Shujaa finish eighth at the Dubai Sevens, he had a disappointing start to the 2021-22 World Rugby Sevens Series after winning only one match at the Dubai Sevens and finished eighth overall.
The positional finish by the Kenyan lads earned them 10 points in the opening weekend of the new campaign.
Shujaa’s only win at the tournament was a 26-12 victory over Spain in the group stages, one that helped them sneak into the Cup quarters where they were eliminated after losing 19-5 to Fiji.
They dropped to the fifth-place play-off where they suffered a 33-7 loss to Great Britain and dropped further to the seventh-place final where they lost 29-7 to Ireland.
Shujaa were in high spirits.
On the second day of the competition, Shujaa finish eighth at the Dubai Sevens, he was in high spirits to start of with victory having sneaked into the Cup quarters.
However, against a tough Fijian side, they could not continue the streak.
They had a good start with Herman Humwa adding on another try to his good performing weekend when he quickly tapped off a penalty to cross over. The conversion went wide, but Shujaa had a 5-0 lead.
Joseva Talacolo however punished Kenya from their own mistakes when they gave away an easy line out which the islanders took advantage of, with a converted try for a 7-5 lead.
Shujaa players before a match at the Safari Sevens
Kenya punished?
Kenya was punished on the counter as they slumped further back when Filipe Sauturaga took on a daunting run down the field to dot down and the extras added by Walsea Nacuqu for a 14-5 lead, one they took to the half time break.
Fiji added their third try of the game off the breakdown when Panapasa Qeruqeru crossed over and Shujaa didn’t have a response as they dropped to the fifth-place play-off.
In this match again, they couldn’t bounce back. The Brits ran in five tries four of which were converted with Shujaa managing only once.
Tom Williams went over the whitewash for the first try of the game inside two minutes with Frederick Roddick converting for a 7-0 lead.
However, Shujaa reduced the deficit when Alvin Otieno dotted down.
The two teams went to the break with a 7-5 score, with Shujaa seemingly hungry to get into the game and clinch victory.
However, the Kenyan boys collapsed in the second half with Britain crossing over four times with no response from the Kenyans.
Roddick added the second try and converted it himself before Jamie Barden, Tom Bowen and Will Trenholm all crossing over, two of which were converted.
Kenya Sevens coach Innocent Simiyu
There was no reprieve in the fight for seventh place against the Irish as Innocent Simiyu’s men were outclassed once again.
Terry Kennedy dotted down a hattrick of tries with Aaron O’Sullivan and Ed Kelly adding one each, two of which were converted.
Kenya’s solo try of the game was dotted down by the impressive Humwa with Anthony Omondi converting.
Meanwhile, South Africa clinched the maximum points and the Dubai trophy after a 42-7 whitewash of USA in the final.
Australia who beat Kenya 22-17 in the group phase finished third after edging oyt Fiji 42-7.
Dubai will host its second round of the tournament this coming weekend with Kenya eager to make amends after a dismal start to the campaign.
Also, Read: Shujaa ‘power bully’ Alvin Otieno named October’s best
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