Kenya Sevens drop to Challenge Trophy after Australia loss in Dubai
What you need to know:
- The Innocent Simiyu-coached side saw their chances of making the Cup quarterfinals blow away after they had earlier on lost to France 24-14 even though they recovered to defeat Japan 17-7 in their second Pool D outing.
Kenya conceded a heart-breaking last minute try to lose 17-12 to Australia and drop to Challenge Trophy competition at the Dubai Sevens on Friday.
The Innocent Simiyu-coached side saw their chances of making the Cup quarterfinals blow away after they had earlier on lost to France 24-14 even though they recovered to defeat Japan 17-7 in their second Pool D outing.
It’s Charlie Taylor, who completed his brace of tries in the last minute after he won a breakdown ball before sprinting from 80metres to score the winning try. Ed Jenkins and Taylor had given Australia a 10-0 lead after they outmuscled Kenya from their own set-pieces.
William Ambaka brought Kenya back into the match with a try after he was played through by Brian Tanga from a penalty. Tanga converted as Kenya trailed 7-10 at the break.
Billy Odhiambo then finished off a lovely exchange from Darwin Mukidza and Nelson Oyoo with a try. Tanga converted as Kenya gain the lead 12-10 before Taylor struck at the death.
In the new format, the two top teams in each pool progress to the main Cup where they have a chance to win a gold medal, while lower ranked teams will contest a new Challenge Trophy competition.
The restructured format means that each series event will climax with the 13th-place positional play-off, followed by the Challenge Trophy (ninth place), the fifth place play-off, bronze medal match and the gold medal match (Cup winners).
Kenya will now meet Canada, who finished last in Pool A, in the Challenge Trophy quarterfinals on Saturday at 9.14am.
