time," Wabwire said.

He played for Kenya Sevens for the first time at the Hamilton Sevens leg of the World Rugby Sevens Series in January 2023.

Wabwire said it was a good experience playing for the national team, and he hopes to maintain his position in the team.

KCB's head coach, Dennis Mwanja is full of praise for Wabwire.

Mwanja describes Wabwire as a phenomenal player wit rare speed.

"You know speed sells. Any player who is fast in any sport automatically gets an advantage," said Mwanja, adding that Wabwire has improved his game with regard to skill and awareness.

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"He is able to read the game, look around, and kick and that is what helps in the World Seven Series. If we had five players of his calibre in Kenya Sevens, we would have gone places in the world series," explained Mwanja, adding that consistency is key in the local series.

"We want to reach every final, but we are not going ahead of time. All we want is to look fresh and stay focused ahead of the next leg (Embu Sevens) in Embu," Mwanja, who hopes to reclaim the national title KCB last won in 2023, says.

On Sunday, KCB reached their third Cup final in the series after beating hosts Harlequin 21-19 in the semi-finals. Menengai Oilers reached their first Cup final by bundling out Prinsloo Sevens champions and Driftwood Sevens silver medallists, Strathmore Leos, 24-19 in the other semi-final match.

In the third-place play-off match, Gabriel Ayimba landed a sudden-death try to see Leos edge out Quins 24-19 and settle for bronze.