CG22: Shujaa through to main cup quarters despite defeat to Australia

The men’s national rugby sevens side, Shujaa, tasted their first defeat at the ongoing 2022 Commonwealth Games being held in Birmingham, England as they lost to HSBC World Rugby rivals Australia in their final pool D clash played on Saturday afternoon at the Coventry Stadium.

In the very tight and low scoring affair, a last minute mistake from the Damian McGrath currently coached side ensured that the Wallabies emerged 7-5 winners to top pool D on eight points as Kenya were left to settle for second place on 7 points, which was just enough to ensure progression to the main cup quarter finals, although a tougher opponent awaits in the last eight.

In the match, the psyched up Alvin ‘Buffa’ Otieno managed to use Kenya’s numerical advantage to put Shujaa 5-0 ahead as he landed the game’s opening try at the corner after an Aussie player was shown the yellow card for making a tackle to a Kenyan player in the air.

Kenya managed to hold the slender advantage at the break but the dogged Aussies breached Kenya’s spirited defense in the second half through Corey Toole with Dietrich Roach successfully making the conversion that ended up to be the difference.

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With the last play, Kenya had a chance to strike and steal the game at the death but Billy Odhiambo failed to support his weight on a ruck consequently ceding possession to Australia who booted the ball out of play to finish the game after Kenya were penalized.

Shujaa Pool D Results

Shujaa 27-14 Uganda

Shujaa 45-0 Jamaica

Shujaa 5-7 Australia