https://www.scmp.com/rss/24055/feed en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Alice Wu Alice Wu Last week, a friend and I chatted about our children’s favourite art pieces after happening upon an auction house’s exhibition in a building in the heart of Hong Kong’s business district. We both recalled stopping to look at Yayoi Kusama’s Mount Fuji prints. “I pass by the space twice every day,” my friend said. She told me that my son’s pick – a piece by Sam Francis – was a new installation, replacing what had been a display of handbags. How often do we pause to notice art, or enjoy life in... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3348095/hong-kong-can-draw-art-marchs-success-keeping-it-authentic?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3348095/hong-kong-can-draw-art-marchs-success-keeping-it-authentic?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 30 Mar 2026 00:30:11 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball With the HSBC SVNS Series undergoing another change in format and some unions cutting their rugby sevens programmes entirely, the sport has been facing an uncertain future. Tom Burwell, a former executive director of the Emirates Dubai 7s with 20 years’ involvement in the sport, is the driving force behind a new professional sevens tournament based on seven franchises playing over the summer that will launch in 2026. With early seasons expected to be based in Europe before going global, Burwell,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/3320542/could-franchise-model-be-way-forward-rugby-7s-new-club-based-event-hopes-find-out?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/3320542/could-franchise-model-be-way-forward-rugby-7s-new-club-based-event-hopes-find-out?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 03 Aug 2025 00:00:20 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport The World Rugby Sevens Series has received a blow with news that the Irish union has decided to discontinue its men’s programme at the end of this season. The decision followed a review after last year’s Olympics, and was “part of a broader strategic effort to ensure long-term financial sustainability and focus on key initiatives”, the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) said. It came after the release last November of its financial results, which showed an €18 million (US$20.2 million) deficit... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/3310498/rugby-sevens-given-reality-check-ireland-disbands-its-mens-team?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/3310498/rugby-sevens-given-reality-check-ireland-disbands-its-mens-team?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 May 2025 09:53:30 +0000 Australia star Maddison Levi has hailed the contribution that the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens has helped to make in giving women opportunities to play high-profile matches in front of thousands of spectators. Levi became Australia’s highest career try-scorer on Friday at the age of just 22 when she crossed four times against Canada, following a hat-trick against Spain, to take her total to 189. She added two more on Saturday. Having surpassed the previous record of 186 held by her idol,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3304406/australian-record-breaker-maddison-levi-thanks-hong-kong-sevens-giving-women-stage?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3304406/australian-record-breaker-maddison-levi-thanks-hong-kong-sevens-giving-women-stage?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 30 Mar 2025 00:30:13 +0000 The party is back on in full swing for rugby fans ahead of this weekend’s sell-out Hong Kong Sevens with spectators descending on the city from around the world, although bar operators have said business is still far from pre-Covid levels. Pubs and bars in Wan Chai were brimming on Thursday with decreasingly sober patrons as the night went on. A number of them were set to attend the first day of the Sevens tournament at the 40,000-seat Hong Kong Stadium in Causeway Bay on Friday. Among those... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3257886/hong-kong-sevens-2024-party-starts-rugby-fans-arrive-around-world?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3257886/hong-kong-sevens-2024-party-starts-rugby-fans-arrive-around-world?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 05 Apr 2024 00:30:15 +0000 Australia and Fiji were crowned women’s and men’s world champions respectively after claiming exhilarating victories at Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 in Cape Town, South Africa. The all-conquering Australian women added Rugby World Cup Sevens glory to their recent Commonwealth Games and World Series victories to secure a hat-trick of major titles and cap an unstoppable 2022 with a 24-22 win. The women’s final came to a nail-biting conclusion as a hat-trick of tries from Maddison Levi and one from... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/international-rugby/article/3192163/rugby-world-cup-sevens-2022-results-fiji-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/international-rugby/article/3192163/rugby-world-cup-sevens-2022-results-fiji-and?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 11 Sep 2022 23:10:02 +0000 New Zealand will meet Fiji in a seismic Sunday night showdown for the Melrose Cup at the 2022 Rugby World Cup Sevens in Cape Town. Ngarohi McGarvey-Black scored a slick hat-trick as defending champions New Zealand ended Ireland’s fairy-tale run with a battling 17-10 win. Two-time champions Fiji then ran in six tries in a 38-14 thrashing of Australia to set up a clash between the two most successful teams in the tournament’s history. Stepping up when his team needs him Ngarohi McGarvey-Black... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/3192134/rugby-world-cup-sevens-2022-results-new-zealand-end-irelands-fairy-tale?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/3192134/rugby-world-cup-sevens-2022-results-new-zealand-end-irelands-fairy-tale?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 11 Sep 2022 11:08:02 +0000 The Hong Kong men’s and women’s sevens squads are looking for silverware this weekend after coming close to it on their long-awaited comeback – and they will do so as top seeds in their pools. They play in the second round of the UK Super Sevens Series at London Irish on Saturday intent on going a step further than they did in round one a fortnight ago, when both the men and the women reached cup finals. Series organisers have since reseeded the competitions, with Hong Kong’s teams now seeded... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3179287/uk-super-sevens-series-hong-kong-top-seeds-they?