Mixed Results at Dubai 7s
Shujaa’s journey in Dubai featured moments of promise and resilience, balanced by challenges that underlined areas for growth. Over the weekend, the team recorded two wins and three losses in five matches, navigating tough opponents and high-pressure situations.
Their final match against Uruguay showcased both their determination and the challenges of competing against strong teams. Uruguay struck first through Ignacio Facciolo, who crossed over for an early try to give his team a 5-0 lead. Mateo Vinals extended the advantage with an unconverted try, leaving Shujaa trailing 10-0 at halftime.
We wrap up the #Dubai7s in 10th place after a spirited performance in the 1st leg of the #HSBC7s series.
All eyes now on the 2nd leg happening in Cape Town this coming weekend. #Shujaa #SportpesaNaShujaa #SafaricomRugby #MpesaPowersKenya7s pic.twitter.com/7NhGz3HrJ1— Shujaa (@KenyaSevens) December 1, 2024
In the second half, Tomas Etcheverry capitalized on a defensive lapse to widen Uruguay’s lead to 15-0 with a clinical corner try. Shujaa responded with vigor, as George Ooro powered through for a try under the posts after a quick tap penalty. Samuel Asati added the conversion, narrowing the deficit to 15-7. Despite Kenya’s efforts, Uruguay held firm to secure the win.
Pool Matches: Highlights and Challenges
Shujaa’s Dubai campaign began with a closely contested 24-19 loss to France in their opening pool match. The team showed promise, matching France’s physicality and skill, but fell short in the final moments. They rebounded with a spirited 22-17 victory over South Africa, a highlight of the tournament that demonstrated their ability to compete with elite teams. Shujaa executed their game plan effectively, using strategic plays and capitalizing on South Africa’s mistakes to secure a hard-fought win.
However, consistency proved elusive, as Shujaa suffered a 31-14 defeat to Australia in their final pool game. Defensive lapses and missed opportunities allowed Australia to dominate, relegating Kenya to the ninth-place semifinals.
In the semifinals, Shujaa delivered one of their best performances, outclassing Ireland 21-7. The victory was a testament to their potential, combining disciplined defense with dynamic attacking moves. This win set up a showdown with Uruguay in the ninth-place final, but despite their best efforts, Shujaa finished 10th, matching their result from the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Adapting to the New Format
The Dubai 7s marked Shujaa’s return to the World Rugby Sevens Series, now featuring a revamped format that emphasizes consistency and competitiveness across tournaments. For Kenya, the tournament offered a valuable opportunity to assess their readiness against top-tier teams and adjust to the demands of the new system.
While their 10th-place finish leaves room for improvement, the experience gained in Dubai will be instrumental in refining their strategies and addressing weaknesses. The team faced some of the world’s best sides, including France and Australia, and learned critical lessons about maintaining focus and minimizing errors under pressure.
Shujaa’s coaching staff emphasized the importance of adaptability and resilience, highlighting the need to balance attacking flair with defensive solidity. These elements will be key as the team looks to build on their performance in Cape Town.
Standout Performances and Areas for Growth
Several players stood out for Shujaa during the Dubai 7s. George Ooro’s powerful try against Uruguay showcased his determination and physicality, while Samuel Asati’s precision in converting critical kicks was commendable. The team’s overall performance against South Africa and Ireland demonstrated their potential to compete with top sides when executing their game plan effectively.
However, defensive lapses were a recurring issue throughout the tournament. Against teams like Australia and Uruguay, missed tackles and positional errors allowed opponents to exploit gaps and score crucial tries. Addressing these vulnerabilities will be a priority for the coaching staff as Shujaa prepares for the next leg of the series.
Consistency in execution is another area for improvement. While they showed flashes of brilliance, their inability to sustain high-level performances across multiple matches limited their overall success. The team’s ability to maintain composure under pressure and capitalize on scoring opportunities will be critical in future tournaments.
Focus Shifts to Cape Town
With the Dubai 7s behind them, Shujaa now turns their focus to the Cape Town 7s, set to take place at the Nelson Mandela Stadium next weekend. The second leg of the World Rugby Sevens Series presents an opportunity for the team to showcase growth and build on their experiences from Dubai.
Here are the official pools as we head into Cape Town for the second leg of the @SVNSSeries .We face off against Spain and @Aussie7s in pool B.#Shujaa #SportpesaNaShujaa #MpesaPowersKenya7s #SafaricomRugby pic.twitter.com/kTQkj2UGrU
— Shujaa (@KenyaSevens) December 1, 2024
Cape Town will offer a fresh set of challenges, with Shujaa likely to face another mix of strong opponents. The team’s goals will include improving defensive discipline, enhancing attacking cohesion, and maintaining consistency throughout the tournament. The coaching staff will also look to integrate lessons from Dubai into their game plan, aiming for a stronger overall performance.
The Cape Town 7s will also serve as a chance for players to further cement their roles within the squad. Emerging talents like Ooro and Asati will look to build on their contributions, while experienced players will aim to lead by example. For Shujaa, the tournament represents a stepping stone in their journey to reclaim prominence on the global stage.
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