Rugby: Kenya tounce Tonga, but drop to Bowl slot

BY BS MULAVI

Oscar Ouma (right) fends off Fale So’oialo of Samoa in their pool match during the New Zealand Rugby Sevens in Wellington, yesterday. [PHOTO: AFP]

A 40-7 trouncing of Tonga in Wellington was not enough to vindicate Kenya, who again slumped to the Bowl competition for the second consecutive tournament in the IRB Sevens Circuit.

Wellington is the fifth leg of the circuit and Kenyans have on the first three rounds been able to qualify for the Main Cup quarterfinals of the tournaments. But the trend has since nose-dived with Kenya following up their horror showing in USA with yet another dismal showing in New Zealand.

Africa’s most celebrated side, was unable to capture the hearts of the audience in Wellington, losing 24-12 to Samoa in the early kick-off and following that up with a 24-0 loss to Australia. These two losses meant that Kenya crushed to the Bowl competition despite beating minnows Tonga 40-7 in a one-sided final group game of the first day.

Speaking to IRB.com after the first day, Treu said: “Disappointing day, this is not where we want to be. Two rounds in a row where we didn’t qualify for the Cup, but I think there are lessons for the players. Our error rate, it is incredible to think, we can’t play without the ball and sometimes we have it and give it straight away. But valuable lessons learnt, and I am glad we could finish the day on a high.”

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The two losses and single victory meant Kenya booked a date with Portugal in the Bowl quarterfinals at 3.44am today. Treu had warned of difficult times when he took over the team in November, saying he was concentrating on long-term goals and consistency of the team. Most fans were okay with this plan given that Kenya showed consistency in his first two outings with the team in Dubai and South Africa where they reached the Plate semi-finals.

However, pressure is steadily mounting as the team recently sank lower than their initial benchmark of a quarter-final appearance. The situation is compounded by the fact that Treu’s predecessor, Mike Friday, produced instant results with the team, taking Kenya to their highest tally ever in the circuit, by registering 99 points last season.

Ironically, Wellington was the venue where Friday recorded his great achievement with the team, getting them to the final of the competition by beating South Africa and hosts New Zealand along the way.