Kenya coach Treu to quit after South Africa sevens

Paul Treu is to step down as Kenya sevens rugby coach after the Nelson Mandela Bay Sevens in South Africa this weekend, the Kenya Rugby Union said on Thursday.

Former South Africa coach Treu, who signed a three-year contract with Kenya only a year ago, brought forward his decision to leave after his team finished bottom at the Dubai Sevens in the UAE last week.

“I must thank Paul for the professional manner in which he has conveyed his decision [to quit],” KRU chairman Mwangi Muthee said in a statement.

“I admire his bravery of venturing into unfamiliar waters, leaving the comforts of an advanced rugby nation, such as South Africa. A lot of Kenyans respect and salute him for that.”

Treu did not give any reason for his decision to quit, but Muthee accepted there had been sharp differences in the team’s coaching staff led by the South African.

Kenya’s participation in the HSBC Sevens World series has been overshadowed by a player strike over contracts, leading to highly unsatisfactory performances in the two legs played so far.