On January 24, 2023, the greatest Rugby player of all time, Collins Injera, hung up his boots after 17 years of pure greatness.
Kenya 7s Top try scorer and the second all-time try scorer in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series (279 tries) retired from what was an illustrious career.
The Melrose Sevens Hall of Fame inductee will forever be engraved in the history books, but, where is he right now? How is retirement life?
Walk with me through a tell-it-all interview that was done courtesy of Radio Jambo.
What have you been doing since retirement?
“Retirement has been good, I can’t complain, just chilling at home with my family and of course dealing with my things.”
What about your involvement with Sports- in an administrative position?
“I have started my coaching career at Mwamba RFC. Where I am the attack and defense coach. I work together with Peter Kepher- the skills and development coach.”
What made you hang your boots despite your good physique?
“Everything must come to an end, at some time. I have always said that I will know it’s time because my body will tell me. And for the last few months it ‘spoke’ to me so, finally, decided to listen to it.”
“Off-pitch issues also contributed to my decision. My family is not getting younger, I needed to get more time with them.”
How did you venture into Rugby?
“My brother Humphrey Khayange influenced me to join Rugby. I used to be a football player before my transition. It was when I was at Vihiga High School that I realized I had a thing in Rugby.”
What was your experience after you made your debut in Kenya 7s national team (SHUJAA)?
“Playing for my National team was a dream come true for me. There were players like Dennis Mwanja, Gibson Weru, Humphrey Khayange, and many more that I used to look up to when I was starting my Rugby journey. Much appreciation to the late Benjamin Ayimba- the coach that gave me my first call up, it was a milestone. I never looked back since then and the rest became history.”
What was your reaction after Shujaa was relegated from the prestigious HSBC World Rugby Series?
“It wasn’t easy for me at a personal level. I was devastated, to say the least. But in hindsight, I believe it now gives us a chance to go back to the drawing board and enhance our Rugby culture which was going astray. I believe the constant coach roulette has been detriment to the team’s culture and created friction between the young players and senior players. However, I believe we can bounce back if the right measures are implemented.”
What should be done to restore the HSBC status?
“Rugby should be made professional. If you look at all teams that participate in the circuit, Rugby is professional in their countries. The training facilities should be revamped and also the financial side of the players should be ironed out. Satellite tournaments will also help the players to play high-level series, the Rugby Union should ensure that.”
Which was the toughest team and HSBC circuit you have ever faced?
“For the toughest team, I have to go with FIJI, they play the game differently because they are unpredictable. The toughest Circuit has to be Japan because of the hostile weather, it was very cold.”
Who was your idol in Rugby?
“William Rider- a former FIJI player, he was heads and shoulders above the rest, he was a generational talent,” he concluded.
Collins Injera Milestones
Adelaide 7s Cup Final 2009
IRB Sevens Player of the Year Nominee 2008/9
IRB Sevens Top Try Scorer 2008/9
SOYA Awards Sportsman of the Year 2009
Order of the Grand Warrior of Kenya (OGW) 2009
Singapore 7s Cup Winners 2016
Vancouver 7s Cup Final 2018
Hong Kong 7s Cup Final 2018
Rugby World Cup 7s 2009, 2013, 2018, 2022
Commonwealth Games 2010, 2014,2018
