Edmonton 7's: Shujaa finish second in Pool B after loss to the USA
Reading Time: 2min | Sun. 26.09.21. | 03:07
Kenya were on course to a win but a last gasp try from Martin Iosefu saw the USA claim victory.
The USA exerted revenge after their quarter-final loss to Kenya in the Vancouver 7s as they beat Shujaa 19-14 in the final Pool B match of the Edmonton 7s.
Shujaa will now face Germany in the quarter-final after finishing second while the USA will take on Great Britain in the other match up of the last eight.
Daniel Taabu who was the DHL Impact Player in the Vancouver 7s was missing from the team sheet after picking up a knock in the opening game against Chile and in his place came Mark Kwemoi.
Electric from Esdale! ⚡️#HSBC7s | @USARugby pic.twitter.com/VaYTAUFWit
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) September 25, 2021
Kenya gathered from the restart but failed to profit with the ball in hand as the USA turned over possession with Malachi Esdale breezing past three Kenyan players to touch the ball in between the sticks.
Shujaa again surrendered possession with the USA opting for a line out which they executed to perfection as Kevon Williams bagged a try at the edge of the try box for a 12-0 lead at halftime.
Innocent Simiyu’s halftime pep talk looked to have hit home as Nelson Oyoo sliced the USA defence line from a well-worked scrum with the conversion being nailed from a tight angle.
Kenya Corner is ROCKING 🇰🇪#HSBC7s pic.twitter.com/lEylTzmQdx
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) September 25, 2021
Kenya were firing from all cylinders at the start of the second half as Billy Odhiambo gathered a loose ball and raced to touch the ball with the conversion propelling Shujaa to the lead.
Levy Amunga elected to go for a line out to run down the clock but the USA won set-piece with the experience of Martin Iosefu enough to fend off a spirited effort from Oyoo to take him off the field of play as he scored a try to give Mike Friday’s charges a 19-14 win.
