Singapore 7s: Uruguay too good for out of sorts Shujaa

The men’s national rugby 7s side Shujaa were handed their third straight loss in Pool C of the ongoing Singapore 7s after succumbing to a 33-17 loss to Uruguay on Saturday afternoon.

Having been the first team to get on the scoreboard, the Damian McGrath currently coached side saw their lead wiped out as Uruguay came from behind claim the victory which ensured Shujaa’s poor record of failing to make any main cup quarter final in the 2023 season continued as they finished last in Pool C.

A Herman Humwa intercept on the opening minute gave Kenya the perfect start in the match when the forward showed admirable pace to get to Uruguay’s try line from inside his own half but the conversion fell just short for a 0-5 lead.

Felipe Arcos Perez however managed to chalk off that lead as he finished a well worked scrum move to give his side a 7-5 lead following a successful conversion by Guillermo Lijtenstein.

Minutes later, Shujaa were again undone by a clever lineout move that ended up with Uruguay extending their lead to 12-7 as Baltazar Amaya’s try was not converted.

Brian Tanga’s brilliance just before the interval gave Kenya a lifeline as the diminutive back left his markers for dead with a devilish dummy before showing a clean pair of heels that he touched down under the posts, Tony Omondi easily converting to draw the game level at the break.

Three converted tries from Uruguay scored by Perez, Tomas Etcheverry and Mateo Vinals however killed Shujaa completely as the South Americans led 33-12 with a minute to go.

A last-ditch effort from the team saw Alvin ‘Buffa’ Otieno touch down at the corner but his effort was unconverted as Uruguay sealed the win that earned them a main cup quarterfinal ticket.

Shujaa Results

Pool C

France 26-19 Kenya

USA 21-19 Kenya

Uruguay 33-17 Kenya