Shujaa in Pool B of Dubai 7s II

Kenya Shujaa have been drawn with Coach Mike Friday’s USA again in the second event of the 2021/22 World Rugby Sevens Series (Dubai II) slated for December 3 to 4.

Shujaa, who finished Dubai Sevens I in position eight with 10 points, will also face Australia and Canada in Pool “B”.

Pool “A” comprises Dubai I winners South Africa alongside Great Britain, Ireland and Japan, while Argentina, Fiji, France and Spain complete Pool “C”.

Much was expected from Coach Innocent “Namcos” Simiyu’s men in Dubai Sevens I after completing the two-leg 2021 Series in third place behind champions South Africa and runners-up Great Britain.

However, Shujaa won just one match out of the six the team played. 

Shujaa began their campaign with losses against the USA 14-7 and Argentina 22-17 before winding the Pool “B” matches with an emphatic 26-12 win against Spain.

This victory along with France’s 24-14 win against Canada in Pool “A” matches saw Kenya sneak into the Cup quarter-finals as the second third best team behind Ireland.

Kenya was blown away by Fiji in the second half, losing 19-5 in the quarter-final to drop into the ranking matches for positions five to eight.

Here, Kenya again suffered 33-5 thrashing from Great Britain in the fifth place semi-final before being outwitted by Ireland 29-7 in the seventh place final.

“Not the best performance in Dubai Sevens I but we take the lessons and prepare for the next weekend (Dubai Sevens II),” Simiyu told Nation Sport on Saturday night after admitting his boys made a lot of unforced errors.

Standings after Dubai Sevens I

1. South Africa - 22 points

2. USA - 19

3. Argentina - 17

4. Fiji - 15

5. Australia - 13

6. Great Britain - 12

7. Ireland - 11

8. Kenya - 10

9. France - 8

10. Canada - 7

11. Spain - 6

12. Japan - 5