Another poor show for Kenya 7s despite return of top players

Jean-Pascal Barraque of France (L) is tackled by Michaek Wanjala of Kenya during their pool match on day one of the USA Sevens Rugby tournament in Las Vegas, Nevada on March 1, 2019. [AFP]

Kenya’s poor form in the 2018-19 World Sevens Series stretched to the Hong Kong tournament as the side failed to reach the Main Cup quarter-finals despite having recalled some of the senior players. 

After slumping to a 22-5 loss to Fiji in the opener, Shujaa met New Zealand yesterday, seeking to bring their campaign back on track but their lacklustre display saw them go down 36-0 in what was a one-sided affair. 

Australia then compounded their misery with a 28-12 win.

As a result, Kenya finished bottom of pool B with three points having scored only three tries while conceding 14 in the pool stage. Shujaa who will face Canada in the Challenge Trophy quarter-finals today, have gone nine matches without a win in the World Sevens Series. 

Against Australia, Shujaa trailed 21-0 at the interval with the Aussies crossing the chalk thrice through Maurice Longbottom, Henry Hutchison and Lachlan Miller while Lewis Holland added the extras with the boot.

Kenya started the second half a more polished side as they played with renewed determination.

Their efforts would pay dividends three minutes into the second half with forward Bush Mwale reducing the deficit with a try which was converted by his Homeboyz teammate Johnstone Olindi.

Shujaa’s hopes of a comeback were thwarted by Hutchison who went over for Australia’s fourth converted try. Captain Jeffrey Oluoch added some respectability to the scoreline by forcing his way to the try line. The Kenyans were forced to see off the match with a numerical disadvantage after Nelson Oyoo was sin-binned.