WHAT WENT WRONG? Taking stock of Kenya Sevens' performance after Dubai leg

Kenya's Shujaa William Ambaka holds off a challenge from Rwanda's player during their 2016 Safari Sevens match at Kasarani Stadium on Sept. 24, 2016.[PHOTO:DENNIS OKEYO/STANDARD]

Kenya are 12th in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens following a disappointing outing in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The national Sevens team bagged only five points and had 14 tries, but failed to contain United States of America in the semi-final of the Challenge Trophy.

Willy Ambaka scored five tries, Nelson Oyoo added three more, while Billy ‘the kid’ Odhiambo, Dan Sikuta, Cyprian Kuto, Augustine Lugonzo, Leonard Mugaisi and Frank Wanyama scored a try each.

Debutant Brian Tanga converted five times, followed by Augustine Lugonzo with two in the Dubai quest.

Meanwhile, Kenya has once more been pooled with France and Japan, ahead of next week’s Cape Town Sevens in South Africa. Japan was the only team Kenya defeated at the group stage in Dubai. Kenya lost to France in the season opener. Olympic gold medalists Fiji, who lost to South Africa on Sunday, are the fourth team in Pool B.

Dubai leg winners South Africa are in Pool A with Australia, USA and Russia, ahead of the second leg of World Rugby Sevens Series in Cape Town. England are in Pool C alongside New Zealand, Argentina and Canada, while Uganda will play Wales, Scotland and Samoa in Pool D.

Uganda shocked Japan on Sunday with a 26-19 victory, their first-ever in the world rugby Sevens series.

Kabras Sugar’s Philip Wokorach starred for Uganda.

“We had a game plan against Japan –play at our pace and frustrate them.”