CONFIRMED: Kenya Sevens to play in relegation playoffs after loss to Canada

RUGBY CONFIRMED: Kenya Sevens to play in relegation playoffs after loss to Canada

Imran Otieno 14:59 - 13.05.2023

Shujaa are on the brink of relegation from the series.

Kenya Sevens’ abysmal form this season hit another new low following a 33-7 loss against fellow relegation candidates Canada in the Toulouse 7s.

The loss means Kenya will have to battle for their HSBC World Rugby Seven Series core nation status in the promotion/relegation playoff.

Coming into the Toulouse 7s, Shujaa trailed Uruguay by 12 points, currently occupying the final safety position - 12th on the standings - and needed at least 15 points in the penultimate leg of the series to assure their safety.

The series is structured so that at the end of the penultimate event in Toulouse, the 15th-ranked team will be automatically relegated to the 2024 Challenger Series.

The 12th to 14th-ranked teams will face off against the Challenger Series 2023 winner for the final position in the 2024 World Series with Kenya sitting at a disappointing 13th.

After the loss, the maximum number of points Shujaa can accumulate in Toulouse is eight points should they finish ninth.

Shujaa posted another torrid start to the game, allowing Max Stewart to touch down easily but Daniel Taabu’s try and conversion put them ahead by two points.

Thomas Isherwood, David Richard, Matt Oworu, and Josiah Morra all bagged tries for Canada to compound Shujaa to the heavy defeat that saw them remain in the relegation playoff places.