Rugby: Kenya Sevens conquer USA in Australia, but All Blacks lie in wait
Benson Salem Adoyo of Kenya plays against New Zealand in Group ‘C’ match of Perth Sevens in the third leg of the 2025 World Rugby Sevens series in Perth, Australia, on January 24, 2025.
Kenya Sevens stunned the United States of America 26-21 in a breath-taking semi-final match for ninth place in Perth Sevens, the third leg of the World Rugby Sevens Series, on Saturday in Australia.
Kenya Sevens, christened ‘Shujaa’, are fighting to finish among the top nine teams in the 12-team World Rugby Sevens Series to gurantee themselves survival. The global series features seven tournaments.
Following Saturday’s win, Shujaa will now play New Zealand in a contest for ninth place from 9am (Kenyan time) on Sunday.
Revenge will be on the minds of Kenya Sevens players, having lost to tournament favourites New Zealand 29-14 in a Group ‘C’ match on Friday. Kenya also lost 21-14 to two-time Olympic champions Fiji in Group ‘C’, but recovered to beat Uruguay 19-5 in their last match of the group stage.
On Saturday, Shujaa’s co-captain, George Ooro, and talisman Patrick Odongo each landed a brace of tries, and Floyd Wabwire added another as the team led 12-7 at the break.
Anthony Omondi then made two conversions for Shujaa, and Nygel Amaitsa curled over a conversion of his own as Kenya took full charge of the match.
Shujaa pulled ahead 21-7 after Ooro completed his double, and Anthony Omondi added the extras, only for USA to rally from behind for a 21-14 scoreline.
New Zealand beat Ireland 42-5 in the other semi-final match for ninth place.
On Friday, the team’s sponsors SportPesa announced Sh9 million in match bonuses for the players. SportPesa’s Chief Executive Officer, Ronald Karauri, said the company is firmly behind Kenya Sevens as the team’s primary partner.
“We wish the team all the best. We are confident that the team will raise Kenya’s flag even higher globally,”Mr Karauri said in a statement on Friday evening.
“You have done it before, and nothing stops you from doing it this time round.”
As per the team’s sponsorship contract, each member of the 18-man squad stands to earn Sh100,000 in bonuses for Cup victory, Sh75,000 for a runners-up finish, and Sh50,000 for third place. A fourth place will secure each player in the team Sh32,000, fifth place will fetch each player Sh20,000, and sixth place finish will come with a bonus windfall of Sh15,000.
The World Rugby Sevens Series started in Dubai on November 30 to December 1, 2024, before moving to Cape Town in South Africa from December 7 to 8.
Teams are currently competing in Perth Sevens in Australia, from where they will compete in Vancouver Sevens in Canada from February 12 to 13, followed by the season-ending Hong Kong Sevens from March 28 to 30.
Kenya Sevens finished seventh at Cape Town Sevens, and wound up 10th in Dubai Sevens. Shujaa currently lie ninth in the series with 11 points.
