Argentina end Kenya's campaign in the Plate final as KRU boss praises team

Kenya's Andrew Amonde in full flight against New castle Wailers during the Safari Sevens rugby tournament at Safaricom Kasarani Stadium on October 4, 2015. He scored a try against USA in the Sydney World Sevens Rugby series Plate semi-final on Sunday. Kenya beat USA 24-21. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Fighting Kenya collected 12 points from Sydney Sevens after losing to Argentina 24-0 in the Plate final on Sunday.
  • Kenya staged a comeback in the Plate semis, coming from 21-0 to stun the USA 24-21.
  • Kenya Rugby Union Richard Omwela said climbing from 13th place last season to the current eighth this season was beyond what they expected.
  • Omwela, however, said the technical bench needed to correct errors that have seen the team lose at crucial stages.

Fighting Kenya collected 12 points from Sydney Sevens after losing to Argentina 24-0 in the Plate final on Sunday.

The Benjamin Ayimba-trained side, however, remained eighth in the World Rugby Sevens Series standings with 42 points.

While the Plate final was one Kenya will want to forget in a hurry, the semi-final was be cherished by the team and their ardent fans.

It was a game of two halves as Kenya staged one of the most remarkable comebacks in the series, rallying from 0-21 at the break to stun Mike Friday’s USA 24-21.

The Americans got off the blocks fast when flying winger Carlin Isles scored two tries before Ben Pinkleman’s added a third for a 21-0 half time lead.

Kenya, backed by their passionate fans, upped their ante on resumption as Oscar Ayodi powered through for his seventh try of the tournament before skipper Andrew Amonde, Billy Odhiambo and Bush Mwale crossed once each to complete a breathtaking comeback.

“We didn’t have the ball most of the first half but we got it in the second half and we were able to execute what we wanted to do. We worked very hard,” said Amonde.

The final with Argentina was a repeat of Wellington Sevens Plate semi-final as the Pumas emerged victorious.

PLENTY OF ERRORS

Argentina cashed in on plenty of errors committed by Kenya at the breakdowns and in defence to score through Nicolas Menendez to lead 7-0 at the break.

There was no respite for Kenya as the Pumas stretched their lead to 10-0 with an Axel Muller try before getting a penalty try after Nelson Oyoo brought down Franco Sabato in their foot-race to the line.

Sabato added another try to confirm the South American’s victory as Oyoo cooled down in the sin-bin. Earlier, Kenya had made a late but futile rally, losing to Fiji 12-28 in the Cup quarter-finals.

Fiji the lost to New Zealand in the Cup semi-final 12-14.

The All Blacks matched on to claim the Sydney diadem, beating hosts Australia 17-14 in a cracking final. Fiji then handed South Africa 26-12 defeat in the play-off for third place. Australia had stopped South Africa 12-7 in a tightly contested semis.

The victory saw the All Blacks catch up with leaders Fiji, who won in Dubai and Cape Town Sevens winners South Africa at the top with both teams tying on 69 points apiece. 

Kenya Rugby Union Richard Omwela said climbing from 13th place last season to the current eighth this season was beyond what they expected.

“It shows that the confidence is building up and I commend the technical bench and the players for their show,” Omwela said.

“Our target now is top five performance or minimum sixth place,” he added.

Omwela, however, said the technical bench needed to correct errors that have seen the team lose at crucial stages.