Determined Shujaa fall to Argentina in Paris Olympics opener

Kenya's Shujaa kicked off the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on the wrong footing following 31-12 defeat against reigning World Rugby Sevens Series champions Argentina on Wednesday afternoon here at Stade de France.

The Kenyans were off the block in the pool B opening clash as Chrisant Ojwang danced his way to score in the fifth minute before co-captain Tony Omondi successfully converted the try.

Shujaa led 7-5 into the half time after the Argentines failed to convert Agustin Fraga's try.

After the break, Shujaa failed to hold on their first half momentum as experienced Argentines reigned supreme with Fraga finding his way again to score his second try which was converted by Pellandini Joaquin as the South Americans took control with 12-7.

Kevin Wekesa hit back for Kenya with an unconverted try to make it 12-12 but Elizalde Tomas gave Argentina a third try which Pellandini scored to make it 19-12.

Tries from substitutes Luciano Gonzalez and Marcos Moneta put the game beyond Kenya's approach falling 31-12 in the opening fixture.

Co-captain Omondi praised the Kenya's determination, adding that they would right their wrongs in their second fixture against Australia on Wednesday 8PM.

"We started very well and that was the game plan. We will now correct our mistakes before Australia match. We need to be confident and then play our game," Omondi told Citizen Digital.

Shujaa will wind up their preliminary matches against Samoa on Thursday 4PM.

Top two teams in each pool qualify to the quarter finals.

Substitute Marcos Moneta strolled past Kenya's defence to put the match home.

France struggled to live up to pre-tournament billing as favourites for Olympic Gold in rugby sevens Wednesday, after they were held to a 12-12 draw by the United States to the disappointment of a packed Stade de France.

Meanwhile, double Olympic champions Fiji burnished their own title credentials, swatting aside Uruguay 40-12 with typical Fijian flair and rugby superpower New Zealand also impressed.

Additional reporting by AFP