World 7s Series Qualifiers: Uganda beat Georgia to top group

Apr 06, 2018

Uganda are nearly through to the quarter-finals of the World Sevens Series Qualifiers after seeing off Georgia in Friday's second game.

2018 HSBC WORLD SEVENS SERIES QUALIFIERS

Friday results
Uganda 26  Georgia 10
Uganda 14  Chile  10


Next up
Japan v Uganda (Saturday)

Uganda took charge of Pool E in the 2018 World Rugby Sevens Series Qualifiers with a second win of Friday in Hong Kong.

Thanks again to Phillip Wokorach's spirited runs and tries, the Rugby Cranes beat Georgia 26-10, hours after edging Chile at Hong Kong Stadium.

Their last game will be against Japan on Saturday, and with two wins in two games already, coach Tolbert Onyango's team should start prepping for the quarter-finals.

Uganda now lead the group with six points, after their earlier victims Chile returned to beat Japan 19-10.

Japan and Chile are tied on four points each, while Georgia trails on two points.

The Hong Kong Sevens event Rugby Sevens team kicked off their quest for a place in the 2018 World Sevens Series with victory over Chile in Hong Kong.

 
The top two teams in each of the four qualifying groups will progress to the quarter-finals, due to be played on Saturday. 

From there, the winners of the quarter-finals will then play the semi-finals Sunday morning, with the final game to decide which team will join the main series due later that morning.

For now, Uganda will be in action again later on Friday against Georgia, before facing Japan Saturday morning to wrap up the group stages.

Japan will meet Chile on Friday after Uganda's game.

 

 

 
Analysis by New Vision's Kalungi Kabuye in Hong Kong

On paper, Uganda seems to have an easy game, and should be favourites to top their group, which includes Chile, Georgia and Japan. Japan looks to be the toughest contender, having played in the core series in 2016, but lost to invitees Uganda in both Dubai and Cape Town. But they come back knowing what to expect from the Rugby Cranes.

According to the team's coach Tolbert Onyango, his charges are as ready as they will ever be. "The boys are pumped and ready to play," Onyango said after the Ugandans had a training session.

"It's not going to be easy of course, because every team wants to qualify. So each game will be like we are playing a final, but they are focused and know what is at stake. We were here last year, so it will not be the first time and everyone knows what is at stake. But the players will give their best." 

 




 

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