False start for Shujaa in Hong Kong

Kenya Rugby Sevens side Shujaa kicked off their Hong Kong Sevens campaign on a bad footing as they were pummeled 29-5 by pool favorites New Zealand in the opening Pool D game at the Hong Kong Stadium on Friday morning.

The All Blacks imparted their dominance early on with Leroy Carter grabbing the first converted try of the game inside the third minute of the pool opener.

Seconds later, Dylan Collier scored for the series leaders before Akuila Rokolisoa - the leading try scorer- added another in the sixth minute to give the runaway leaders a 19-0 advantage.

The Kenyans did get themselves on the scoreboard after the halftime horn had sounded through Nelson Oyoo to take the scores going to the break at 19-5.

The situation didn’t change after the break as the Kenyans committed multiple errors that worked in New Zealand's way.

Young talent and substitute Cody Vai found space on the left flank two minutes after the break to score a memorable try before Ngarohi McGarvey Black capitalized on a kicking error from Kenya immediately after to pull away - recording a huge win that took them on top of the pool standings.

Preparations for this weekend’s KSF Kiambu Swimming Gala in top gear

Damian McGrath will now hope to steer his side to victory in the next pool matches to at least salvage the situation for a Kenyan side that is 13th on the world standings with 29 points.

Kenya next play Ireland on Saturday morning (0940 EAT) before facing South Africa at 1025 EAT on the same day.