Wow! What an exciting finish to the Singapore Rugby Sevens 2016 held at Singapore's awesome National Stadium. The surprising Kenya took 140 tournaments to break their losing streak and became only the second African nation after South Africa to win one HSBC World Rugby Sevens series leg. Rugby Sevens will feature for the first time in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio and chances looked good for Kenya as it was only their third time the team had advanced to the Cup final of Rugby Sevens series leg.
In the finals, Kenya, to the surprise of over 20,000 fans in the Singapore stadium, scored a 20-0 half-time lead over the crowd favourite and reigning Rugby Sevens champion Fiji with two of their four tries from their superb player Collins Injera.
The action on the rugby field was fast and furious with quick tries from Kenya. However, the interesting thing was Kenya failed to convert any of the kicks to get extra points on the scoreboard.
The action on the rugby field was fast and furious with quick tries from Kenya. However, the interesting thing was Kenya failed to convert any of the kicks to get extra points on the scoreboard.
Fiji regrouped and briefly rallied after the half-time break, but Kenyan players were strong and packed with lots of pace.
Kenya held firm and scored two further tries to seal an upset win to create history in Singapore...
A strong Fiji defence in waiting...
Fiji tried to hold onto the Kenya players when they burst out to score a try...
With this special win in Singapore, Kenya team had shot up to seventh in the standings after their 22-points haul (first place winners), with Fiji extending their lead at the top to eight points (second place) over South Africa with two rounds remaining for the Rugby Sevens series in France and England. South Africa finished third after thrashing Argentina 28-0.Samoa landed the second tier Plate title after beating New Zealand, Scotland edged out United States to land the Bowl and Russia beat off Wales to win the Shield.
Overall, the Rugby Sevens which was previously held 10 years ago in Singapore, was a lot more exciting and drew over 23,000 fans to the stadium for the two days of rugby action on 16 and 17 April 2016.
With good entertainment like the famous DJ Pete Tong spinning the music track with live fireworks (after the first day rugby action) and bands playing rock music during the breaks, the Rugby Sevens event hopes to be an entertaining sporting spectacle on an annual basis in Singapore.
Rock, Ruck, Rumble and Cheers to Rugby!
