Spirited Shujaa knocked out of main cup contention by Fiji

The men’s national rugby 7s team, Shujaa, will have to fight for a slot in the 5th place semi final match after they were knocked out of main cup contention following a 19-5 quarterfinal loss at the hands of two time Olympic gold medalists Fiji.

In the highly physical encounter played at the Sevens Stadium on Saturday morning, Shujaa looked well capable of causing an upset to the rugby mad nation as they took a momentary lead in the opening proceedings but it was not to be as Fiji showed their pedigree in coming from behind to win the match and consequently book their semi final spot against USA.

As he has done in the season opening tournament at the Dubai Sevens, Herman Humwa was once again in the right place at the right time as Kenya applied constant pressure deep in the Fiji territory. The Kenya Harlequins man just forcing his way over the chalk for his third try of the tournament that gave Kenya a 5-0 lead after the conversion was missed.

In trying to find their foothold in the match after a strong start by the Kenyans, Joseva Talacolo managed to slice the defensive line before outpacing his way to the tryline to give Fiji a first time 7-5 lead after Waisea Nacuqu successfully converted.

Known to be kings of turnovers, Fiji showed just why when Jeff Oluoch ran out of gas and lost the ball after showing some pretty good skills. From the broken play, Filipe Sauturage left two Kenyan defenders for dead with two immaculate sidesteps that beautifully set him up for a second successsfully converted try that gave the Fijians a 14-5 half time lead.

The physical contest remained a close battle in the second half with both sides struggling to keep their composure. However, an unforced error from Shujaa was immediately punished as Panapasa Qeruqeru forced his way over the whitewash for Fiji's third and final try that won the game 19-5.

Shujaa will now take on Great Britain in the 5th place semifinal at 12:51 pm after being knocked out of the main cup quarters

Shujaa Day 1 Results

Kenya 7 USA 14

Kenya 17 Argentina 22

Kenya 26 Spain 12

Day 2 Results

Fiji 19-5 Kenya

Great Britain vs Kenya - 12:51pm