Commonwealth Games: Kenya launch rugby medal hunt with 28-0 win over minnows Cook Islands

Dan Sikuta of Kenyas Moran Team is tackled by Ustin Lickington of South Africa as Oscar Ouma provides support in the finals of the 2012 Safaricom sevens rugby Tournament at the Nyayo national StadiumON 23/09/2012

Kenya Rugby Sevens re-affirmed their might as they walloped a hapless Cook Islands 28-0 as the Commonwealth Games battle kicked off here at the Ibrox Stadium.

Kenyan men, who finished fourth at the 2010 Delhi Games and IRB Rugby Sevens World Cup in Moscow last year, atoned their loss against Scotland in quarter finals at the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

They stormed off the blocks with gusto, running rings around their opponents from the South Pacific Ocean. Collins Injera scored the first try and Biko Adema converted as they ran away with 7-0 lead at the break.

Injera, a graduate of Daystar University, proved he was no pushover as he scored a second try minutes after resuming the second half.

Lameck Odhiambo then broke into Cook Islanders weak backline and fired away to the touch line.

Michael Agevei, the younger brother of his team mates Humprey Khayange and Collins Injera, got inspired and squeezed an opportunity after the buzzer to score and convert the fourth try. It was particularly sweet Adema who made four conversions.

Coach Paul Treu said he was happy winning their first match against Cook Islanders.

"This is a team we never knew quite well since they are not in the IRB World Series. It motivates the boys. As I said, we never came to compete, but to win. We have high hopes of winning a medal," said Treu.

Kenya were set to play Trinidad and Tobago before facing South Africa's Springboks last night.

Kenya will play either four-time champion New Zealand, hosts Scotland, Canada or Barbados in the Main Cup today if they progressed in Pool B.

Captain Andrew Amonde said they enjoyed the match and are determined to win the big prize. "We will not travel back home without a medal. Hard work must be rewarded," he said.

Meanwhile, New Zealand extended its Commonwealth Games winning streak in rugby Sevens to 26 matches with a 39-0 win over Canada. The teams met in the Glasgow final of the IRB sevens tournament in May, when New Zealand again dominated 54-7.

There were a number of other one-sided matches early yesterday in the two-day, 16-team tournament. Wales beat Malaysia 52-0, South Africa blanked Trinidad and Tobago 36-0 and Australia defeated Sri Lanka 62-7.

New Zealand has won all four previous Commonwealth Games golds. Rugby Sevens will debut as an Olympic sport in 2016 at Rio de Janeiro.