‘The entire Daystar University community and Daystar Falcons Rugby stand proudly behind you, Patrick. We remain steadfast in our support,’ says Prof. Laban Ayiro
By Pura Vida Reporter and HSBC Sevens
With Patrick Odongo having been drafted into the newly-mooted Rugby Premier League (RPL), his Vice Chancellor at Daystar University, Professor Laban Ayiro, has rallied support for the Kenyan rugby sevens star.
Odongo, who is taking a Community Development major in the School of Applied Human Science at the university, will feature in the Rugby India franchise tournament to be played in India from June 1 to June 15 as among 30 top global stars drafted.
“The Rugby Premier League is a game-changer for rugby in India. With World Rugby’s support and GMR Sports’ expertise, we are set to deliver a league that showcases the finest talent and professionalism. Fans can expect nothing less than world-class rugby action that will inspire the next generation of athletes in our country,” Rahul Bose, President of Rugby India, said while announcing the tournament’s 10-year strategic partnership with GMR Sports, a pioneer in India’s sports ecosystem.
At the weekend, Prof. Ayiro said the entire Daystar University community and their rugby side – “The falcons” – were solidly behind Odongo.
“As both the Vice Chancellor and a mentor, I take immense pride in celebrating Patrick Odongo, who has made history as the only Kenyan selected to participate in the inaugural Rugby Premier League , the world’s first franchise-based Rugby Sevens league as announced by Rugby India,” The VC said in a statement.
“He will be competing alongside global rugby icons such as Perry Baker and Rosko Speckman in this global tournament, which will take place in India from June 1st to 15th.
“The entire Daystar University community and Daystar Falcons Rugby stand proudly behind you, Patrick. We remain steadfast in our support and wish you resounding success on this global stage. You have my blessings,” Prof. Ayiro noted.
Odongo battled injury at the weekend as Fiji held their nerve to score three second-half tries to defeat Kenya 21-12 at Singapore’s National Stadium in the final of the Singapore Sevens.
World Championship
The HSBC SVNS season will now culminate in the World Championship, where the top eight men’s and women’s teams will head to Dignity Health Sports Park, the LA 2028 Olympics venue, for a winner takes all battle on the pitch next month.
LA will also see the top four men’s and women’s teams from the HSBC Sevens Challenger face off against the bottom-four ranked teams in the SVNS rankings – including Kenya – in a high stakes promotion and relegation play-off to decide the 2026 line-up.
Fijians rally to beat Kenya in Singapore
Having been unable to capitalise on Fiji captain Sevuloni Mocenacagi’s two minutes in the sin bin, Nygel Pettersan Amaitsa raced on to a through ball and managed to touch down and convert the try to give Kenya the lead at half-time.
But Kenya, who were ninth in the rankings coming in to the tournament, could not halt the comeback as Viwa Naduvalo scored twice and Rauto Vakadranu added another. William Mwanji Indakalu pulled one back but Kenya ran out of time.
HSBC Player of the Final Viwa Naduvalo said: “Thanks to my teammates for giving 100 percent effort. We ended up with the win.”
Fiji go into the World Championships in Los Angeles next month in second place in the table, eight points adrift of League Winners Argentina. Kenya will contest the relegation playoffs.
Third-place play-off
League champions Argentina made it five podium finishes from the six HSBC SVNS events this season as they scored five tries to respond to Asher Perez and Pol Pla strikes for Spain.
Though not at their best following clinching the League Winners’ crown on day one, Los Pumas recovered well through Marcos Moneta and Tobias Wade to tie the game at 14-all.
Luciano Gonzalez blitzed through the Spanish midfield and got to about 15m before being felled only for German Schulz to float a kick out to Matteo Graziano to score. Gonzalez and Agustin Fraga got on the scoresheet too to claim third place 33-14, while Spain’s fourth place was their best ever in Singapore.
Odongo shines in semis
Ninth-ranked Kenya upset Spain to win their semi-final 12-5 with lightning-fast Odongo bringing a crowd to its feet when he got his hands on the ball, provingto be the match-winner, running in two tries.
“We put in the work and it finally paid off,” said Odongo pitch side afterwards.
Kenya, who played in the Challenger Series last year, were just over a minute away from reaching the final when a mistake allowed Pol Pla to slide over and set up a tense finish, but to the delight of their fans in the National Stadium they held on.
Argentina clinched the League title on day one in Singapore, but were second best to Fiji in the second semi-final, which was a thriller.
Marcos Moneta came out best in a race and wrestle with Fiji’s George Bose but Filipe Sauturaga restored parity. Luciano Gonzalez boomed over for Los Pumas before once more Fiji hit back, this time through Sakiusa Siqila in the corner.
Straightaway, George Bose kicked on and touched down after a knockdown by Joseva Talacolo from kick-off and in the second period Fiji showcased their big hits and beautiful offloads to move 26-12 in front through Sevuloni Mocenacagi.
From a lineout, Tomas Elizalde made an angle to cut the gap for Argentina, but following a sensational spinning offload by 7, Kavekini Tanivanuakula had time to kiss the ball on his way to a swan-dive score. Matteo Graziano scored a late consolation for Argentina in a 33-24 loss.
This update is generally attributed to Pura Vida’s Content team. Feel free to shared any feedback or or relevant info incase of inaccuracies.
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