The loss of nearly four weeks of training before Kenya flew out for the 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens at the AT&T Park came to haunt them on the second day of the tournament when they were beaten 24-14 by Ireland in the Challenge Trophy quarter finals.
Innocent Simiyu, the Kenya Sevens coach asserted that level of competition was uncompromising. "It is a process which has to be properly managed to have results."
Reflecting on the painful loss to Scotland on the opening day, the coach added that game management could have been one of the factors with the unavailability of some of the players also contributing.
Oscar Ouma, Billy Odhiambo and dan Sikuta who were key to Kenya's good performance in the Series could not travel because of various reasons. Ouma and Sikuta had family commitments while Odhiambo was injured.
"Under such circumstances, we have a squad to select from and we had the right mix t for this tournament," Simiyu stated.
Automatic qualification
At the back of his mind, the coach is aware that for the first time after two good World Cup tournaments in Dubai and Russia, Kenya will have to qualify.
"I think we have a squad which is capable of taking us to the next level. There are young and experienced players for the future but again, proper preparation and good execution will decide the results," he cautioned.
Kenya will now meet Samoa in the 13th place position playoffs. Wales beat Samoa 24-19 in extra time.
In Challenge Trophy quarterfinals, Kenya were starved of possession from the kick off by a tactical Ireland team who opted to go wide.at every opportunity.
This intense pressure resulted into a try by Hugo Keenan which Billy Dardis, the captain converted.
Jordan Conroy added the second try in the sixth minute to stretch the lead 12-0. William Ambaka replied with a try just before the break. Agero converted as Ireland led 12-7 at half time.
On resumption, Conroy extended the lead from the kick off pouncing on a ball which was palmed backwards by Ambaka.
Dardis landed the conversion. Ambaka raced over for his second and Agero converted but, Conroy completed his hattrick at death.
