Kenya Sevens beats Tonga to qualify for round of 16

Kenya Sevens coach Innocent Simiyu. His position alongside those of the rest of the technical bench have been advertised by the Kenya Rugby Union on August 29, 2018. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • This is the fifth time Kenya is participating at the Rugby World Cup Sevens

Kenya Sevens qualified for the round of 16 at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco, USA, on Friday after beating Tonga 19-7.

Nelson Oyoo scored a brace of tries as Kenya Sevens rallied from behind.

Kenya Sevens will now face Scotland at 5.03am on Saturday (Kenyan time) for a place in the quarterfinals at AT&T Park.

Kenya Sevens were caught at the back foot when Sosai Tolai weaved through to score before Samiu Muna converted as Tonga led 7-0.

Oyoo would pull one back for Kenya Sevens but a failed conversion by Samuel Oliech saw them trail 7-5 at the break.

Kenya went on the prowl with William Ambaka, Andrew Amonde and Collins Injera orchestrating the attack before Oyoo finished it off.

Oliech added the extras this time around as Kenya pulled away 12-7.

Jeffery Oluoch made the decisive break before offloading it from a tackle.

Injera, who is making his third World Cup appearance, would collect the ball before evading a tackle on the inside to score.

Eden Agero converted to lead 19-7 before Kenya went on to win and sail through.

This is the fifth time Kenya is participating at the Rugby World Cup Sevens, having reached the Cup semi-finals of the two previous editions in 2009 (Dubai) and 2013 (Moscow).