Shujaa throw away numerical advantage to suffer yet another heavy defeat to Fiji
Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 05.06.26. | 16:30
The Kenyan boys haven't beaten Fiji since June 2018
Kenya Sevens began their final HSBC SVNS World Championship leg in Bordeaux, France on the wrong footing after suffering a 31-12 defeat to Fiji on Friday, 5 June.
The loss extended Fiji’s dominance over Shujaa, with the Pacific Islanders now winning 35 of the 39 meetings between the two sides since 2011.
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Kenya’s last victory over Fiji came in June 2018.
Fiji have now won 12 consecutive encounters with Shujaa.
Referee AJ Jacobs oversaw the contest as Fiji made an explosive start.
From David Nyangige’s kickoff, Terio Veilawa gathered possession and raced through the Kenyan defence to score under the posts.
He converted his own try to hand Fiji an early 7-0 lead.
Kenya enjoyed periods of possession in the opening minutes but were punished for errors.
A misplaced pass handed Fiji territory from a lineout, although Shujaa quickly responded through Patrick Odongo.
The speedster pounced on a loose ball, kicked ahead and won the chase to score Kenya’s first try.
Nyangige added the extras to level matters at 7-7.
Fiji were then reduced to six players after a yellow card, but Kenya failed to capitalize on the numerical advantage.
Instead, the Fijians produced a slick passing move that carved open the defence, allowing George Bose to touch down for their second try.
The conversion drifted wide as Fiji carried a 12-7 lead into the break.
The second half started poorly for Kenya as a knock-on gifted Fiji possession.
However, Shujaa soon found a way back into the contest through their forwards.
George Ooro powered through before offloading to fellow forward Kevin Wekesa, who crossed over for a try.
The conversion was missed, but Kenya had drawn level at 12-12.
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That proved to be the closest Kenya would come.
Fiji’s trademark handling and quick ball movement began to take control of the match.
Kavekini Tamivanuakula finished off another flowing attack before the conversion stretched Fiji’s advantage to 19-12.
The Islanders continued to pile on the pressure and added another converted try to open a two-score cushion.
Kenya responded with changes, introducing Jackson Siketi for Nyangige and Brian Tanga in place of Samuel Asati, but the substitutions failed to spark a comeback.
Atete Narogo put the result beyond doubt with a late unconverted try as Fiji cruised to a 31-12 victory.
The defeat leaves Kevin Wambua’s charges with work to do in their quest to retain their HSBC SVNS core status.
Shujaa will now turn their attention to a crucial Pool clash against South Africa’s Blitzboks later on Friday at 9:36pm.