Frailties exposed as Kenya beat Canada, but fall to Argentina in Las Vegas Sevens

The Kenyan team huddles before a game during the USA Rugby Sevens tournament in Las Vegas, Nevada, February 13, 2015. AFP PHOTO / ISAAC BREKKEN

The Kenya National Sevens rugby team posted mixed results on the first day of the US leg of the HSBC Sevens World Series.

With only two pool games to be played by the side, Kenya beat Canada 22-21 in a thrilling contest, while they lost 19-14 to Argentina in the second match.

Kenya’s frailties were once again exposed in both matches as they conceded early tries within the first minute of play, forcing them to chase the game from the start.

After going down 14-0 against Canada, it took the intervention of Dan Sikuta to score two tries to get them back on level ground, before Canada pooled one back.

Luckily, Kenya had brought their fighting spirit to the game and a try from Michael Wanjala narrowed the gap, before Billy Odhiambo made his mark through a powerful pick and drive next to the ruck.

The win was a good start for Kenya. However, they could not pull off a similar last gasp win against Argentina.

Having lagged behind Argentina for most of the game, Kenya were within five metres from the try line with 30 seconds to go, but a second of indecision from the side saw them lose the ball and, similarly, their chance to have secured the Main Cup quarterfinals on the first day.

In the other match of the pool, Canada pulled off the first major upset of the tournament with a win over England in a highly-entertaining fixture. Adam Zaruba crashed over out wide to steal a 15-12 win.

England jumped out to a 12-0 lead after Charlie Hayter and Tom Mitchell made the most of their touches, but Canada clawed their way back into the match with a try either side of half-time to Lucas Hammond and Harry Jones before Zaruba’s late match-winner.

In round one action, England defeated Argentina 19-17 after Los Pumas had the run of play early, leading 10-0 through tries from German Schulz and Santiago Alvarez before John Brake reduced the margin to three with a converted try on half-time.

England’s fight-back continued in the second half with a converted try to captain Mitchell giving them a 14-10 lead. Brake’s second extended England’s lead before Nicolas Coronel reduced the final margin to two on the stroke of full-time.

With only two teams qualifying for the Main Cup Quarterfinal, Kenya will have to beat England in the second day to proceed.