Uganda finishes 14th at HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Uganda Rugby Cranes players and officials pose for a photo at Kyadondo before they left for the World Series sevens in Dubai and Cape Town. PHOTO: David Namunyala 

HSBC World Series - Cape Town

Wales 29 Uganda 7

Scotland 38 Uganda 7

Uganda 5 Samoa 29

Challenge trophy

Australia 42 Uganda 12

Uganda 21 Japan 17

Uganda 10 Canada 19

Uganda finishes 14th out of 16 teams

It was a beautiful spectacle whenever Uganda attacked, but in the end, they could only manage one win against Japan as they finished 14th at the HSBC World Series Rugby Sevens in Cape Town.

And as the team returns home, it is Uganda's defence that should be the immediate concern for Coach Tolbert Onyango, going forward.

Uganda lost to Australia 35-12 on day two, in the first match of the Challenge trophy before beating Japan 21-17 in the afternoon.

This was Uganda's second win over Japan in two weeks following the 26-19 they registered earlier in Dubai.

Phillip Wokorach (1 try and 2 onversions), Pius Ogena, Al Haji Manago (penalty try) ensured Uganda left with at least a win. They were set to play Samoa, who they lost to 29-5 earlier, in the 13 place play-off final by press time.

But the way some of Uganda's tries were worked out especially Lawrence Ssebuliba's against Australia points to a bright future, only if they can as well learn to defend as a team.

Ssebuliba's try brought the CapeTowns7s crowd to their feet just like when Eric Kasiita powered his way through the Australian defense, a meter to the try line.

Sam Myers gave Australia an early lead after two minutes before Ssebuliba, who scored four tries earlier in Dubai responded with a sublime touch down. Beaten for pace, moments later, the Ugandans were caught napping as Alex Gibbon stretched Australia's lead for a 21-7 half-time score.

In the second half, Gibbon added another try before Uganda Captain Eric Kasiita scored another try for Uganda who dared to defy the odds and were seen as trying to punch above weight against their more experienced opponents.

Against Canada, in the 13th place play-off, again poor defending was evident despite Uganda scoring two beautiful tries through Ramathan Govule and Lawrence Ssebuliba, in the 19-10 loss.

On day-one Uganda had lost all their group games against Wales, Scotland and Samoa. Uganda's Phillip Wokorach and Lawrence Ssebuliba have been outstanding for Team Uganda with 26 and 28 tackles as well as 22 and 25 carries respectively.

Focus for the team will now turn to next year's Hong Kong Sevens where they have already qualified.