The Kenya Sevens team, Shujaa, began their Perth 7s campaign on a sour note, succumbing to a determined New Zealand side 29-14 in an intense Group B match played on Friday, January 24, at the HBF Park in Australia. Despite the loss, Shujaa displayed flashes of resilience and determination that kept their passionate fans hopeful.
A Tough Start for Shujaa
Facing the All Blacks Sevens is never an easy task, and Shujaa knew they had a mountain to climb. The two sides last met during the Toulouse Sevens in March 2023, where New Zealand claimed a dominant 31-5 victory, denying Kenya a spot in the cup quarterfinals. This time, Shujaa hoped for a better outcome but fell short despite putting up a fight.
Heading into the match, Kenya Sevens had a proud record of reaching seven quarterfinals on Australian soil, a testament to their competitive spirit in past campaigns. Their clash with New Zealand promised to be a physical and high-paced encounter, and it delivered on both counts.
First Half: Resilience Amidst Pressure
The game kicked off with Tony Omondi leading Shujaa’s charge. However, New Zealand wasted no time asserting their dominance. After an early turnover, 19-year-old Thang Thang Vanuk darted through Kenya’s defense to score the first try of the match, with a successful conversion giving the All Blacks an early 7-0 lead.
Kenya struggled with early set-piece execution, losing both a lineout and a scrum, which handed New Zealand more possession and momentum. Despite these challenges, Shujaa capitalized on a rare New Zealand error with a well-coordinated kick-and-chase play. Captain George Ooro eventually broke through the defense to score Kenya’s opening try, much to the delight of the Kenyan fans. Nygel Amaitsa’s successful conversion leveled the score at 7-7.
As halftime approached, New Zealand regained control, with Regan Were outpacing Kenya’s defense to score a late try. Despite Ooro’s determined chase, the All Blacks Sevens led 14-7 heading into the break.
Second Half: Promising Start but Missed Opportunities
The second half began with a pivotal moment for Shujaa when New Zealand’s Ormond was sent off for a high tackle on Kenya’s Patrick Odongo. The one-man advantage provided Kenya an opportunity to strike back, and they did not disappoint. After a well-executed scrum, Amaitsa set up Odongo for a sensational try. Amaitsa’s conversion brought the scores level at 14-14, sending the Kenyan supporters into a frenzy.
However, the joy was short-lived as New Zealand responded with a try from Andrew Knewstubb, whose quick pick-and-go restored their lead. Although the conversion was missed, the All Blacks regained momentum. Moments later, Codemuru Vai sprinted past Amaitsa to score another try, extending New Zealand’s lead to 24-14.
Despite Kenya’s best efforts to stage another comeback, New Zealand sealed the win in the dying moments of the match. McGarvey Ngarohi scored a final try with an electrifying run and capped it off with an iconic celebration. Although the conversion attempt was unsuccessful, the All Blacks comfortably secured the 29-14 victory.
Shifting Focus to Fiji
The loss to New Zealand leaves Kenya in a challenging position as they prepare to face Fiji in their next match at 10:59 am. Fiji, another rugby powerhouse, presents an equally formidable challenge for Shujaa. However, Kenya will be looking to build on the positives from their opening game and aim for an upset victory.
Key Moments of the Match
- Vanuk’s Early Try: New Zealand’s first score set the tone for their dominance, showcasing their ability to capitalize on turnovers.
- Ooro’s Leadership: The Kenyan captain’s try in the first half highlighted the team’s resilience and fighting spirit.
- Ormond’s High Tackle: The All Blacks Sevens’ temporary reduction to six men gave Shujaa a lifeline, which they exploited with Odongo’s try.
- New Zealand’s Quick Response: The All Blacks’ ability to immediately bounce back from Kenya’s equalizers proved decisive.
- McGarvey Ngarohi’s Finale: The final try was a testament to New Zealand’s depth and composure under pressure.
A Glimmer of Hope for Shujaa
While the defeat was a setback, Kenya’s performance showed glimpses of potential, particularly in their ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities and their unwavering spirit. Players like Patrick Odongo and George Ooro demonstrated their capability to rise to the occasion against world-class opposition.
As Shujaa shifts focus to their clash with Fiji, they will need to tighten their defense, improve their set-piece execution, and maintain their attacking sharpness to keep their campaign alive. With a loyal fanbase rallying behind them, the team will hope to turn the tide and deliver a strong performance against another rugby giant.
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