Germany and Argentina, winners of the opening leg of the World Rugby Tier 2 Sevens tournament in Nairobi, are keen to continue the momentum to the next two events in Uruguay and Brazil next month.

In Nairobi, the Germans who are culturally known for their efficiency and attention to detail defied all odds to finish top of the pack while a three-year development program is bearing fruits for Argentina. Following their win against the USA that secured them the top spot, Germany had a moment to reflect on their achievement. 

Tim Litchenberg, the captain who was playing in Nairobi for only the second time admitted they did not expect to win but promised to carry the impetus to the next two tournaments. Coached by Pablo Feijo, the team vowed to lead from the front.

Team Clarity

Also returning to the city where he debuted for the junior Eagles, Zack Test, the new USA 7s coach reaped from experience gleaned in Fiji where the team competed at the Fiji Coral Sevens. He summed up their runners-up position in Nairobi explaining the Fiji Coral Sevens gave the team clarity. “What the trip reinforced is that our success comes down to consistency,” he stated.

It is this consistency they hope to replicate in the remaining two tournaments in Uruguay and Brazil. “We took for granted the game against Germany. What makes elite teams great is how you respond,” Test observed. They demonstrated the response with a world-class performance against Kenya.

“This was a great start for the boys but we still have a lot of work to do. The strength of the group is how we come together. We had a couple of slip ups against Uruguay where we had a slow start,” the coach noted.

Ultimately, the USA believes consistency is key to finishing among the top four teams and laying a claim to a return to the top tier. “Our focus isn’t chasing outcomes; it’s building repeatable performances that show up moment to moment and game to game,” he added.

Hard Work

Argentina’s Sofia Gonzalez who was named as player of the tournament said in an interview that the win was a result of hard work for the past three years “We’ve been doing a lot of hard work,” she stated. 

There is no room for complacency. After a brief rest Argentina will review the matches and look into areas that need improvement before the next tournaments in Uruguay and Brazil. 

Nadine Roos, who captained the South Africa team who inflicted the only defeat to the winners Argentina acknowledged losing a crucial game against Brazil. The Africa champions conceded several penalties against Argentina before winning in extra time.

Winning against Kenya was a big boost. “Kenya is always a good and tough opponent. It is good to see their continued growth since playing them at the Africa Cup 7s,” Roos recalled. For the next two tournaments, South Africa is keen to stay in the hunt.

Bumpy Start

Cecil Afrika, the new coach who remembered starting his playing career at Safari Sevens in 2006 shared the experience with his players. He acknowledged a bumpy start against Spain but silenced the Kenya fans with a narrow win.

Although Afrika took time to catch up with former Kenya players, he was proud of his team, a testimony to their charge for promotion to the top tier. “The action has been fast and furious and a brutal test of character to the players.” His message to the players was to stick to the game plan and noted the matches against Kenya and Argentina were the toughest. 

The competition takes a break before landing in Uruguay and Brazil next month.

Standings

Men: Germany 20, USA 18, Kenya 16, Uruguay, Belgium, CanadaWomen: Argentina 20, South Africa 18, Spain 16, China 14, Kenya, Brazil.