Kenya Sevens rugby team faces U.S. challenge at World Series

NAIROBI, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's head coach Paul Murunga believes his side will continue the upward trajectory in the remaining legs of the World Series after it claimed seven points at the Hamilton Sevens in news.cn/tag/i0xngaj3163f76200c981b/index.html" target="_blank">new Zealand.

Kenya are in Pool B of the Sydney Sevens, the fourth stop of the circuit, alongside with the news.cn/tag/i0xngaj3163f76200c981b/index.html" target="_blank">new Zealand Sevens runners-up USA, Canada and France.

"The team is gaining experience and confidence by each game. What is important is to keep on improving and not to be carried away," Murunga said on Sunday.

In news.cn/tag/i0xngaj3163f76200c981b/index.html" target="_blank">new Zealand, Kenya beat Tonga 19-12 in the quarterfinal, a step forward for the side who had picked only four points from the opening two legs.

"The players have improved and we are getting our defense right. But there is still a mountain to climb if we have to finish in top four position," the coach added.

Kenya stayed 13th in the World Rugby Sevens Series with Fiji and the USA leading the standings.

Top four teams at the end of the world series (10 rounds) will qualify automatically for the Olympics in Tokyo 2020. Enditem