IRB Series: Kenya climb to 12th in the world
Kenya’s Andrew Amonde (right) closes in on an Argentine opponent as Lavin Asego (background) lends support during their Wellington Sevens pool game at Westpac Trust Stadium on February 7, 2015. Kenya reached the Plate semi-finals to collect 10 points from the New Zealand leg of the Sevens World Series. PHOTO | IRB |
What you need to know:
- South Africa, Australia end Amonde-led team’s adventure
- Kenya lost to Australia 5-21 in their Plate semis showdown after earlier hitting the wall 5-19 against their continental rivals South Africa in the Cup last eight.
- There is no reprieve for Felix Ochieng’s charges at the USA Sevens in Las Vegas next week where they have been pooled alongside tough opponents.
Kenya registered an improved performance in the 2014/15 IRB Sevens World Series qualifying for their first Cup quarters before eventually bowing out in the semi-finals of the Plate competition in Wellington over the weekend.
Kenya lost to Australia 5-21 in their Plate semis showdown after earlier hitting the wall 5-19 against their continental rivals South Africa in the Cup last eight.
The team collected 10 points to see them climb two places to 12th on the sevens world rankings with 21 points as they battle for a top 10 placing to avoid the relegation axe.
There is no reprieve for Felix Ochieng’s charges at the USA Sevens in Las Vegas next week where they have been pooled alongside tough opponents.
They face Wellington Sevens losing finalists England, Argentina and Canada in Pool B in Las Vegas where they lost to Fiji 0-35 in Bowl final last year.
New Zealand, who edged out England 27-21 in a thrilling Cup in Wellington yesterday, have been given Wellington Plate winners Fiji, Wales and Samoa in Pool A in Las Vegas.
SOUTH AFRICA IN POOL C
Series leaders South Africa, who beat Scotland 40-7 to finish third, are with hosts USA, Portugal and Japan in Pool C. Scotland highlights Pool D that also has Australia, France and Brazil.
South Africa, who won in Dubai and Nelson Mandela Bay Sevens, leads the Series with 76 points followed by New Zealand 69, Fiji 64, Australia 58 and England 56.
Kenya showed great improvement in their tackling, passes and defence on the first day but these are the same areas they need to continue refining considering their lacklustre show on day two in New Zealand.
Las Vegas won’t be easy keeping in mind that the team has lost to all their pool opponents this season with their 7-31 defeat to Argentina being the latest at Wellington. Kenya has lost thrice to Canada this season.
