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Latest News
Rugby World Cup Sevens San Francisco 2018 - Day Three
1 min read

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Island Tribe to keep fans protected as the sun shines on Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Island Tribe has been appointed as an Official Supplier of Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 in Cape Town, as momentum continues towards the biggest showcase of the sevens game on the planet.

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Thu 23 June, 2022
1 min read
World Rugby logo - one to use for generic releases
1 min read

RWC Sevens 2022

Match officials selected for Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 in South Africa

World Rugby has announced the selection of match officials for Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022, which takes place in Cape Town, South Africa, from 9-11 September.

RWC Sevens 2022

Fri 10 June, 2022
1 min read
HSBC France Sevens 2022 Women's
3 min read

RWC Sevens 2022

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022: 100 days to go

As the countdown to RWC Sevens 2022 heads into the final 100 days, we give you the lowdown on the showpiece tournament to get you excited for kick-off in Cape Town.

RWC Sevens 2022

Wed 1 June, 2022
3 min read
Andy Vilk, head coach of Italy men's sevens
4 min read

RWC Sevens 2022 qualifying

Italy men’s sevens team seeks return to the big stage

The European men's qualification tournament for Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 is on the horizon with the prize of four tickets to Cape Town, South Africa at stake in July.

RWC Sevens 2022 qualifying

Thu 19 May, 2022
4 min read
HSBC Canada Women's Sevens 2022
4 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Black Ferns Sevens renew riveting rivalry with Australia on HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Australia wrapped up the 2022 Series title in Langford, but the Black Ferns Sevens left Canada with plenty to celebrate as they begin a busy period.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Tue 3 May, 2022
4 min read
2018 Highlights
Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018
08:29 mins

Highlights: New Zealand win big in San Francisco

New Zealand retained their Rugby World Cup Sevens title in San Francisco
Mon 23 July, 2018
08:29 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018
07:03 mins

Highlights: New Zealand women's win Rugby World Cup Sevens

Check out all the top action as New Zealand win The Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco
Sun 22 July, 2018
07:03 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens San Francisco 2018 - Day Two
06:30 mins

HIGHLIGHTS: Men's semi-finals confirmed after thrilling day two

Men's semi-finals confirmed after thrilling day two of action at Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018 #RWC7s
Sun 22 July, 2018
06:30 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens San Francisco 2018 - Day One
06:51 mins

Highlights: Men's quarter-finals decided

Men's quarter-finals of Rugby World Cup Sevens decided after incredible first day at AT&T Park
Sat 21 July, 2018
06:51 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018
06:26 mins

Highlights: Women's semi-finals confirmed at Rugby World Cup Sevens

Championship semi-finals confirmed after thrilling day one of action
Sat 21 July, 2018
06:26 mins
RWC 2021
Wednesday 25 August, 2021
3 min read

Maria Arzuaga the hero as Colombia keep Rugby World Cup 2021 dream alive

Las Tucanes winger scores all of her side’s points as Colombia beat Kenya 16-15 to win their first test in nearly 18 months and secure a place at the Final Qualification Tournament.
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On a bright, sunny day in Nairobi, Kenya and Colombia came together for the first time in a women’s international to compete for a place at the Final Qualification Tournament for Rugby World Cup 2021.

Homefield advantage and a World Rugby Women's Ranking five places higher than their opponents had Kenya marked down as favourites before kick-off, but the Lionesses’ high error and penalty count, and three yellow cards, hurt them badly.

After both teams had missed their first penalty attempts at goal, Maria Arzuaga made no mistake from in front of the posts to put her side 3-0 up in the 18th minute of their first international match since March 2020 and first away from home.

She then kicked another shortly after Kenya captain Juliet Nyambura had been sent to the sin-bin as a result of persistent team offences.

The misfiring Kenyans conceded a further five points while their first-choice loose-head prop was off the field, and it was Arzuaga who again got her name on the scoresheet, the left winger crossing in the corner after good hands from tight-head Alejandra Betancur and fly-half Camila Lopera.

Lopera was unable to land the difficult conversion and the score stayed at 11-0 to the visitors until, at last, Kenya managed to keep their heads, and the ball, in attack.

Enid Ouma and Bernadette Olesia were stopped inches short but Colombia were powerless to prevent fellow forward, number eight Leah Wambui, from crashing over on the stroke of half-time. Grace Adhiambo Okulu converted to reduce the gap to just four points at the break.

Double yellow costs Kenya

With Olympian Sinaida Aura Omondi seeing more of the ball, Kenya started to make inroads in the Colombian defence. A dangerous run from the winger ended with her inside pass being deliberately knocked forward by Leidy Soto. Okulu’s kick from the resulting penalty hit the far upright but still went over.

Kenya continued to up the tempo, and after a strong run out of defence by Wambui, the Lionesses forced a penalty inside the Colombian half. It was quickly taken and Janet Okello used her strength and pace to join fellow Tokyo 2020 Olympian Wambui on the scoresheet.

