Kenya Shujaa fall to Australia in Dubai 7s

Kenya Sevens have opened their Dubai Sevens II campaign on a wrong footing after losing against Australia 21-14 in Pool “B” in the second of the two Dubai events which got underway at The Sevens Stadium in the UAE on Friday.

Shujaa, who lost against the same opponent 29-12 in 2014, 14-12 in 2015 and 17-12 in 2016 at group stage and 19-12 in the fifth place semi-final in 2019, fell again, this time to three converted tries scored by Corey Toole (two) and Henry Hutchison.

The USA mauled neighbours Canada 31-14 in another match in this pool with tries from Kevon Williams, Stephen Tomasin and Lucas Lacamp (two each).

Tomasin made four successful conversions. Canada got their consolation try through Thomas Isherwood and Elias Ergas converted by Cooper Coats.  

Signs did not look good for Kenya from the start when they fell behind to a second minute Hutchison try converted by Dietrich Roache.

Alvin “Buffa” Otieno gave his side some hope with a try converted by Anthony Omondi.

However, two quick-fire tries from Toole converted by Roache early in the second half were enough to thwart any efforts for a Kenyan comeback.

Coach Innocent “Namcos” Simiyu’s men did get on the scoreboard once more when Johnstone Olindi scored and converted his own try on 12 minutes. But Australia hang on to their lead to inflict Kenya with their six loss and fourth in a row in the last seven matches from the first two legs of the 2021-2022 World Rugby Sevens Series.

Kenya, who completed the 2021 Series in third place behind winners South Africa and runners-up Great Britain, will meet USA (1.20pm) and Canada (4.46pm) in their remaining matches in their group.

In other matches held so far on December 3, France stunned Olympic champions Fiji 22-17 as Argentina hammered Spain 21-14 in Pool “C” matches.