Rugby Union News: Kenya Dominates Day One of World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger in Munich
Kenya Stuns Opponents in Pool C
Munich, Germany, May 18, 2024 – The top contenders in the men’s Challenger Series secured their quarter-final spots on the opening day of the tournament at Dantestadion in Munich. Kenya, the perennial rugby union powerhouse, delighted their passionate supporters with a clean sweep in Pool C, defeating Japan, Portugal, and Chile to finish top of their group.
Kenyan Fans Energize the Crowd
The African rugby union team’s raucous fans were one of the highlights of the day, with a massive Kenyan contingent turning out in force to back their beloved squad. Meanwhile, hosts Germany and Hong Kong China are locked in a tight battle for the crucial fourth-place position in the overall standings, with the team that finishes higher this weekend securing a spot in the HSBC SVNS play-off in Madrid.
Germany Narrowly Misses Top Spot in Pool A
Germany’s narrow 24-21 defeat against series leaders Uruguay in the final match of the day could prove pivotal as they head into Sunday’s action. The German national rugby union team had to settle for second place in Pool A, despite earlier victories over Georgia and Papua New Guinea.
Hong Kong China Excels in Pool B
Hong Kong China, on the other hand, continued their strong form from the previous event in Montevideo. They topped Pool B with wins over Uganda, Tonga, and Mexico, boasting an impressive points difference of +108.
“We are qualified for the quarterfinals. It’s the objective we had today, so we’re very happy that we achieved our goal today,” said Uruguay’s James McCubbin. “Our objective is to achieve first place, so we know the pressure, we are familiar with it, we like it, so we embrace it.”
The Challenger Series, introduced in 2020, serves as a crucial development pathway for rugby union, providing teams with the opportunity to earn promotion to the top-level HSBC SVNS circuit, which has seen significant growth in recent years.
Fans can follow the exciting action from Munich live on rugbypass.tv.
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