A Devastating Blow: Kenya Drops Out of World Rugby Sevens Series
The national sevens rugby team was eliminated from the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series after Sunday’s 12-7 loss to Canada in the playoff final at London’s Twickenham Stadium.
The Kenyans have lost their status as a core team in the elite sevens series of international rugby for the first time in 20 years.
The four-team relegation playoff, which is part of the HSBC London 7s, the eleventh and final stop of the men’s season, is a result of the World Series reducing the number of men’s teams from 16 to 12 for the upcoming season to align with the women’s competition and the Olympic field.
Japan, the 15th-place team in the standings, was demoted after the tournament in Toulouse, France last weekend.
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Thus, No. 12 Uruguay, No. 13 Kenya, No. 14 Canada, and World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series champion Tonga remained in the round-robin relegation playoff.
Kenya maintained hope after advancing to the final based on point differential despite losing 14-10 to Uruguay.
Despite early tense exchanges between the two teams, Nelson Oyoo, the captain of Shujaa, was the first to cross the goal line after Billy Odhiambo’s impressive play. Tony Omondi’s conversion made the score 7-0.
However, tragedy struck as Kenya lost the impressive Kevin Wekesa to injury, and Canada dominated possession from that point on.
They scored their first try through Josiah Morra, and Brock Webster added the extra points for a 7-7 tie at halftime.
Both teams continued to search for a victory throughout the second half.
John Okeyo’s dismissal for two minutes added to Shujaa’s problems. Alex Russell scored a touchdown to give Canada a 12-7 lead in the dying seconds of the match, capitalizing on Canada’s numerical advantage.
Despite regaining possession following Canada’s restart kick, Okeyo was unable to capitalize as Canada regained possession and kicked the ball out to maintain their status.
A Devastating Blow: Kenya Drops Out of World Rugby Sevens Series
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