Kenya’s return to the World Rugby Sevens Series as a core team shall be decided on Sunday when they play against Germany in the quarter finals at the Civitas Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid, Spain.

The lineup for the knockout stage was completed on Saturday after which the eight teams were ranked according to the points scored. Other teams gunning for the four available slots are USA who completed their Pool A matches unbeaten. They face Samoa while Uruguay, winners of the three leg Challenger Series tackle Chile as Canada battle it out with Spain.

In the women’s category, China are likely to be confirmed as a core team when they play Belgium. Hosta Spain have a re-match against hosts Spain, Japan face Argentina and Poland tackle Brazil.

Kenya 36 Chile 7

Kevin Wambua, Kenya 7s coach said it was one of the best performances he has ever seen after the team put up a clinical performance to beat Chile 36-7 in the last Pool B match on Saturday.

Speaking exclusively to Sports News Arena at the Civitas Metropolitano Stadium, the coach said the win showed Kenya’s great potential when they played with confidence and urgency. “The results give us a lot of confidence before the final day,” the coach stated.

He recalled that the match against Samoa on the opening day set the pace. “We blew hot and cold in that match,” Wambua said. 

Come Sunday, the coach was confident of another good show. At the time of the interview, Kenya’s opponents had not been determined because Spain and Samoa were still playing. “The players are confident going into the last day and we shall be ready,” he assured. 

Physical approach

Against Chile, Kenya barely gave their opponents room to use their physical approach and run the ball wide. John Okoth scored twice within a space of three minutes at the left corner to give Shujaa a 10-0 lead. 

Although Chile replied with a converted try by Cristobal Game in the fifth minute, Shujaa, playing on a Madaraka Day, roared back when Chrisant Ojwang scored the third try. They did not relent scoring additional tries through Samuel Asati, Vincent Onyala and George Ooro.

Anthony Odongo kicked over one conversion and Nygel Amaitsa added two. 

Spain defeated Samoa 31-0 in the last Pool B game.

Quarter finals schedule

Men: USA v Samoa, Germany v Kenya, Uruguay v Chile, Canada v Spain

Women: China v Belgium, Spain v South Africa, Japan v Argentina, Poland v Brazil.

Day two results

Qualifiers

Men: Uruguay 24 Germany 14, USA 14 Canada 7, Kenya 36 Chile 7, Spain 31 Samoa 0.

Women: Argentina 19 Belgium 14, Brazil 24 South Africa 0, ​​China 40 Poland 0, Japan 26 Spain 14.