- Shujaa finished second in Group D after losing to Australia
- The All Blacks finished top of their pool
- The quarter finals are set for Saturday night
Kenya Sevens will take on New Zealand in the quarter finals of the Commonwealth Games after finishing second in Group D following a narrow 7-5 loss to Australia in their final pool match.
Shujaa went to the last game of the groups off successful back to back wins against Uganda and Jamaica, but they couldn’t get over the line losing a 5-0 lead against the Aussies.
The defeat saw them book the All Blacks, who annihilated hosts England 20-0 to earn a place in the last eight.
Shujaa had won their opening game 27-14 against Uganda before thrashing Jamaica 45-0 in their second match. Heading into the second day, they face Australia in the last group match to determine the winner.
Otieno scores Kenya’s lone try
Bush Mwale in action for Kenya against Jamaica. PHOTO/Team Kenya
Alvin ‘Buffa’ Otieno scored Kenya’s lone try in the opening half after Australia were reduced to six men. Mark Nawaqanitawase was sin binned for a lifting tackle and Shujaa elected to go for the scrum, some patient build up seeing Otieno find space on the left to dot down.
Shujaa managed to hold on to the lead till the break, despite Bush Mwale’s sin bin that saw Kenya go to a man less in the final three minutes of the half.
In the second half, Shujaa had an early advantage when Nathan Lawson was red carded for a tackle in the air off the restart, but they couldn’t make the most of it again.
It was the Australians who would strike next, Corey Toole side-stepped to earn himself space and sneak into the try box, Dietrich Roache added the twos as the Aussies went into the lead.
Shujaa had a chance to win the game after the buzzer when they won possession, but couldn’t break the Australian backline despite twice winning penalties and electing to go for the scrum.
Earlier on, the team had annihilated Jamaica, going for points without conceding.
Shujaa rampant against Jamaica
Willy Ambaka and Daniel Taabu in action against Jamaica. PHOTO/Team Kenya
Skipper Nelson Oyoo, Vincent Onyala, Daniel Taabu and Willy Ambaka crossed over to give Shujaa a 24-0 halftime lead. The Kenyan boys went on with the dominance in the second half with Kevin Wekesa dotting down his second try of the tournament before Bush Mwale added another and Levy Amunga converting.
Alvin Otieno then wound up the massive victory with a late converted try as Shujaa cruised.
“It was a great game and we won without conceding which is a great thing. We just wanted to get our rhythm and it was nice for everyone to get some minutes under the tank,” said coach Damian McGrath.
He added; “Now the competition starts with the knockout phases. When you get into any competition, you must be ready for anyone and we expect a tough game from the quarters.”
Willy Ambaka has meanwhile said the players look sharp and raring to go and is confident they can tackle whoever comes their way and will battle for a medal place.
“The boys are looking sharp and the gruelling seven weeks in training have been great on us. The camp is in high spirits and once you have a happy camp, it is recipe for success. We train to compete against anyone and we will give our best always,” said Ambaka.
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