Kenya 7s started off their Los Angeles 7s campaign with a 33-14 loss to Samoa in a match played at Dignity Park on Saturday.
Shujaa headed to this tournament having had a bad run in the last three tournaments picking just a point in each outing. The team now under coach Damian McGrath were hoping to end the season on a high.
kenya 7s starting squad against Samoa. Photo Courtesy/World Rugby
They however started off on a wrong footing conceding three tries in the opening half. Vaa Apelu Maliko beat his markers to score the opening try in the fourth minute and the try was converted for a 7-0.
19-0
Maliko then sliced through the defence two minutes later stretching the lead to 14-0 after another conversion by Melani Matavao.
Uaina Sione scored in the dying minutes of the half for a 19-0 lead at halftime.
On return from the break, Daniel Taabu’s darting run saw him sell a dummy before splitting through the defence for a converted try.
Kenya trimmed the gap with Taabu gaining metres before he released the ball which was moved to find Willy Ambaka and he battled his way through for a try that cut the gap.
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Sammy Oliech belted in a conversion from a tight angle to keep Kenya in the game.
Shujaa defence however failed to contain Samoa’s defence as they immediately hit back with a converted try that saw them lead 26-14.
Taunuu Niulevaea sealed their victory with a converted try and the side would pick a 33-14 victory. Kenya will be back in action at 11:10 East African Time.
South Africa
USA upset title chasing South Africa with a 21-7 win. David Still, Joe Schroeder and Perry Baker tries gave USA a win with Sakoyisa Makata getting SA’ consolation.
New Zealand started off strongly beating Canada 26-7. Moses Leo, Che Clarke, Caleb Tangitau and Akuila Rokolisoa scored NZ tries.
Jordan Edmunds bagged a brace while Callum Young added one try in England’s 19-5 loss to Scotland.
USA are here to play 😤🇺🇸
The home team make a BIG statement in their opening match against South Africa#HSBC7s | #LA7s | @USARugby pic.twitter.com/Y8w1P9OXDC
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) August 27, 2022
Los Angeles 7s Results:
South Africa 7-21 USA
New Zealand 26-5 Canada
England 5-19 Scotland
Samoa 33-14 Kenya 7s
Ireland vs France
Fiji vs Wales
