Another poor outing for 7s national team in Sydney

France's Remi Siega (L) is tackled during the World Rugby Sevens Series match between France and Kenya at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on January 26, 2019. (Photo by MICHAEL BRADLEY / AFP)

Three losses in the preliminaries saw the side drop to Challenge Trophy.

Kenya’s national Sevens team lost all its pool B matches on Saturday at the fourth round of the World Sevens Series in Sydney, Australia.

The underwhelming performance on the first day of the tournament consequently saw Shujaa drop to the Challenge Trophy quarter-finals for the fourth outing in a row.

First for Paul Murunga’s men was Canada, a side that Shujaa had beaten in their last four meetings.

Canada would, however, see off the Kenyan youngsters with a 24-14 win, their first victory over the Kenyans since April 2017.

A lapse in concentration by Kenyan players allowed Cole Davis to score a try for Canada in the second minute before Nathan Hirayama added the extras.

Shujaa hit back instantly with Bush Mwale racing down the right wing to score a try, converted by his Homeboyz teammate Johnstone Olindi.

Canada restored their advantage as Davis sealed his brace with an unconverted try before Connor Braid scored on the stroke of half-time to hand his side a 17-7 lead at half-time.

On resumption, Canada continued to enjoy the lion share of possession but it was Kenya who scored from a well executed penalty which was finished off by Olindi with a converted try between the posts.

Phil Berna would seal the win for Canada, scoring a five-pointer at the death.

Kenya came up against USA in their second match and they struggled to assert themselves against the joint series leaders.

USA, under the tutelage of former Kenya coach Mike Friday, scored four tries and one conversion to take a commanding 22-0 lead at half-time.

The Dubai Sevens champions completed the rout in the second half, scoring three tries and two conversions.

Kenya then faced France in their final pool match, with the Frenchmen securing an emphatic 40-17 win.

It was sweet revenge for France, who lost to Shujaa at the Hamilton Sevens last weekend.

Stephen Parez proved to be Kenya’s tormentor in chief as he helped himself to four tries which included a brace in each half. 

France were quick off the blocks as Parez scored a converted try before Brian Wandera and Vincent Onyala gave Kenya the lead after scoring two tries, one which was converted. 

Parez would ensure that France took a slim 14-12 lead at the interval as he scored his side’s second converted try. 

France emerged for the second half firing from all cylinders and they managed to seal a comfortable win with 26 more points.

Kenya were due to play Wales in the Challenge Trophy this morning.