Ruthless Shujaa slay Samurai to reclaim Safari Sevens title

Frank Wanyama scored a brace of tries as Kenya Shujaa reclaimed the Safari Sevens title dethroning defending champions Samurai International 38-21 in a pulsating final at Safaricom Stadium, Kasarani.

Shujaa scored six tries and four conversions to edge out Samurai, who outclassed them 19-20 in last year’s final. The victory saw Shujaa complete a hat trick following their 2000 and 2013 success.

Western Province, who won Plate last year, improved to win bronze after downing England Saxons 36-7 in the play-off for third and fourth place in the championships that witnessed one of the lowest attendance in the tournament’s 20-year history.

Cape Warriors mauled Red Wailers 33-7 in an all South African final to win Plate while Kenya’s Homeboyz claimed Bowl after winning a round-robin duel against Rwanda, Morocco and Belhar Rockets.

Frank Wanyama, Brian Tanga, Leonard Mugaisi, Billy “the Kid” Odhiambo and William Ambaka crossed the line once each for Shujaa. Samurai touched down thrice with two conversions.

MADE TOW CONVERSIONS

Dougie Fife, Michael Fedo and Dan Sikuta scored a try each for Samurai. Francisco Hernandez made two conversions while Fife slotted in one.

“It’s a sweet revenge and summarizes what we had planned to do this weekend,” said Shujaa skipper Andrew Amonde. He added that it was a good build up for the 2016/2017 World Rugby Sevens Series that starts in December in Dubai.

Amonde said it was also a good stage for upcoming players to step up and show their mettle. In this regard he singled out Brian Tanga, who played a pivotal role in the team. “Tanga has stepped up so well but he still has some ground to cover,” said  Amonde.

Samurai skipper Ignacio Martin conceded defeat saying his charges took time to settle in the match. “We didn’t hold to the ball much and avoided contact a lot to give Shujaa room to hit us,” said Martin adding that the few days in training also cost them.

Wanyama landed over before sensational Tanga also crossed the white chalk to get Shujaa going.

SAFARI 7S RESULTS

CUP:

Final: Kenya Shujaa 38 Samurai 21

Semi-finals: Shujaa 17 Western Province 5, Samurai 7 England Saxons 5

Quarter-finals: Kenya 42 Zimbabwe 0, Samurai  19 Cape Warriors 5, England Saxons 24 Portugal 5, Red Wailers 7 Western Province 17

Plate:

Final: Cape Warriors 33, Red Wailers 7

Semi-final: Red Wailers 37, Zimbabwe 5; Cape Warriors 22, Portugal 19

Bowl:

Final: Homeboyz 3, Belhar 0