Kenya Sevens shifts focus to World Series and World Cup
Rugby
By
Betty Njeru
| Aug 02, 2022
Rugby Sevens Series in Los Angeles after a seventh-placed finish at the ongoing 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, United Kingdom.
Shujaa came short on their medal-hunting campaign in Birmingham after losing 31-0 to defending champions New Zealand in the quarterfinals of the rugby sevens event on Saturday.
Kenya further lost to Scotland 22-12 in the semi-final for fifth place on Sunday.
Kenya Sevens coach Damian McGrath said they will shift their focus to the World Series and the upcoming World Cup.
The Los Angeles Sevens is scheduled for August 27 to 28 in the American city and will be followed by the Rugby World Cup Sevens from September 9 to 11 at Cape Town Stadium, South Africa this year.
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McGrath added that he has just started to build a team for the 2024 Paris Olympics and it will take time to see perfect results.
"We are not miracle workers, and can't perform magic. We have come a long way in a short time and we shall do better next time."
"Their attitude and efforts are commendable after they threw their bodies on the line."
He promised quarter-final performances going forward ahead of their next assignment, the last leg of the World Sevens Series in Los Angeles.
Shujaa finished second in Group D behind leaders Australia after losing their last match to the Aussies.
Shujaa started the Commonwealth Games on the front foot with a statement 27-14 win over neighbouring rivals Uganda before booking their last four places with a massive 45-0 win over renowned sprinting nation Jamaica in the second match.
With two wins on Friday, Kenya were already assured of a quarterfinal place and faced Australia just to determine who will top the pool heading into the knockout stages.
In the very tight and low-scoring affair, indiscipline mistakes saw Kenya lose their first match in Birmingham after a 7-5 defeat to the Aussies.