Kenya Steals the Show With Upset Win

Kenya beat New Zealand for the first time in 14 attempts to proceed with them and the rest of the top seeds to the Cup quarter finals at the USA Sevens in San Diego.

Los Teros of Uruguay gave the USA Sevens its first shock result by upsetting the Kenyans 14-12 in their opening match, but the African side performed the ultimate recovery job in beating the Kiwis at the end of the day. South Africa, Samoa and Fiji were all unbeaten at PETCO Park

Knowing that only victory against the kiwis was enough to stay in the Cup, the Kenyans started well with tries by captain Humphrey Kayange and Brian Nyikuli. New Zealand, missing several key players but still a force in the game, hit back through Tu Umaga-Marshall to trail 14-7 at the break but two tries by Victor Oduor sparked mass celebrations from the thousands of amassed Kenyan fans present in the generous crowd.

Earlier, World Cup-bound Uruguay caused an early upset by beating the Kenyans 14-12. The Uruguayans scored two tries through Santiago Carracedo and Santiago Gibernau and then defended with their lives to shut the Africans out for much of the match. Matias Arocena slotted both conversions for Los Teros, while only one of Kenya's tries by Lavin Asego and Collins Injera went converted.

Benjamin Ayimba, Kenya coach

"It was a very bad start and we knew we had to raise our game. It was probably a blessing in disguise losing that game [against Uruguay] because then we always went a notch higher in the next games that we played and ultimately of course playing New Zealand and beating them three tries to one, which is definitely an achievement.

"The commitment of the boys has been exemplary. Back home they've had to leave jobs and school and sometimes it weighs down on them but this time they responded."

Humphrey Kanyange, Kenya captain

"What a day. We like doing it the hard way and really responded well in the last two games, it's a sign of what's going to come in the World Cup.

"What we want to achieve in the World Cup now looks much more possible."