Brazil suffer heartbreaking defeat to Kenya

Brazil suffered a heart-breaking defeat to Kenya in the World Rugby U20 Trophy today. The 26-24 loss came with time up as the Africans landed a penalty to hand the tournament hosts their second defeat in the competition.

With the loss Brazil’s attention will now turn to avoiding bottom spot. They will need a strong showing in their remaining pool match against Uruguay on Wednesday.

Against Kenya, Brazil started superbly. Os Curumins were in firm control early on and they achieved results. Tries to flanker Rafael Dos Santos, and hooker Leonardo da Silva put Brazil 10-0 ahead after 12 minutes.

Kenya opened their account five minutes later. It came in the form of a clean break with winger Timothy Okwemba reaching over after Brian Amaitsa was stopped just short. It was converted by fly half Dominic Coulson who shortly thereafter landed two penalties to give Kenya a 13-10 half-time lead.

In the second half Kenya would go further ahead. A try from winger Geoffrey Okwach was converted by Coulson and with it Brazil’s early 10-0 lead had been reversed wit Kenya on top, leading 20-10.

Two further Coulson strikes would find their target, both coming in the form of penalties. Brazil, meanwhile would score two tries doing so via fullback Carlos Proença, and prop Henrique Ribeiro. With the conversions over Os Curumins were back in front.

Leading 24-23 with the clock winding down Brazil appeared to have the result finalized. Instead an infringement saw Kenya awarded a penalty which Poulson turned into a two point victory.

 

SCORING

KENYA 26
Tries – T. Okwemba (17’), G. Okwach (41’)
Cons – D. Coulson 2/2 (18’, 42’)
Pens – D. Coulson 4/5 (22’, 35’, 45’, 80’)

BRAZIL 24
Tries – R. Dos Santos (5’), L. Da Silva (12’), C. Proença (55’), H. Ribeiro (69’)
Cons – F. Spago 2/4 (56’, 70’)

 

TEAMS

KENYA u20
1 Andrew Siminyu, 2 Bonface Ochieng (capt.), 3 Ian Masheti, 4 Emanuel Silungi, 5 Hibrahim Ayoo, 6 Samuel Were, 7 Brian Amaitsa, 8 George Kyriazi, 9 Samuel Asati, 10 Dominic Coulson, 11 Timothy Okwemba, 12 John Okoth, 13 James McGreevy, 14 Geoffrey Okwach, 15 Andrew Matoka

Replacements: 16 Wilfred Waswa, 17 Ian Njenga, 18 Collins Obure, 19 Rotuk Rahedi, 20 Frank Aduda, 21 Sheldon Kahi, 22 Barry Robinson, 23 Owain Ashley, 24 Michele Brighetti

BRAZIL u20
1 Naassom Porto, 2 Leonardo Da Silva, 3 Henrique Ribeiro, 4 Samoel Bertan, 5 Filippo Bugno, 6 Henrique Da Silva, 7 Rafael Dos Santos, 8 Adrio de Melo (capt.), 9 Felipe Cunha, 10 Lucas Spago, 11 Murillo Bonesso, 12 Joel Santos, 13 Gabriel Quirino, 14 Vicent Quirino, 15 Carlos Proença

Replacements: 16 Felipe Quevedo, 17 Marcos de Melo, 18 Gabriel Oliviera, 19 Weslley Barbosa, 20 Matheus de Oliviera, 21 Alisson Kalkmann, 22 Guylherme Rangel, 23 Carlos Moura, 24 João Furst, 25 Gerónimo Olivares

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Gonzalo Ventoso (URU)
Assistants: Frank Méndez (FERUCHI) & Matías Esteban (URU)