The USA 7s will have a new champion, as 2009 champs Argentina are in the Bowl bracket. But four dynamic and exciting teams are still in the hunt for the championship after Sunday’s quarterfinals.
In the first quarterfinal, New Zealand edged rivals South Africa 12-5 in a game that was far more grit and defense than either wanted. New Zealand ran out to a 12-0 lead with Ben Souness and Kurt Baker doing the damage. But they couldn’t pull away. Cecil Afrika burst onto a ball to run in from long range and the rest of the game
In the most exciting of a series of exciting quarterfinals, Kenya came back from 21-14 down and seconds to go to tie the game, and then win in overtime.
Humphrey Kayange’s try made the score 21-19 with no time left, and then Lavin Asego hit the clutch conversion to tie the game.
In overtime Kenya seemed to want to give the game away, putting the kickoff out on the full and then committing a crucial infraction in their own end. But somehow they weathered the storm, and after Collins Injera booted the ball downfield, Gibson Kahuthia stole the ball form the back of England’s scrum and offloaded to Benedict Nyambu for the winning try.
Kenya’s vocal and numerous USA following exploded in cheers.
The Kenyans will be joined in the semis by Samoa, who weathered an early try by Wales to win 17-10. Alafoti Fa’osiliva capped off two brilliant tries to stake his team to the lead. Samoa looked unsure of themselves for the first five minutes, but completely changed their attitude in the second half, regaining their old swagger.
And then the second upset of the quarters, as Australia not only beat Fiji, but dominated them. Fiji seemed mentally unfocused, and certainly Australia wanted it more. Bernard Foley blasted Fiji with two tries and the Aussies never looked back.
That sets up the following matchups for the rest of the day:
Shield Semifinals
Canada v. Japan
Scotland v. Guyana
Bowl Semifinals
France v. Chile
USA v. Argentina
Plate Semifinals
South Africa v. England
Fiji v. Wales
Cup Semifinals
New Zealand v. Kenya
Samoa v. Australia