Nairobi - New Kenya sevens coach Paul Treu will strive for more consistency in developing the team towards qualifying for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
In his first interview, the South African, who signed a three year contract with Kenya in October, said his immediate challenge was to make the team more focused and be competitive in the second leg of the 2013-14 HSBC World Sevens series in Dubai on November 29-30.
“We need to find our feet with the players and make sure everyone is at the same level. Our focus will be on the fitness and making sure the players are more direct in their attack and the defence has to go forward,” said Treu.
Fifth-ranked Kenya is drawn in Group A in the Dubai Sevens, alongside France, Portugal and New Zealand, winners of the season's opening round in Australia in October.
“It is going to be a tough pool. Playing against France and Portugal is not going to be easy and, obviously New Zealand will be working to improve on their last game.
“It would be irresponsible for me to say that we are going to win this tournament. For us as a new management, our work is to make sure the players are well conditioned and ready to compete, especially among the eight teams on the circuit.”
Along with his post of head coach, Treu's docket includes of being head of high performance and working with the Kenyan coaches and players to professionalize their sevens rugby.
He has been tasked with turning the Kenya sevens team into a fully professional unit by 2015.
Treu's technical bench includes fellow South Africans, Vuyo Zangqa and Graham Bentz, who will serve as deputy coach and skills and conditioning coach respectively.
Sapa-AFP