Kenya Sevens tackle hosts in Paris quarter-final
Kenyans Humphrey Kayange (left) evades a tackle during a HSBC Paris Sevens Series rugby match between Kenya and New Zealand at the Stade Jean Bouin in Paris on May 14, 2016. PHOTO | PHILIPPE LOPEZ |
What you need to know:
- Kenya booked the date with France after finishing second in Pool “A” where they lost to New Zealand 17-19 in their last duel.
- New Zealand now meet Argentina, who wound second in Pool “D” after losing14-26 to France.
- History beckons for Injera, who is now three tries of leading all-time try scorer Argentine Santiago Gomez, who has 230 tries.
Kenya Sevens take on hosts France at Paris Sevens Cup quarterfinal match starting at 12:57pm on Sunday at the Stade Jean Bouin in Paris.
The showdown is a repeat of the same stage at Singapore Sevens where Kenya prevailed 28-7 before taming Argentina 15-13 in the semis. They matched on to stun Fiji 30-7 in the final to claim their maiden victory in the Series.
Kenya booked the date with France after finishing second in Pool “A” where they lost to New Zealand 17-19 in their last duel. New Zealand now meet Argentina, who wound second in Pool “D” after losing14-26 to France.
It was a heartbreak for Kenya when Gillies Kaka scored the winning try for New Zealand from a quickly taken penalty just after the hooter had gone.
Kenya were out on their feet at the end but will rue a missed opportunity to kill the game off after they messed up an attack inside the New Zealand 22 when Frank Wanyama knocked-on.
Akira Ioane gave All Blacks the lead 7-0 when he ran down to avoid birthday boy William “Lomu” Ambaka’s tackle to score. Kenya would slowly hit back when Collins Injera put through his elder brother Humphrey Kayange to score.
Samuel Oliech might have missed the conversion but atoned for that mistake with a try that he converted. It’s Kayange, who latched on a loose ball from counter ruck, ran through before offloading from a tackle to Oliech to score by the posts and lead 12-7.
Skipper Andrew Amonde left Sonny Bill Williams flat-footed on the flanks with a brilliant powerful run before evading a tackle from Kurt Baker to score as Kenya Sevens sensed victory at 17-7.
However, a classical finish from Rieko Ioane brought All Blacks in the race before Kaka’s heart breaker.
AMBAKA STARS
Earlier, Ambaka celebrated his 26th birthday in style with a brace as Kenya Sevens dismantled Russia 22-7. Samuel Oliech and Humphrey Kayange scored the other two tries for Singapore Sevens champions who led 12-0 at the break.
Kenya started their campaign strongly on Friday when the history-chasing Collins Injera landed a brace of tries to tame Portugal 29-14 in the Pool “A” match.
Oliech drew first blood against the Russians when Injera put him through off a scrum as they extended the lead to 12-0 at the drinks when Oscar Ayodi broke before offloading to Ambaka to score.
Kenya went 17-0 up when Kayange offloaded to Ambaka from a tackle to land his second try, his third in Paris. German Davydov gave the Russians some glimpse of hope with a try but Kayange silenced them with a similar for victory.
History beckons for Injera, who is now three tries of leading all-time try scorer Argentine Santiago Gomez, who has 230 tries.
