Kenya Sevens knocked out of Hong Kong Sevens

Kenya Sevens were on Sunday knocked out of the 2023 World Rugby Sevens Series season-opening Hong Kong Sevens leg after failing to win any of their Group D match against Ireland, Argentina, and Canada.

Shujaa began the Hong Kong leg on the wrong foot on Friday when they lost 28-12.

Olympian Billy Odhiambo landed a brace in the match but Shujaa could not break down the Irish.

The defeat made Kenya work even harder in their remaining Group D matches where they had to defeat Argentina and Canada to stand a chance of qualifying for the Main Cup quarterfinals.

Yesterday in the early match kick-off at Hong Kong Stadium, Shujaa started brightly leading 7-0 before failing to maintain the tempo in the 26-7 defeat in their crucial match against Argentina.

KCB star Vincent Onyala's dummy saw Kenya lead 7-0 with Anthony Omondi adding the extras before Rodrigo Isgro and Agustin Fraga responded for the South Americans who led 14-7 at the breather.

In the final half, Argentina came out even more aggressively Luciano Gonzalez and Matias Osadczuk sealed the win and qualify for the Main Cup quarterfinals.

Matters went from bad to worse after losing to Canada 19-14 in the final group-stage match.Willy Ambaka and Billy Odhiambo's tries failed to rescue Shujaa, who trailed 14-7 at the break against Canada.

Phil Berna sliced through for the touchdown to put Canada ahead 7-0 after Thomas Isherwood conversion before Ambaka hit back for Kenya with Anthony Omondi adding the extras to level 7-7 only for Lachlan Kratz to pull them away 14-7 at the break with another Isherwood conversion.

Berna completed his brace as Isherwood added the extras. Odhiambo's try at death couldn't turn the tide.

Shujaa will now play New Zealand in the Challenge Trophy quarterfinal at 4.45am today early in the morning.

Shujaa at Hong Kong SevensKenya 14-19 CanadaKenya 7-26 ArgentinaKenya 12-28 Ireland