Kenya Sevens lose to New Zealand in Commonwealth quarters

Kenya Sevens dropped to the Commonwealth Games fifth-place playoffs after a 31-0 loss to New Zealand in the Cup quarter-final match played on Saturday 30 July 2022.

With the defeat, Kenya will now square it out with Scotland in the fifth place semi-finals as they hope for a strong finish.

Shujaa concede five

Shujaa headed to the match against New Zealand knowing the task ahead and needed a win to keep their medal chances alive.

They however met a tough opposition that denied them points on board. After the final whistle, Shujaa had conceded five tries.

Kenya defended better in the opening minutes of the game and forced New Zealand to work hard for their opening try. NZ, on their part, exhibited a high level of patience and Ngarohi McGarvey-Black spotted a gap off a ruck and ran past his markers to score the game's opening try. The try was converted for a 7-0 advantage.

Regan Ware extended the advantage after overpowering his marker on the right wing, and the All Blacks led 12-0 at the interval.

Shujaa fail to contain

Clark Laidlaw's halftime talk was more effective as New Zealand broke through the Kenyan defence more in the second half. Kenya 7s failed to keep up with New Zealand's running the ball to the left and right.

Ware's second try of the day was set up by Joe Webber, while experienced Scott Curry's got his name on the board with another try. Dylan Collier's final try of the game clinched them a place in the semis

New Zealand face Fiji as South Africa play Australia in the other semi-final.