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[h=1]Improved Kenya crush in plate semis but move up to seventh in IRB series standings[/h] Posted by: The People in Sports Fanatique March 24, 2014
Kenya have climbed one spot to seventh in the latest 2013/14 Sevens World Series standings after clawing 10 points from Tokyo Sevens yesterday. The East Africans, handled by South African Paul Treu, now have 57 points after six rounds, one better than Argentina, who held that spot before Tokyo Sevens.
In Tokyo yesterday, Fiji emerged Tokyo Sevens champions after beating South Africa 33-26. England hit New Zealand 21-12 in third-place playoff and Australia claimed the Plate after dismissing USA 17-12. Wales saw off Scotland 28-21 to bag the Bowl trophy as Argentina thrashed Samoa 26-0 to win Shield.
Against Fiji in Cup quarterfinal, Kenya went 7-0 up courtesy of a Billy Odhiambo second minute try that Biko Adema converted. Kenya’s lead lasted only two minutes as Fiji scored an unconverted try through Pio Tuwai. Emosi Mulevoro converted Donasio Ratubuli’s try to put the islanders ahead 12-7 with six minutes played. Kenya skipper Collins Injera tied the scores at 12-12 after he scored an unconverted try in the seventh minute for the sides to go to the break all square.
Fiji was first to get off the starting blocks after resumption, Samisoni Viriviri scoring a try just 14 seconds after restart. Andrew Amonde restored Kenya’s lead two minutes later with a try converted by Adema. A converted try each from Viriviri, Vatemo Ravouvou and Setefano Cakau put the game beyond Kenya with Leo Naikasau completing Fiji’s scoring seconds from the buzzer with an unconverted try for the islanders to win 43-19. Kenya dropped to the Plate competition after that loss.
Things worsened in Plate as Treu’s side came out without scoring with Australia outclassing the Kenyans 36-0 in Plate semifinal. Oscar Ouma had a clear chance to score a try under the posts in the first half, but squandered. Meanwhile, After reaching their fourth Cup quarterfinal this season in Tokyo, Kenya shift their focus to Hong Kong Sevens slated for March 28-30 in Hong Kong where they will face Sri Lanka, Wales and Tokyo Sevens winners Fiji in Pool A.
In the draw announced by International Rugby Board in Tokyo yesterday, Tokyo Sevens runners-up South Africa are in Pool B alongside Australia, France and relegation-threatened Spain. Tokyo Sevens bronze medalists England will clash with Canada, Argentina and Portugal in the third group. Pool D has reigning Sevens World series champions New Zealand together with USA, Scotland and Samoa.
Sevens World Series core team qualifier involving 12 countries will also be held concurrently with the main Hong Kong Sevens. Here, Russia, Zimbabwe, Chile, Barbados, Hong Kong, Italy, Tunisia, American Samoa, Japan, Cook Islands, Uruguay and Trinidad and Tobago will fight it out in the Sevens World Series core team qualifier.
The winner will replace the bottom-ranked of the 15 current core teams after the last round of the 2013/14 Series to be held in London on May 10-11. At the same time, Kenya Lioness are scheduled to leave the country today to take part at the Hong Kong Women’s Rugby Sevens. Coach Kevin Wambua’s side will play France and China in Pool C in Hong Kong on March 28. Other teams battling it out for Hong Kong Women’s Rugby Sevens title are Canada, Kazakhstan, Hong Kong (Pool A), Brazil, South Africa, Papua New Guinea (Pool B) and Ireland, Japan and Singapore in Pool D. -By GEOFFREY ANENE anenegeoff