Singapore Sevens

The North American final came after a day of shocks, with the United States recording a 24-19 victory over Olympic champions Fiji in the quarter-finals of the tournament.

Canada had also achieved a surprise win over their own by overcoming New Zealand in the last eight, achieving a 26-14 success.

They followed up the display by beating England 17-5 in the semi-finals, while the US secured a dominant 40-7 win over Australia.

The Canadian team made a stunning start to the final with tries from Matt Mullins, Harry Jones and Mike Fuailefau giving them a 19-0 lead.

The win put Kenya on course to defending the Singapore title they won last season.

Gordon Langkilde put Samoa ahead with a converted try before Amonde weaved through the Pacific Islanders defence to draw Innocent Simuyu's charges level at the stroke of half-time.

Second half tries by Billy "The Kid" Odhiambo and Nelson Oyoo helped Shujaa see off Samoa, although the Islanders were undone by two yellow cards to their players in a span of two minutes.

The Pacific nation, winners of the Hong Kong Sevens last weekend, booked their place in the last eight by topping Pool A with a 100 per cent record.

Fiji began by thrashing Hong Kong 52-0, before they swept aside Russia 38-7 and Canada 35-7 to complete an ominous start to the tournament at the National Stadium.

New Zealand also progressed with three straight victories as they clinched top spot in Pool D.

The All Blacks Sevens were pushed all the way by Scotland in their group opener as they battled to a narrow 22-21 win.

With teams still getting in their recovery training after the three tough days in Hong Kong, they've had time to look back on what was and what could have been.

Not least for USA captain Madison Hughes, who led his side to extra-time in the semi-finals against series leaders South Africa, before a mistake cost them the game.

“We were really disappointed, as they are a fantastic team," said Hughes.

It's difficult to fathom just how much natural talent Kenya's sevens players have.

They are not full time professional rugby players, with some working in agriculture, TV production, public relations and medicine to name but a few professions.

 It's a highly qualified team off the pitch and on the pitch Kenya reached a new pinnacle in 2016 when they won their first ever world series tournament in Singapore.

Hong Kong Cup winners Fiji head up pool A and will face England, Samoa and Portugal, while Hong Kong's beaten finalists New Zealand will play USA, France and Canada in pool B.

South Africa will play Kenya, Scotland and Russia in pool C and in the fourth of the pools Australia will face Wales, Argentina and Japan.

After seven rounds of the series Fiji have stretched out to a five-point lead at the top of the HSBC, now ahead of New Zealand who are one point clear of third-placed South Africa. Australia and USA remain fourth and fifth travelling on to Singapore.