Spirited Shujaa finish tenth in Hamilton 7s

The men's national rugby 7s side Shujaa recorded their highest finish yet in the ongoing 2023 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series campaign as they closed their Hamilton 7s outing in tenth position after succumbing to a 5-26 defeat against Samoa in the 9th place final match.

Prior to the fourth outing of the season that was held in New Zealand from 21-22 January, the Damian McGrath currently coached side had finished joint last in the season opener in Hong Kong, settled for 11th in Dubai before going home with a 13th placed finish at the Cape Town 7s.

However, the spirited team showed incredible character on the second day of the tournament to ensure they scooped seven crucial points that will boost their chances of escaping relegation.

Having been bundled out of main cup contention on day 1 following losses to Samoa, Fiji and France in their tough group A, the team recollected themselves and started their placement matches with a morale boosting 21-5 Victor over Canada with Edmund Anya, Willy Ambaka and George Ooro getting on the scoresheet as a perfect Anthony Omondi converted all three tries to confirm ther progression.

Having gotten the wind knocked into their sail, the team staged an emphatic 33-19 victory against Tonga to seal their place in the bowl final.

Despite meeting Samoa for the second time in the tournament after their 31-5 group loss, the team could not come up with a winning formula as they once again tasted defeat with the 26-5 loss.

Alvin 'Buffa' Otieno had given the team the lead but the Samoans hit back with four tries to complete the comeback.

With the result, Shujaa now reap seven points will take their tally to 16 points ahead of the Sydney 7s that takes place next weekend in Australia from 27-29 January.