Dennis Mwanja, the Kenya Lionesses Sevens coach is keen to have more consistency ahead of the next two tournaments of the World Rugby Challenger Sevens series.

In an interview with www.thesportsnewsarena.com from Dubai where the Lionesses finished second to China, Mwanja stated that despite achieving their goal of reaching the semi-final, consistency in the remaining tournaments was their top agenda. “In this tournament, we set some goals. One of them was to make it to the semis,” the coach stated.

The Challenger Series has given most of the players an opportunity to gain more experience and confidence by playing at a big stage. As a result, the technical bench has been able to try different combinations and playing patterns. 

During the three days in Dubai, the Lionesses’ structures, defense and physicality carried the day. As a result, Mwanja and his assistant Paul Murunga have identified key areas for improvement. These include the setpieces and restarts which were not fluid in the final against China. “We need to polish our setpieces and poor reception which let us down,” Mwanja explained. 

Happy with performance

Overall, Mwanja was happy with the performance acknowledging China was their toughest opponent. “They have good structure but with composure, we are capable of beating any team,” Mwanja added.

The coach looked back at the opening two days when Kenya narrowly lost to Czechia before stepping up in the closing two days. “Going forward, the players need to build up on their confidence and this tournament has helped toward this. The team work, coordination will come with more exposure,” Mwanja observed.

Some of the players who were outstanding in Dubai were Stella Wafula, Judith Okumu, Sharon Auma and Grace Okulu. There is no let up as Kenya Lionesses continue the steep learning curve at each tournament. The environment is good for growth and the players are able to learn and enjoy their time on the pitch. “There is no substitute for experience,” the former Kenya Sevens player stated.

Second place

Kenya Lionesses finished second in the women’s category losing 5-19 to China whom they had beaten 17-12 at the pool stage. Yan Meiling opened the scores for China in the first minute and Chen Keyi converted for a 7-0 lead. Dou Xinrong doubled the score in the fourth and Gu Yaoyao added the extras to stretch the lead 14-0. 

Just before the break, Sharon Auma scored the only unconverted try for the Lionesses. Keyi landed China’s third try in the seventh minute. In the semi-final, Kenya blanked Argentina 17-0. Judith Okumu opened teh scores in the fifth minute while Argentina’s Sofia was yellow-carded in the third minute. Sinaida Nyachio missed the conversion. 

In the second half, Naomi Amuguni added the second try for the Lionesses. Nyachio converted to stretch the lead 12-0. It was Nyachio’s turn to cross the line in the 11th minute. Grace Okulu missed the conversion but Kenya were through to the final of the cup competition. China overran Uganda 45-5 in the other semi-final. In the third place play-off, Argentina beat Uganda 36-10.

Motevideo is next

The teams will head to Montevideo, Uruguay for the second tournament from March 8-10 before the third tournament on May 18 and 19 where the women will play in Krakow Poland and the men in Munich, Germany. 

At the conclusion of the three Challenger Series, the four top teams in each category proceed to Spain for the promotion and relegation tournament where they will play against the bottom four teams of the World Rugby Sevens World Series. 

Full results

Pool A: Belgium, Thailand, Uganda, Papua New Guinea.

Thailand 15 Papua New Guinea 0, Belgium 14 Uganda 7, Thailand 19 Uganda 7, Belgium 31 PNG 10, PNG 17 Uganda 24, Belgium 17 Thailand 7.

Pool B: Czechia, Kenya, China, Mexico.

Czech 34 Mexico 0, China 12 Kenya 17, Czech 12 Kenya 10, China 64 Mexico 0, Mexico 0 Kenya 40, China 30 Czech 7. 

Pool C: Argentina, Poland, Hong Kong China, Paraguay.

Hong Kong China 17 Paraguay 0, Poland 12 Argentina 19, Hong Kong China 0 Argentina 19, Poland 45 Paraguay 5, Paraguay 12 Argentina 33, Poland 33 Hong Kong China 0.

Quarter final: China 31 Poland 10, Belgium 12 Uganda 17, Argentina 22 Thailand 12, Kenya 22 Czechia 12; Semi-final: China 45 Uganda 5, Argentina 0 Kenya 17; Final: China 19 Kenya 5.

3rd place play-off: Uganda 10 Argentina 36.

5th place play-off: Poland 5 Belgium 10

7th place playoff: Thailand 31 Czechia 12

9th place semi final: PNG 33 Paraguay 26, Hong Kong China 22 Mexico 10; Final: PNG 31 Mexico Hong Kong China 0.

11th place play-off: Paraguay 12 Mexico 5