Fresha Oduor scored two tries as Kenya Lionesses narrowly defeated rivals South Africa 17-14 in the women’s play off to remain in the newly created second tier competition of the World Rugby Sevens World Series.

It was South Africa who were fast off the blocks when Nadine Roos pounced on a spilled ball by the Lionesses to run unchallenged under the posts. She converted for a 7-0 lead. Oduor replied with an unconverted try after a good run by skipper Grace Okulu.

Just before the break, Sharon Okumu scored the second try for the lead to change hands 10-7 in Kenya’s favor at the break South Africa replied with a converted try to lead 14-10.

Oduor came to the rescue of the Lionesses with a crucial try just before the final whistle. This was the second and crucial win for the women’s team whose only other win was against Colombia at the pool stage.

Lionesses Inspired Shujaa

Shujaa who played after the women’s team was also inspired by the win as they overran Canada 24-5 in the men’ play off. In this match, Tony Omondi scored two tries from an identical spot. 

The first try scored on the left side of the pitch was set up by the co-captain Samuel Asati. His second at the same spot was converted by Nygel Amaitsa as Shujaa led 12-0. Vincent Onyala was next over and Amaitsa converted for a 19-0 lead at half time.

On resumption, Onyala dotted his second after running on the blind from an Amaitsa pass from the ruck. Canada replied with a late try but the result was already decided.

Coach Reaction

Both coaches Dennis Mwanja and Kevin Wambua said the result was a a big boost after a slow start on Saturday.

Mwanja was visibly unhappy following the narrow win over Colombia in the last pool match. “We did not play according to structure and nearly threw a game we would have comfortably won. Players resorted to individualistic performance,” he stated. 

He predicted a tough match against South Africa but felt confident that their recent wins over their fierce rivals would prevail. It did as the Lionesses rallied from behind to win.

But the former Kenya assistant captain was also not happy with how his team has been largely ignored despite a good performance this season. “Playing against teams that had featured in the Series exposed the hard work that we have to do. In the Challenger Series, we could escape with some mistakes but not on the big stage,” he observed.

No Recognition

While Shujaa were rewarded for their sterling performance in Singapore, the Lionesses were left wondering how much they had to do to receive any recognition.

On his part, Wambua said itt has been hard to motivate the players after a slow start. “But we slowly built up. We had wanted to beat the USA to avoid the play-off but turned up against Canada and played their best rugby this weekend,” the coach stated.

He summarized the performance in LA as a continuing process to build a solid squad for the ‘new’ second tier competition. “This is a good chance to continue on what we have been working for and push for competition in the top tier,” he added.

Regional Qualification

By remaining in the second tier competition, Kenya shall continue to receive limited funding from World Rugby. South Africa and Argentina have now dropped to the regional qualification.

It gets more complex to join the top tier teams who are expected to play in six tournaments while the second tier teams play ion only three. The top four teams from the tier two competition shall face the top eight in a 12-team competition with the top eight finishers remaining in the top tier.

Pools

Men

Pool A: Kenya, USA, Portugal, Samoa

Pool B: Uruguay, Ireland, Canada, Germany

Women

Pool A: Brazil, Spain, Kenya, Columbia..

Pool B: China, Ireland, South Africa, Argentina

Match results

Men: Ireland 15 Germany 0, Uruguay 27 Canadá 7, Kenya 12 Samoa 19, USA 26 Portugal 10, Ireland 12 Canada 19, Uruguay 36 Germany 14, USA 25 Samoa 19, Kenya 26 Portugal 14, USA 17 Kenya 12, Portugal 12 Samoa 21, Germany 17 Canada 22, Uruguay 27 Ireland 12.

Play off quarter final: Kenya 24 Canada 5; Samoa 0 Germany 31.

Women: Ireland 7 South Africa 12, China 25 Argentina 0, Spain 33 Kenya 14, Brazil 45 Colombia 12, Ireland 12 Argentina 20, China 26 South Africa 12, Spain 17 Colombia 12, Brazil 28 Kenya 10, South Africa 17 Argentina 14, China 19 Ireland 15, Kenya 7 Colombia 5, Brazil 14 Spain 5. 

Play off quarter final: Kenya 17 South Africa 14; Spain 28 Argentina 0.

Championship

Men: Spain 10 Australia 15, Fiji 12 New Zealand 17, South Africa 19 France 10, Argentina 33 Great Britain 26, Spain 7 New Zealand 5, Fiji 14 Australia 15, South Africa 12 Great Britain 7, Argentina 17 France 12, France 24 Great Britain 10, Argentina 21 South Africa 29.

Cup semi final: Spain 29 Argentina 5; South Africa 26 New Zealand 5; Play-off: Argentina 17 New Zealand 38; Final: South Africa 19 Spain 5.

Fifth place play-off: France 33 Australia 7.

Seventh place playoff: Great Britain 31 Fiji 19.

Women: Canada 26 Japan 0, New Zealand 41 Great Britain 12, France 5 USA 19, Australia 26 Fiji 5, Canada 26 Great Britain 17, New Zealand 50 Japan 7, France 22 Fiji 26, Australia 33 USA 12, Japan 7 Great Britain 34, New Zealand 41 Canada 5, Australia 19 New Zealand 21, Fiji 12 Spain 24, Australia 33 France 17, USA 31 Fiji 19.

Cup semi-final: Australia 33 Canada 7; New Zealand 34 USA 7; Play-off: Canada 27 USA 7; Final: New Zealand 31 Australia 7.  

Fifth place play-off: Great Britain 14 Fiji 46.

Seventh place play off: Japan 29 France 17.