The match against Chile will be crucial to Kenya Shujaa’s chances or reclaiming their place as a core team in the World Rugby Sevens World Series next season.

A win shall determine who they play against in the cup quarter finals. According to the format, the eight teams shall be ranked after the completion of Pool Stage for the knock-out quarter final stage. Winners of the quarter final will automatically qualify for next season’s core status.

On the opening day, Spain and the USA set the pace winning their two matches and appear certain to finish as the top teams. The USA, coached by Mike Friday barely broke a sweat in their 40-17 win over Series’ hopefuls Germany. They followed this with another big 29-19 over Uruguay. The rest of the teams have one win each. 

Tough battle

The battle for a favorable finish in Pool B has been tough. Samoa dropped off the pace after losing their opening two matches to Spain and Chile. When play resumes on Saturday at the home of Atletico Madrid Football, Kenya face Chile while hosts Spain, who have played a near flawless game tackle Samoa.

In the second match against Spain, Kenya controlled possession superbly in the opening exchanges before conceding a try to Spain because of a defensive blunder. They doubled they scores by touching down at the right hand corner.

They were unrelenting, scoring another try just before the break. Vincent Onyala scored the lone try for Shujaa. 

In the men’s championship, the competition is just warming up. Fiji appears to have slowly regained their composure after narrowly beating New Zealand 28-26. 

Kenya 19 Samoa 12

Kenya’s Shujaa got off their campaign with a gritty 19-12 win over Samoa at the Civitas Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid Spain on Friday.

Playing before a vocal support by their traveling fans, Shujaa got off to a plucky start when Vincent Onyala intercepted a pass and ran unchallenged under the posts. Anthony Odongo converted for a 7-0 lead. 

Patrick Odongo was next over from a pass by Samuel Asati. Odongo missed the conversion. Samoa came back with intent and were rewarded by a try from Motu Opetai which Elisapeta Alofipo converted. 

Level scores

Just before the break, Tuna Tuitama scored the second try to level the scores 12-12 at the break.

On resumption, Shujaa won a turnover but were unable to breach the Samoa line after conceding a penalty. Onyala broke through but was stopped in the 22. Shortly after, Patrick Odongo scored his second try after a powerful run to stretch the lead 19-12. 

Samoa fought back bravely but knocked on the ball against a six-man Shujaa who next face hosts Spain, 29-12 winners over Chile

Results

Qualifiers

Women: South Africa 24 Argentina 7, Brazil 45 Belgium 5, South Africa 40 Belgium 7, Brazil 31 Argentina 12, Spain 7 China 12, Poland 0 Japan 32, Spain 45 Poland 0, China 17 Japan 14

Men: Canada 7 Uruguay 41, USA 40 Germany 19, Canada 14 Germany 19, USA 29 Uruguay 19,  Samoa 12 Kenya 19, Spain 29 Chile 12, Samoa 19 Chile 21, 

Championship

Women: France 36 Fiji 7, Australia 33 Ireland 14, USA 26 Canada 19, New Zealand 49 Great Britain 14. 

Men: New Zealand 26 Fiji 28, Ireland 26 South Africa 21, Australia 5 France 38. Argentina 31 Great Britain 5.