Shujaa stun Australia to inch closer to Cape Town 7s semis

Shujaa star Nygel Amaitsa (left) in action against Australia. [Kenya Sevens,X]

Kenya Sevens came from 12-0 down to stun Australia 19-12 and kick off their Cape Town Sevens campaign on the front foot on Saturday in South Africa.

Shujaa who are in Group B alongside the Australia and Dubai Sevens silver medalists Spain needed to win their opening match to stand a chance of making the semifinals to be played on Sunday.

The Cape Town Sevens introduces a new competition format aimed at enhancing player welfare. The tournament features four pools of three teams each, with pool winners advancing directly to the semifinals.

Teams finishing second and third will contest placement matches for fifth to eighth and ninth to twelfth positions, respectively.

Australia begun the match on the front foot after a long kick forced Kenya to their own try box leading to a scrum five meters from the white wash, an advantage the Australians capitalized to move 7-0 up after James Turner grounded the ball and Hayden Sargeant converted.

Another long kick from the restart forced a line out that was not kept straight by Shujaa and the resultant scrum saw Australia score an unconverted try through Sargeant for a 12-0 lead,

Shujaa co-captains Samwel Asati and George Ooro would rally themselves after the slow start with a couple of big offloads and carries that moved Kenya deep into the Australian territory as the Kelvin Wambua charges pushed for a response.

The response indeed came through Kevin Wekesa who finished off a long offload from Abukuse to trail 12-7 after the hooter.  Nygel Amaitsa converted the try.

In the final half, Kenya took the lead after a penalty try was awarded when the Australian defense took out Abukuse who was in for try after a beautiful kick and chase attempt.

With the Aussies reduced to six men, Shujaa capitalized on the numerical advantage through Ooro who bulldozed his way to score an unconverted try at the right corner to complete a much needed comeback win.

Kenya plays Spain next at 1,36pm, a match that if they win will lift Shujaa to the Main Cup semis.