End of an era as Kenya relegated from World Rugby Sevens Series

The national sevens rugby team has been relegated from the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series following Sunday’s 12-7 playoff final loss to Canada at Twickenham Stadium, London.

Defeat meant the Kenyans have lost their status as a core team on international rugby’s elite sevens series for the first time in two decades.

The four-team relegation playoff — part of the HSBC London 7s, the 11th and final stop of the men's season — was a product of the World Series reducing the number of men's teams to 12 from 16 next season to align with the women's competition and the Olympic field.

Japan, the 15th-place team in the standings, was relegated after last weekend's tournament in Toulouse, France.

That left No. 12 Uruguay, No 13 Kenya, No. 14 Canada and Tonga, winner of the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series, in the round-robin relegation playoff.

Kenya had kept hopes alive after scrapping through to the final on points difference despite losing 14-10 against Uruguay.

Despite early nervy exchanges between the two teams, Shujaa were first off the mark as captain Nelson Oyoo went over the line after some good play by Billy Odhiambo. Tony Omondi converted for a 7-0 lead.

However tragedy hit as Kenya lost the impressive Kevin Wekesa to injury with Canada enjoying the more possession from that point on.

They eventually landed their first try through Josiah Morra with Brock Webster getting the extras for a 7-7 half time score.

Play remained steady in the second half with both teams searching for winner.

Shujaa's troubles piled up after John Okeyo was binned for two minutes. Canada capitalized on the numerical advantage as Alex Russell touched down for a 12-7 lead in the dying seconds of the match.

Despite Shujaa regaining possession from Canada's restart kick, the returning Okeyo was unable to capitalize as Canada regained possession and kicked the ball out to preserve their status.