Kenya’s steady rise continues with third place finish in Dubai

PHOTO | KARIM SAHIB Kenya’s Collins Injera heads for the try-line after beating New Zealand’s Belgium Tustagaloa (not pictured) during their semi-final match of the International Rugby Board (IRB) Sevens World Series rugby tournament match in Dubai on December 1, 2012. New Zealand won 27-7.

What you need to know:

  • The Kenyans, who lost to South Africa at the same stage at Gold Coast Sevens, went a step further this time around, collecting 17 points for a total 32 points to tie in second place in the IRB World Sevens standings with Dubai Sevens winners Samoa and Gold Coast Sevens champions Fiji
  • It’s Kenya’s best ever start to the Series since 2008/2009 where they were placed fifth at one time
  • The semi-finals qualification earned each member in the team $2,000 (Sh170,000) in bonuses from their sponsors, Kenya Airways

Kenya Sevens rugby’s ascendance to the top of the world order was well on track on Saturday when they rallied from behind to beat France 15-12 and finish third at the Dubai Sevens, the second leg of the International Rugby Board’s World Sevens Series.

The Kenyans, who lost to South Africa at the same stage at Gold Coast Sevens, went a step further this time around, collecting 17 points for a total 32 points to tie in second place in the IRB World Sevens standings with Dubai Sevens winners Samoa and Gold Coast Sevens champions Fiji.

Samoa beat New Zealand 26-15 to lift Dubai Sevens title.

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France complete the top five vanguard with 27 points.

It’s Kenya’s best ever start to the Series since 2008/2009 where they were placed fifth at one time.

Comeback tries from Collins Injera, who scored his sixth try of the tournament for a total 149 in the Series, Horace Otieno and Oscar Ouma enabled Kenya supersede tries from France’s Julien Candelon and Terry Bouhraoua.

But a clinical New Zealand snuffed all the confidence out of Kenya, winning 7-27 to deny the East Africans their second ever Cup final appearance.

Splendid show

Many errors, especially in ruck situation, coupled with stretched line of defence saw the Kenyans succumb to All Blacks, who also beat them 15-5 at the same stage in Gold Coast.

Nevertheless, the previous splendid show by the East Africans, who are crowd favourites cannot be taken away from them.

Mike Friday’s charges had staged a breathtaking comeback display to outclass Canada 19-7. Earlier, the impressive Kenyans stormed the semis after William “Lomu” Ambaka made three crucial try-saving tackles over the try-line before grounding the last try for a 19-7 win over giant slayers Canada.

The semi-finals qualification earned each member in the team $2,000 (Sh170,000) in bonuses from their sponsors, Kenya Airways.

The first session was an all-Canada attack with lightening quick feet and open play but Mike Friday’s structures were equally well in place as his charges put up a water-tight defensive alignment.

Try-saving tackle

The Canadians, who had dismantled France and the United States of America before drawing Australia in the pools stages, made a break but Ambaka would latch on Ciaran Hearn, who had crossed the line to stop him from ground the ball. The Canadians were on the break again as Kenyan coolly weathered the storm.

Ciaran would slice through again but again met Kenya’s solid defense and beast mode attack with the Kenya Harlequin winger stopping him again from going over.

It was Collins Injera’s time for another try-saving tackle that held Sean Duke, who had gone over the line in the seventh minute.

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