Shujaa’s Bid for Top Flight Return Off to a Bad Start After Defeat to Australia in Hong Kong

Kenya Sevens started their quest for top flight promotion on the wrong footing following a 14-5 defeat to Australia in their HSBC World Championship opener in Hong Kong on Friday.

Shujaa, who finished second in the second tier, are among four sides who have joined the eight top flight teams in the three-legged playoffs where the top eight will seal a place in the World Series in 2027.

However, it was not the start they were hoping for as Australia welcomed them with a loss in Hong Kong. Shujaa, returning to the scene where they reached the cup final in 2018, losing 24-12 to Fiji, were sliced open by the Aussies who scored their first try through Josh Turner, who also converted it for 7-0.

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Soon after, Australia added seven more points after good wing play that saw James Turner turn on the afterburners to touch down a converted try for 14-0 at the break.

Coach Kevin Wambua’s halftime pep talk to his boys paid off in the second half as Kenya did not just score but also avoided conceding in the second half.

Immediately upon restart, Kenya scored after Vincent Onyala won an aerial ball and it fell kindly to Denis Abukuse, who sprinted to the try line to score Shujaa’s only try.

After this, it was a sprinted defensive display from Wambua’s charges, who kept Australia at bay, but their inability to find something in attack saw them lose the match.

With New Zealand beating USA 19-12 earlier, Kenya have their work cut out if they are to make the cup quarter-finals. Shujaa must beat New Zealand in their next match on Friday afternoon (3.47pm Kenyan time) and the Americans to be certain of a place in the last eight.

New Zealand and Australia have three points each in Group C, with USA on one, while Kenya are pointless after the opening round of matches.