In New York
New York, for the first time, hosted one of the legs of the SVNS Series from March 14 to 15 at the 25,000-capacity Sports Illustrated Stadium, Harrison.
New Zealand claimed a fifth SVNS Series title in six seasons, edging out Australia 22-21 in the final.
Kenya Shujaa fans rally behind the team against USA during the World Rugby HSBC Division Two Rugby tournament at Nyayo National Stadium on February 15, 2026.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
Surprisingly, even without Kenya Shujaa in competition, the famous “Kenya Corner” was in the house, albeit a diminished one.
Spotted in that unapologetically loud and lively crowd were rugby pundit and content creator Andrew Babu, former Kenya and Quins scrum half Martin Ndeda, ex-Quins centre Ernest “Marine” Gikonyo and Major League Rugby (MLR) superstar Monate Akuei who now plays for the New York Old Blue Rugby club.
“I’m delighted to be in New York for the rugby and to also see all the Kenyans here for the event even though Kenya is in the tier two series. Kenyans love their sevens rugby,” said Monate.
Many Kenya Corner regulars drove long distances to come to New York not only to witness high quality sevens rugby, but to meet and network with friends and loved ones as the hoped for a Kenya return to Division One. Kenya are this weekend battling in the SVNS Division Two second leg in Montevideo, Uruguay.
“Marine” Gikonyo, who also registered caps with Kenya Simbas, said that many fans at the stadium in New York, were asking him when Kenya will be back for the World Sevens Series.
Gikonyo, a truly ardent fan of rugby, made the three-hour drive from Baltimore Maryland to New York on Saturday morning in time for the New York sevens extravaganza.
“I came with my son. We are here mainly to watch the games because we love rugby. It’s always good to be around the sevens community. I was wearing my Kenya jersey and attracting questions of when Kenya will be back. People truly miss Kenya in the series. The tournament would feel even better with Shujaa participating. I don’t think the New York cold would have stopped Kenyan fans from showing up either. I will be going to Sao Paulo Brazil for the Division Two series. Other Kenyans will do the same.”
Kenya Shujaa fans rally behind the team against USA during the World Rugby HSBC Division Two Rugby tournament at Nyayo National Stadium on February 15, 2026.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
Priscah, who is based in New York, was at Sports Illustrated Stadium in full force.
“The experience at the stadium has been really exciting so far, the atmosphere is fantastic and the matches have been quite entertaining,” she said.
“We are quite a number of Kenyans here. The Kenyan presence has definitely been felt even without the team playing.”
Like Gikonyo, Duncan Wakhu made the three-hour road trip from Delaware to New York for the sevens with his son. Duncan has adopted Fiji and South Africa’s Blitzboks as his favourite teams in the absence of Kenya.
After Montevideo, the Division Two series will move to Sao Paulo, Brazil next weekend where the top four teams will advance to the three-leg World Championship that will decide the world sevens champion.
