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S. OchiengLA 7s: Inconsistent Shujaa to face Canada in 9th place quarterfinal
Reading Time: 2min | Sun. 26.02.23. | 13:41
The team only needed one more win to qualify for the main cup final but were beaten by bottom placed Japan.
The men’s national rugby 7s side Shujaa will be hoping to put their disappointment in the group stages of the Los Angeles 7s behind them when they take on Canada in the 9th place quarterfinal on Sunday night.
Having recorded a big 12-7 win against overall defending champions Australia, the Damian McGrath currently coached side shot themselves in the foot when they went on to lose their two remaining games against Fiji and bottom placed Japan knowing very well that only one more win would have carried them to the main cup quarter finals for the first time this season, which would have meant good point returns to boost their fight against relegation.
Ukiona tumepigwa na Japan then uone SA ilipigwa na Uruguay... lakini hii #Kenya7s hujua ku unlock new levels of heart break everytime. 🥲🥲🥲🥲 https://t.co/buUMc52LVY pic.twitter.com/ALK6DABEeJ
— Poghie Ndonga (@poghie_esquire) February 26, 2023
The team lost the second match 5-19 against Fiji which came as no surprise but it the 5-7 loss against Japan, who are rooted at the bottom of the log that highlighted the inconsistency levels within the Shujaa camp.
The loss meant that Australia, finished behind Fiji in Group C having a better points differential than Kenya who were left to settle for the playoff places.
Sijui nani alituroga na ati we have to go through people as a tactic in sevens. Passing is for sissies. Maybe people are playing for the highlight reel. Especially one particular player - a favourite of the commentators. Now we lose what could have been an easy game against Japan
— Wallace Kantai (@wgkantai) February 26, 2023
Apart from Fiji, Samoa, Ireland and Great Britain claimed perfect win records on a rain-soaked first day at the HSBC Los Angeles Sevens in California.
Teams, staff, fans and tournament organizers battled through severe weather conditions from opening kick-off until the final whistle, including two extended breaks due to lightning in the area surrounding Dignity Health Sports Park, which caused the day to run well over its planned running time.
Here's our #LA7s scorecard
— Shujaa (@KenyaSevens) February 26, 2023
Aussie 7 - #Shujaa 12
Fiji 19 - #Shujaa 5#Shujaa 5 - Japan 7
Some RnR needed tonight as we prepare for Day 2.#HSBC7s pic.twitter.com/d3xu7ERhbC
The main cup quarterfinal line-up sees Samoa v Argentina, Fiji v South Africa, Great Britain v New Zealand and Ireland v Australia.
This season, following the penultimate event in Toulouse, the 15th ranked team will be relegated to the 2024 Sevens Challenger Series while the 12th through 14th ranked teams will face off against the Sevens Challenger Series 2023 winner for the 12th and final position on the 2024 Series.
Shujaa Fixtures
Kenya vs Canada -2017EAT (9th Place QF)
Shujaa Results
Kenya 12-7 Australia
Kenya 5-19 Fiji
Kenya 5-7 Japan
