Uganda Sevens pummel Brazil in Challenger Series opener

Aaron Ofoyrwoth and the Uganda Sevens ran over Germany on Friday /COURTESY PICTURE

RUGBY Uganda Sevens pummel Brazil in Challenger Series opener

Ndyamuhaki J Emanzi 09:43 - 28.04.2023

Wokorach and Olango got two late tries to complete the rout and hand Uganda their first win in the tournament's second round.

The Uganda Rugby Cranes Sevens started the second round of the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series with a convincing 31-07 win over Brazil Friday morning in Stellenbosch, South Africa.

Tries from Norbert Okeny, Aaron Ofoyrwoth, Michael Wokorach and Allan Olango were enough for Tolbert Onyango's charges to overcome the South American side.

Uganda were on the back foot at the start of the game, and after sustained pressure, Brazil forced their way over the line for the game's first try.

The response was immediate for the African champions, Norbert Okeny, beating everyone for pace to touch down under the uprights.

Ofoyrwoth converted to level matters, and the two sides went into the break tied at 07-07.

Ofoyrwoth found his way through the Brazilian defence off a scrum to score Uganda's second try and convert for the Cranes to lead 14-07.

Okeny then completed his brace to stretch the lead further.

Wokorach and Olango got two late tries to complete the rout and hand Uganda their first win in the tournament's second round.

The African champions cruised through their Pool C games last weekend before falling to Germany at the quarterfinal stage.

And having finished fifth in the first round, Uganda will be looking to make progress this weekend by getting past the quarterfinal hurdle.

The three-time African champions will play the Korean Republic Friday afternoon in their second pool game before facing Germany on Saturday.

The World Challenger Series provides a pathway to the HSBC World Rugby Series Circuit, something Uganda has been pushing to get to since 2017 when they played in the World Series Qualifier in Hong Kong.

World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series

Result

Uganda 31-07 Brazil