Rugby 101

Forget launch parties and celebrity club nights: everybody knows that the hottest ticket on Hong Kong’s social calendar is the Rugby Sevens. For one weekend a year, Hong Kong Stadium is taken over by die-hard rugby fans and die-hard party people alike for three days of drinking, dancing and world-class rugby. But whether you’re a first-timer or an old hand, there’s always something new to learn about the event. Luckily, we’ve got you covered, from where to line your stomach for a full day of beer to what to pack in your Sevens survival kit.

A

Alcohol - Yes, there will be alcohol, and lots of it. According to a report by Bloomberg in 2010, more than 200,000 pints of beer, 60,000 glasses of Pimms and 10,000 glasses of wine were consumed over the weekend in 2009—and that’s not even counting the Bloody Marys, vodka Red Bulls and Sea Breezes also on offer.

B

Be Prepared - Don’t go to the stadium with your arms swinging free. Here are some basic items no rugby fan should be without.
Cash. And plenty of it. You don’t want to queue at the ATM for an hour, trust us.
A spare t-shirt. What with all the sweating and drink spillage, you’ll be glad to have a change of clothes.
A spare pair of underpants. Best-case scenario is you get lucky. Worst case? Let’s not go there…
A Camelbak. No bottles in the stadium, so bag up your water/cheap Seven-11 vodka before you arrive. Alternative: a box of wine, sans box, for the classy lady.
Sunscreen and sun hat. The South Stand has no sun protection whatsoever.
Lots of tissues. What—you think you’re going to find any in the toilet stalls?
A match schedule and a pen.
A fake pass to the executive level. Make it with a coaster and some crayons (it’s worth a shot).

C

Costumes - What are you wearing to the Sevens?

Kimberley Mills, Plug PR “I have just been informed that my costume is a Mexican tequila girl, because this year Mexico is the guest team.”
Robert Mills, finance, on his stag weekend “A giant moose.”
Caroline Wannan, Derivative Sales and Trading, on her hen night “Black Swan—full black ballet tutu, pointe shoes and tiara. Enough to make Natalie Portman green (or black?) with envy.”
James Kibble (and 45 other friends), finance, also attending stag weekend “Hunters!”
Dan Codling, managing director of Seasons Fitness “We will definitely be there. Outfits: the rocker group, Kiss.”
David Hughes, director, Jade Water Group and co-ordinator for the Rwandan rugby team “Yes, we are going to the Sevens. We have not confirmed the costumes, but are keen to go as “Star Wars.” The Rwandan team will be Storm Troopers and l will be Darth Vader.”
Steven McGuigan, finance “Fifty of us are going as a traditional English fox hunt, red jackets, jodhpurs, boots and whips, with girls as ‘foxy’ foxes and possibly a couple of protestors thrown in for good measure.”
Matthew Price, teacher “Our idea this year is ‘toy soldiers’ like the ones from the movie Toy Story. The idea was thought up by my friend Gary Hill and he has found some excellent props and clothes. We will be wearing army-style clothing sprayed green, and we will have matching helmets and our faces will be painted green.”

D

Dining  - Fill those stomachs, kids, as Sevens weekend ain’t easy on your stomach. Check out our listings for greasy fry-up goodness.

E

Executive Boxes - Ah yes, the holy grail of the Sevens experience for those who value their aircon. The buffet’s well stocked, the drinks flow freely and the skimpily dressed “brand ambassadors” will laugh at your lame jokes and pose for pictures with you all day long. The only catch? You’ve got to be a high-flying corporate type—or at least be good friends with one—if you want to score a pass.

F

Finding Love - Meeting your partner at the Sevens happens much more than you might think. Here’s one tale of finding true love over the wild weekend.

“I actually think that meeting your partner—not some random 7s fling—at the Rugby Sevens is a bit mortifying, unoriginal and, well, kind of cheesy. But I happened to meet my boyfriend of three years, X, there in 2008 when he was there with his father, visiting from overseas, and a group of friends. I was working as a member of the press corps (sorry can’t say where!) and in between assignments I took a break to sit in the North Stand with some friends who were also friends with him. We were introduced and we got talking. The first thing he said to me? “You have something in your eye.” This was not love at first sight. I was not in costume when we met, but I do remember wearing a short, gray dress because I hate it when trousers touch dirty floors and he was wearing a black shirt and aviators and had good hair. X came to find me on Saturday night (I didn’t really think twice about him) at a bar. Thank god I remembered his name. On Sunday night we went out for Japanese food in Causeway Bay after the Sevens finished and the rest is history. We’ve been dating three years, but sadly haven’t managed to get back to the Sevens.”

G

Girls - Spot the differences between these photos. There are five in total!