Kenya fails to defend Singapore Sevens title

Shujaas opened the eighth round of the World Rugby Sevens on a high note, winning two matches, losing one in pool C. Kenya thrashed Argentina 22-7, lost to Australia 29-7 before registering a 17-7 win over Samoa on Saturday, to qualify for the Main Cup quarters for the second time this season.

Innocent Simiyu-coached side was to play against England in the Main Cup quarters, but unfortunately, Kenya’s title defense hopes came crashing down after bowing out in a narrow 12-13 loss to the Lions.

Samuel Oliech and Frank Wanyama tries had seen the Englishmen trail right from the first half. But as to what many as controversial referring from the Welsh referee Craig Evans, who awarded England two late penalties after full time.

Due to this, Kenya dropped to the Plate semis where she was edged out by New Zealand 21-24 to settle fifth. Derrick Mayar scored his first ever try in the World Rugby Sevens but it counted a little to overturn the final result.

Kenya still retains 11th position with 57 points after garnering ten points in Singapore-the highest ever in all rounds.
Canada won their first ever title in the HSBC Sevens after beating USA 26-19 to claim gold in Singapore. Canada rose to the seventh position, while South Africa, Fiji and England top the table in that order.

Kenya Sevens will face Singapore’s bronze medalists England, France and newbies Spain in Paris in May 13-14.
Below are all the pools:

POOL A
Canada
South Africa
Scotland
Japan

POOL B
USA
New Zealand
Wales
Argentina

POOL C
England
Kenya
France
Spain

POOL D
Australia
Fiji
Samoa
Russia