Kenya too strong for Cooks

The national rugby sevens squad were unable to hold off an energetic Kenyan team 19-12 in their first match at the Adelaide Sevens in Australia yesterday.

The predominantly local based squad got off to a magic start with local face of rugby sevens Conrad Piri of the Tupapa club showing his speed to dot down for the Cooks 37 seconds into the game.

Kenya hit back with a try of their own via the nation’s best known sevens star Kayange to lead 7-5 at half time.

It was all Kenyan action early in the second spell with Lavin Asego scoring and extending the team’s lead 12-5.

Sailosi Nagi of the Ngatangiia club stuck 4 minutes into the second half to peg back the Kenya lead and this time Koiatu Koiatu slotted the ball between the sticks to even up the scores 12-all and force the game into overtime.

Tai Joseph Jnr of the Tupapa club took to the field as a late substitution for his debut in the international sevens arena.

But it was Kenya’s Collins Injera that had the last say when he scored for his team to win the match for Kenya 19-12.

The Cook Islands then faced New Zealand in their next game before playing Wales in their last Pool A competition.

Day two of the Adelaide sevens will be screened live on CITC today starting at 2pm.