Kenya sevens rugby national team will be seeking to redeem
themselves at the Hong Kong sevens on March 28-30, 2025 after finishing bottom
at the HSBC world sevens series in
Vancouver, Canada.
However, Shujaa have to navigate through a tough pool C
alongside Spain, Great Britain and France at the Kai Tak Stadium, with a knockout
rounds ticket at stake.
Kevin Wambua’s boys are currently at position nine after
four circuits with 15 points same as 10th-placed Uruguay.
They are staring at relegation after failing to win a single
match in Vancouver. Shujaa suffered a 19-14 loss to Ireland in the 11th-place
playoff at BK Arena, Canada.
Vincent Onyala gave Shujaa a first-minute try converted by
Antony Omondi for a 7-0 advantage.
However, Dylan O’Grady replied for the Irishmen with a
double-converted try for a 14-7 lead.
Shujaa used numerical advantage through captain Samuel Asati
‘s converted try for a 14-14 score after Ireland had a man yellow carded.
However, Bryan Mollen broke Shujaa’s heart with a late try
to ensure they ended the tournament without a victory.
This was Shujaa’s lowest finish since returning to the World
Sevens Series under head coach Kevin “Bling” Wambua this season, having been relegated
on 22 May 2023.
Before their departure to Vancouver, core captain Samuel
Asati had clearly said they were looking to survive heat this season by
avoiding relegation, before targeting the quarter-finals and semifinals next
season.
Head coach Kelvin Wambua echoed Asati’s sentiments saying things have really changed at the HSBC
sevens and it will take them time to match the big boys, and they aimed to stay
on board.
Meanwhile, Argentina beat South Africa 19-12 in the cup
finals to win the Vancouver title, while Australia clinched third place playoffs with a 26- 12 victory over Japan
Argentina tops the table with 68 points followed by Spain,
Fiji and South Africa in that order, while ninth-placed Kenya is ahead of
Uruguay, the USA and Ireland in the relegation battle.
Hong Kong 7s Pools
Pool A: Argentina, Fiji, USA, Ireland
Pool B: South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Uruguay
Pool C: Spain, Great Britain, France, Kenya 7s
