Kenya hopes of scooping their first ever Rugby Sevens World Cup trophy were shuttered on Sunday as they lost 12-5 to England in the semi-finals of the Melrose Cup in Moscow, Russia.
According to rugby pundits Kenya’s fate was sealed when they struggled to beat France 24-19 in the quarter finals of the tournament. So arduous was the game against France that Kenya had to struggle with fatigue in their next game against England in the semis.
Kenya had qualified for the quarter finals after an 100 per cent record in the group stages winning all their matches. They were hence branded clear favourites to beat France in quarter finals, but France were not willing to take a beating. They put their feet down and put up a spirited performance that saw Kenya have to work up to extra time to beat them.
Kenya seemed to have gotten the easier side when they got drawn with France in the quarter finals but France ensured the game ended at 19-19 at full time thanks to their physical game.
It forced Kenya to go to extra time before Willy Amabaka broke a solid tackle from the France defence to score the vital try to secure the country’s hopes of reaching the semi finals.
Kenya had played the last quarter final of the day and had also played for the longest duration of the other four quarterfinals and hence were most exposed to fatigue ahead of their crucial tie against England.
Apart from playing up to extra time Kenya failed to utilise their subs and only made one change against France where they replaced Biko Adema with Lavin Asego.
This was compounded by the fact Friday opted to start the same team that played against France when they faced England, which meant they had no fresh legs for the game.
Kenya will hence have to wait another four years if they hope to ever win a world cup trophy. Friday and his side looked like the most conditioned side in the tournament but it just wasn’t their day with England proving to the be more prepared for the challenge on the given day.
Other major teams to get kicked out of the tournament early included the defending champions Wales, who were knocked out by New Zealand and South Africa, who lost their quarterfinals match against Fiji.
Meanwhile Kyle Brown of South Africa, Samoa’s Faalemiga Selesele, Australia’s Lewis Holland and Tunisia’s Haithem Chelli have received sanctions after foul play at RWC Sevens 2013 in Moscow.
South Africa captain Kyle Brown has had his six match/week suspension for contact with the eyes or eye area reduced on appeal to two matches/weeks at a hearing at the Luzhniki Stadium on Sunday morning.
By BS Mulavi
