Lacklustre Kenya fall to Argentina
Willy Ambaka of Kenya is tackled by Santiago Mare of Argentina during the Sydney World Rugby Sevens Series tournament in Sydney on January 26, 2018. PHOTO | MARK EVANS |
What you need to know:
- Tough task awaits coach Simiyu’s charges in Sydney.
- Shujaa must beat France, Wales on Saturday to reach Cup quarters from Group B.
Dominant Kenya Sevens blew up myriad of chances to lose to Argentina 7-5 in their opening match of Pool “B” in Sydney World Rugby Sevens Series at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.
Kenya must now beat France and Wales at 7.25am and 11.36am respectively on Saturday if they are to qualify for main Cup quarter-finals.
Kenya Sevens, popularly known as Shujaa, finished 14th in Sydney last year after losing to Canada 10-5 in the final for 13th place.
Despite kneading 19 passes against one, Shujaa conceded a try, with Argentina’s Gaston Revol claiming credit against the run of play.
Shujaa, coached by Innocent Simiyu, lost possession in the Pumas 22 metres area when Revol snatched the ball from the ruck and followed through on his kick over the Kenyan defence.
Revol picked the ball and paced to score and convert as Pumas led 7-0 at the break as Shujaa players lacked the confidence to slice through their opponents’ defence, and lost possession easily.
Shujaa dominated after the restart but poor decision-making and individualistic style of playing proved their main bane.
Nevertheless, former skipper Andrew Amonde picked the ball outside the ruck from an ensuing Shujaa attack to score a try, but Eden Agero’s attempted conversion hit the post. Argentina stood firm to wade Shujaa’s attack for the slim win.
In the same group, France started their campaign with a 31-12 win over Wales.
Kenya had lost to France 21-14 in the preliminaries in Cape Town leg of the series in December despite leading in the match. That was the last time Shujaa took on France, and today’s match offers the team a chance to redeem itself.
Shujaa last met Wales in London Sevens last season, beating the former world champions 28-17 in the pool stage. Shujaa went into Sydney Sevens lying 11th overall with 13 points in the World Rugby Sevens Series standings.
France are placed eighth with 18 points, having won Challenge Trophy in the season-opening Dubai Sevens before reaching the semi-final for fifth place in Cape Town. Wales are 14th with eight points.
