Kenya Beat Fiji to Win Singapore Sevens

Kenya, ranked eighth in the world, shocked defending champions and Series leader Fiji 30-7 to win the 2016 HSBC World Rugby Singapore Sevens.

The Kenyans raced to a 20-0 lead at half-time before Fiji’s Jerry Tu scored a converted try to bring the score to 7-20. However tries from substitute Nelson Oyoo and Frank Wanyama ensured Kenya their first ever World Rugby Series Cup victory.

Kenya’s record-chasing star, Collins Injera, scored two tries in the final to close in on Argentina's Santiago Gomez Cora (230 tries) at the top of the all-time try scoring chart with 225 tries on the World Sevens Series.

“Beating Fiji makes it extra special, they are the strongest team and they are leading the Series, so getting 30 points against Fiji is simply amazing,” said Collins Injera who won the HSBC Player of the Final award. “We started the tournament well on Saturday and we knew if we kept playing hard and minimise our mistakes, the results will come. Winning this final means more to me than the all-time try scoring record. The ultimate goal is to medal at the Olympics. This is definitely a step towards the Olympics, we need to keep building on this and improve further.”

Coach Benjamin Ayimba, added, “Winning a tournament outside of Africa has never been done before. Given this is the first time, this win will encourage more kids in Africa to play rugby and now they also have more heroes to look up to. This is definitely a milestone for the whole continent and not just for Kenya.”

Earlier, South Africa beat Argentina 28-0 to win the third place play-off and move to second in the Series standings, just eight points Fiji.

Samoa took the Plate final by coming from behind 14-21 to beat New Zealand 26-21 for the first time in 13 attempts, a run dating back to 2012.

Scotland won the Bowl with 14-10 victory over USA, while Russia pick up three valuable series points after a 24-7 victory over Wales in the Shield.

The Series now moves to Paris and London, before Sevens rugby makes its historic debut at the Rio Olympics this August.

Rugby pictures: Pictures from 2019 Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, Pictures from 2018 Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, Pictures from 2017 Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, Pictures from 2016 Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, Pictures of Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2015, Pictures of the Asia Rugby Sevens Olympic Games Qualifier in Hong Kong, Pictures of Singha Thailand Sevens 2015, Pictures from the 2013 British & Irish Lions Tour in Hong Kong, Pictures of Hong Kong Sevens 2014, Pictures of Hong Kong Sevens 2013, Pictures of Chartis Cup 2012 and Pictures of Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2012.

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