Kenya outpaced: Fiji and Wales lock out Treu’s team at Hong Kong rugby 7s

By BS MULAVI

Fiji players exchange passes with Kenya chasing for the ball during the IRB Hong Kong leg of the World Series yesterday. Fiji beat Kenya 43-5. [PHOTO: IRB]

Kenya Sevens team suffered two consecutive losses in the group stages of the Hong Kong leg to drop down to the Bowl Competition of the tournament.

Kenya lost narrowly to Wales 10-7 before they were drubbed 43-5 by Fiji in the last group game. Kenya will however look at the Wales game with regrets given that they squandered the lead in the very last minute of the game.

Both teams looked even matched for the better part of the first half, but it was Wales that were first off their blocks, scoring a try in the fifth minute of the first half through Samuel Cross, whose conversion was missed by Ross Jones for the game to go to the break, Kenya trailing 5-0.

Kenya’s second half substitute Michael Agevi pumped some life into the team, with the Mwamba full-back scoring in the second minute of the second half. Collins Injera scored the following conversion to give Kenya the 7-5 lead which they held on to the dying minutes of the game.

Hero Collins Injera quickly turned villain after he was caught time-wasting which led to a turnover ball for Wales, who capitalized on the gaffe by scoring their second try of the game through Samuel Cross.

Ross Jones was not too bothered when he missed the following conversion as Wales were crowned 10-7 winners, a victory that guaranteed them a place in the Main Cup quarterfinals, given that their next game was against Sri-Lanka.

Wales went on to beat Sri-Lanka 47-12 in their final group game, which meant they qualified second from the group after being beaten by Fiji on Friday.

Speaking after their final game Wales technical bench member Dan Jones said “What you saw there was the boys digging in. I think there was about an hour recovery between matches so it was all about a quick recovery drink and keeping them warm before that match. The key now is to get some food on board, back to the hotel, ice baths, some treatment and plenty of rest.”

Kenya went on to play Fiji where they were schooled one or two things in the game of rugby. Fiji dictated the pace of the game and kept possession of the ball for long spells which relegated Kenya to mere spectators, in a game which they desperately needed to win, to qualify for the Main Cup quarterfinals.

Fiji showed no mercy and scored seven tries with Kenya only solace coming in the last minute of the second half, where Max Theuri scored the consolation try.

Kenya was scheduled to play Scotland in the early kick-off of the final day at 5am.