Injera awed by Fiji rugby

KENYAN FLYER ARRIVES FOR CORAL COAST 7S

RUGBY 7s legend Collins Injera says Fiji’s unothodox style of play is something that stands out whenever he has played against the team on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.

Now retired from playing, Injera arrived into the country yesterday to be part of the McDonald’s Fiji’s Coral Coast Sevens as the tournament ambassador.

He has played Fiji on several occasions during his rugby career which spans nearly 16 years.

“For me playing against Fiji was one of the biggest games. Fiji has two Olympic gold medals which is very amazing,” the Nairobi resident said.

“In terms of play, we always want to express ourselves like the Fijian team. But then the Fijians will do different things which are hard to judge because of what they will do next.”

Injera currently holds the position of second all-time leading try scorer on the series, a feat that still surprises him considering he did not even know what rugby was when he was a teenager at the Vihiga High School in Vihiga, Kenya.

He is second only to England’s Dan Norton.

The Fijian with the most points scored is Jerry Tuwai at number 20.

Injera said he looked up to the Fiji 7s team while growing up, and playing them was always a dream come true. “In 2016, we defeated Fiji at the Singapore 7s final 30-7. That was the best moment of my life because we used to watch Fiji play rugby 7s on television as kids.”

Injera said he was amazed by the reception he received at the Nadi International Airport.

“This is first time for me to be in Fiji,” he said.

“The welcome ceremony was tremendous. It was just amazing, just like it was long flight and then straight through immigration and out. It’s so far so good.”

Meanwhile, Injera and former Fiji 7s great Noa Nadruku will be inducted into the Rugby Town Walk of Fame in Sigatoka on Wednesday.