Perth 7s: Shujaa stifle Uruguay to record first tournament victory

Shujaa finally broke their pool stage drought at the Perth 7s, defeating an unbeaten Uruguay side 19-5 in a thrilling match played on Saturday 25 January at the HBF Park in Australia.

The win not only marked Kenya’s first pool victory but also avenged their December 2024 loss to Uruguay in the Dubai 7s ninth-place playoff.

Kenya started the game with intent, showcasing solid defense that kept Uruguay at bay.

Early possession from the kickoff saw a well-orchestrated move as George Ooro gained ground before offloading to Dennis Abukuse, who set up Kevin Wekesa for the opening try. The conversion was good, giving Kenya a 7-0 lead.

Uruguay’s woes deepened when Vidal Alfonso was penalized and sent to the sin bin, reducing them to six men.

Shujaa capitalized on the numerical advantage, with Tony Omondi setting up Nygel Amaitsa for Kenya’s second try, though the conversion attempt went wide.

Kenya maintained their momentum, dominating the set pieces. A brilliant lineout play led to Patrick Odongo’s sensational kick-and-chase try, which was met with an iconic celebration that sent Kenyan fans into a frenzy.

The successful conversion ensured Shujaa went into halftime with a commanding 19-0 lead.

Uruguay sought to mount a comeback in the second half but faced Kenya’s resilience.

Dennis Abukuse’s yellow card for a high tackle momentarily gave Uruguay a numerical advantage, but Shujaa’s defense held firm.

A potential corner try for Uruguay was ruled out after Wekesa’s remarkable chase forced the try scorer into touch.

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The South Americans eventually broke through, with Mathew Turner crossing the whitewash for their only try of the game.

However, the conversion attempt was off-target, and Uruguay could not close the gap. Kenya managed the clock effectively, with Samuel Asati kicking the ball into touch to seal the win.

Kenya, who finished third in their pool, will now face USA in a ninth-place semifinal match at 1143 EAT.