- SportPesa Blog explains why Kenya 7s did not get a chance to play in the fifth-place playoffs at the Hong Kong 7s, despite being among the best losers in the main Cup quarterfinals.
- Shujaa finished in seventh place in the tournament after defeating France in the seventh-place playoff at Kai Tak Sports Park on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
- They will now prepare for back-to-back legs in Valladolid from May 29–31, before concluding their campaign in Bordeaux from June 5–7.
The men’s national Sevens side, Shujaa, wrapped up the Hong Kong 7s on a high note as they managed to dispatch France in the seventh-place playoff, winning 21-7 on Sunday morning at the Kai Tak Sports Park.
Finishing seventh might not have been what Kevin Wambua’s men had envisioned, but considering they had just come up from Series 2 a few weeks ago, it’s a result worth acknowledging.
They were drawn into a tough Group C, facing core SVNS 1 sides Australia and New Zealand, losing both matches, but managed to beat the USA Eagles to secure a place in the main Cup quarterfinals. There, they were pitted against South Africa and narrowly lost 26–22 in the closing moments.
ALSO READ: Kenya 7s seal seventh place in Hong Kong 7s with convincing win over France
However, the seventh-place finish did not sit well with some rugby enthusiasts and Kenyans, who questioned the format.
Many felt Shujaa had what it takes to compete for fifth place or achieve a higher ranking, especially judging by their performances on Saturday and Sunday.
In previous years, before World Rugby introduced the new format and regulations, the four teams that lost in the main Cup quarterfinals would play each other in the fifth-place semifinals, followed by the fifth-place final.
The harsh SVNS rule that denied Kenya 7s a shot at fifth place in Hong Kong 7s
But to everyone’s shock, this season everything went contrary to that. Despite Kenya managing to be the best loser in the quarterfinals, where they lost 26-22, they were thrown into the seventh-place playoff against France, who had lost 19-10 to New Zealand.
Meanwhile, the second batch of “best losers” in the last eight saw Australia paired against Fiji.
That has really left many questioning why those two were paired for the fifth-place playoff and not Kenya, especially since Kenya lost by a smaller margin.
Fiji lost 24-17 to defending Hong Kong 7s champions Argentina, while Australia were handed a 19-5 loss by Spain.
ALSO READ: South Africa hand Shujaa a reality check in Hong Kong 7s main cup quarterfinals
SportPesa Blog breaks down why Shujaa did not qualify for the fifth-place playoff, or why teams in positions 5-8 did not get a chance to follow the same format as brackets 1-4 and 9-12.
All teams in 9-12 had a shot at the ninth-place semifinals and final, while the main Cup semifinal winners face off in the Cup final, with the losers competing in the third-place playoff.
Under the current structure, teams that top their pools gain a significant advantage. Even if they lose in the quarterfinals, they are ranked as the best losers and retain a pathway to higher placement matches.
That means a Division 2 team like Kenya, finishing third and qualifying for the last eight, playing their hearts out in the quarters and losing by just 4 points, get no advantage for maximum points because they finished third.
As a result, Fiji (Pool A winners) and Australia (Pool C winners) were deemed the top-ranked losers and paired together, while Kenya was matched with France.
Therefore, those teams were limited to lower placement playoffs, regardless of how closely contested their quarterfinal matches were.
The format has drawn criticism, including from former Shujaa coach Mike Friday, who termed it unfair.
He argued that while teams ranked 1–4 and 9–12 can play out for their final standings, those in positions 5–8 are denied the same opportunity despite league points and rankings being at stake.
“Why do the losing Cup Quarter finalists not get the opportunity to play out to secure their league ranking & standing points? – It’s grossly unfair as 1-4 & 9-12 play out for their ranking but not 5-8 – Jobs & programs are on the line – Feel for @OfficialKRU Mens 7s,” he wrote on his socials.
With this reality check in the opening leg of the World Championship pathway to SVNS 1 next season, Shujaa now have a month to regroup.
They will prepare for back-to-back legs in Valladolid from May 29–31, before concluding their campaign in Bordeaux from June 5–7, where the top eight teams will secure promotion to the HSBC SVNS 1.
Kenya 7s Hong Kong 7s Results
Friday, April 17
- Shujaa 5-14 Australia
- Shujaa 12-28 New Zealand
Saturday, April 18
- Shujaa 17-10 USA Eagles
- Shujaa 22-26 South Africa
Sunday, April 19
- Shujaa 21-7 France – Seventh place playoffs