A high tackle from Wambui in the 55th minute, deemed worthy of a yellow card, checked Kenya’s momentum. And worse was to come five minutes later when Zimbabwean referee Precious Pazani reached into her pocket again and dispatched flanker Michelle Akinyi to the sidelines for 10 minutes.

The 13 players of Kenya were under intolerable pressure, and from a dominant scrum five metres out, Colombia scrum-half Andrea Ramirez launched a blindside move which was finished off by Arzuaga, to put Las Tucanes ahead by the narrowest of margins.

With a couple of minutes remaining, Kenya had an opportunity to kick for goal when awarded a penalty just over 35 metres out, but they chose to tap it instead and the move came to nothing when they went off their feet at the resulting breakdown.

To their delight, Colombia managed to see the game out and can now look forward to competing against Samoa and two other teams – one from Asia and one from Europe – for the last ticket to Rugby World Cup 2021 in New Zealand. The date and venue for the Final Qualification Tournament has yet to be confirmed.

One thing that will be confirmed on Monday, at 12 noon BST, is a new record high of 26th place for Colombia in the World Rugby Women’s Rankings.

Las Tucanes will also be the higher-ranked of the two teams, with Kenya dropping three places to 28th as a result of their sixth consecutive defeat

Read more: Samoa maintain Rugby World Cup 2021 hopes with six-try defeat of Tonga >>

Photos: Alex Burbano / Fecorugby and Arigi Obiero

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RWC 1995: trophy presentation
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RWC Sevens 2022

Francois Pienaar can’t wait for Rugby World Cup Sevens in Cape Town

The former Springbok captain, who lifted the Webb Ellis Cup with South Africa at RWC 1995, is looking forward to welcoming the world's best sevens players to Cape Town in September.

RWC Sevens 2022

Fri 24 June, 2022
2 min read
Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games
2 min read

Olympic Games

Olympic Day: Countdown to Paris 2024 already under way

On the day that the world gets moving, World Rugby looks at the qualification pathway for the men’s and women’s sevens tournaments at the next Olympic Games.

Olympic Games

Thu 23 June, 2022
2 min read
Rugby World Cup Sevens San Francisco 2018 - Day Three
1 min read

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Island Tribe to keep fans protected as the sun shines on Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Island Tribe has been appointed as an Official Supplier of Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 in Cape Town, as momentum continues towards the biggest showcase of the sevens game on the planet.

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Thu 23 June, 2022
1 min read
HSBC Rugby Sevens Hong Kong - Day 3
4 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Seven magnificent moments from the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens

Whet your appetite as the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series prepares to return to Hong Kong for the first time in more than three years this November.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Wed 22 June, 2022
4 min read
2022 - Brazil win Sudamérica Rugby 7s
2 min read

REGIONAL FOCUS: SOUTH AMERICA

As Yaras continue to dominate in South America

In winning their 20th consecutive Sudamérica Rugby Sevens tournament, Brazil continues to top the regional tables.

REGIONAL FOCUS: SOUTH AMERICA

Thu 16 June, 2022
2 min read
Australia v Fiji 2021 PacificAus Sports Oceania Sevens
2 min read

Oceania Rugby

Oceania Rugby seeks to provide “best preparation possible” for showpiece tournaments through regional competitions

Two regional tournaments will take place in Auckland in June and July to help teams prepare for Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022, the Commonwealth Games 2022 and Rugby World Cup 2021.

Oceania Rugby

Thu 9 June, 2022
2 min read
Rob Vickerman Karl Tenana
3 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Rob Vickerman: Olympic qualification means “every second counts” in new World Series format

The HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series commentator is already relishing what 2023 has to offer after a new blockbuster schedule was revealed on Tuesday, 31 May.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Thu 2 June, 2022
3 min read
HSBC France Sevens 2022 Women's
3 min read

RWC Sevens 2022

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022: 100 days to go

As the countdown to RWC Sevens 2022 heads into the final 100 days, we give you the lowdown on the showpiece tournament to get you excited for kick-off in Cape Town.

RWC Sevens 2022

Wed 1 June, 2022
3 min read
16x9 Graphic
5 min read

Rugby Sevens

Olympic qualification at stake as bumper HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2023 schedule announced

A blockbuster schedule for the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2023 has been announced today with a full roster of teams and hosts as the dynamic, high octane Olympic sport continues to grow, evolve and engage new fans around the globe

Rugby Sevens

Tue 31 May, 2022
5 min read
HSBC London Sevens 2022
2 min read

HSBC Sevens Series

“I couldn’t be prouder” – Nick Malouf on Australia’s historic win in HSBC London Sevens

One of the most exciting men’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series title races in recent memory will go right down to the wire when the competition concludes in Los Angeles at the end of August.

HSBC Sevens Series

Mon 30 May, 2022
2 min read
Global Partners
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