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3179287/uk-super-sevens-series-hong-kong-top-seeds-they?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 May 2022 09:51:05 +0000 Hong Kong Sevens captain Max Woodward is in no doubt about what is at stake when his team hit the road for a six-week European training camp next week. There’s the UK Super Sevens Series, the HSBC Rugby World Series qualifiers, the Rugby World Cup Sevens in South Africa and an Asian Games gold medal to defend – and that’s before we get to the long-awaited return of the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens in November. But if mental preparation is half the battle, his squad are looking... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3176503/hong-kong-sevens-return-gets-home-team-firing-they-prepare?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3176503/hong-kong-sevens-return-gets-home-team-firing-they-prepare?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 May 2022 10:29:49 +0000 It’s tied 14-14 with seconds to go. The Hong Kong men’s rugby sevens team are on their own try-line against World Rugby Sevens Series core team Ireland. Liam Herbert, who starred throughout the double-header Vancouver and Edmonton Sevens tournaments, wriggles away from a couple of Irish tackles, then offloads the ball to teammate Max Denmark, who palms off Jordan Conroy – Ireland’s record try-scorer – before sending it back to Herbert to score the unlikeliest of overtime winners. “We would... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3153883/how-hong-kong-rugby-sevens-star-liam-herbert-went-age-grade?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3153883/how-hong-kong-rugby-sevens-star-liam-herbert-went-age-grade?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 27 Oct 2021 10:02:12 +0000 Hong Kong men’s rugby sevens star Liam Herbert said the government giving the team a quarantine exemption after they returned from playing in Canada was vital for their chances of earning a spot in next year’s World Cup. Head coach Paul John’s side were granted a rare compulsory quarantine exemption after a truncated World Rugby Sevens Series campaign last month, which included two impressive seventh-placed finishes at the Vancouver and Edmonton Sevens. Players, coaches and back room staff... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3152284/government-quarantine-exemption-hong-kong-rugby-sevens-team?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3152284/government-quarantine-exemption-hong-kong-rugby-sevens-team?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 14 Oct 2021 02:35:30 +0000 Magical Fiji defended their Olympic gold medal after overpowering New Zealand 27-12 in the men’s rugby sevens final at the Tokyo Stadium on Wednesday. Gareth Baber’s side maintained their 100 per cent win record at the Games – continuing former coach Ben Ryan’s Rio 2016 campaign – to capture the country’s second-ever gold medal. Captained by legend Jerry Tuwai, they remain the only team to have done the “Sevens Treble” (Olympics, World Rugby Sevens Series and Rugby World Cup Sevens winners). The... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/international-rugby/article/3142887/tokyo-olympics-fiji-win-second-consecutive-rugby?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/international-rugby/article/3142887/tokyo-olympics-fiji-win-second-consecutive-rugby?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 28 Jul 2021 10:49:47 +0000 The 2021 Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens will be postponed from April until November, the Post understands. An official announcement will be made by governing body World Rugby on Thursday. Originally slated for April 3-5, the decision comes as no surprise given Hong Kong is struggling to contain cluster outbreaks and untraceable infections in trying to combat its fourth wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. The writing was on the wall after the government had earlier this month cancelled its... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3114277/hong-kong-sevens-postponed-second-straight-year-city-battles-fourth?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3114277/hong-kong-sevens-postponed-second-straight-year-city-battles-fourth?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 17 Dec 2020 04:00:12 +0000 The Saxo Markets Hong Kong Men’s Premiership 2020-21 season will make its long-awaited start on Saturday, November 7, after a tumultuous year which saw last season cut short due to Covid-19. All six teams spent the summer training in limited numbers before adhering to the Hong Kong Rugby Union’s (HKRU) four-week “return to play” preseason programme leading up to the weekend. Respective team captains had a final chance to size others up at the Premiership’s official launch at Hong Kong Football... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3108697/hong-kong-mens-premiership-preview-coaches-and-captains-shoot-stars?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3108697/hong-kong-mens-premiership-preview-coaches-and-captains-shoot-stars?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Nov 2020 02:24:17 +0000 Black Ferns sevens star Tyla Nathan-Wong is relieved to get another crack at the postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games after confidently backing the team to win gold had it gone ahead this summer. The two-time World Cup winner and Olympic silver medallist is back to familiar sevens territory after a fifteens debut with Northland amid New Zealand’s strict national lockdown earlier this year. Covid-19 has impacted much of the sports world – most notably postponing Tokyo 2020 for one year – leaving... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/3107560/black-ferns-sevens-star-tyla-nathan-wong-doubles-down-2020?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/3107560/black-ferns-sevens-star-tyla-nathan-wong-doubles-down-2020?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 31 Oct 2020 00:00:14 +0000 At just 26, New Zealand rugby sevens player Tyla Nathan-Wong finds herself entering record books and breaking boundaries. The two-time Rugby World Cup Sevens winner, Commonwealth Games gold medallist and Olympic Games silver medallist this year became the first Black Ferns sevens player to reach 1,000 points – only the second woman in Sevens Series history. She was also nominated as the overall 2019 women’s player of the year after a season cut short by Covid-19. Such milestones did not come... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/3107267/how-new-zealand-rugby-star-tyla-nathan-wongs-chinese?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/3107267/how-new-zealand-rugby-star-tyla-nathan-wongs-chinese?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 27 Oct 2020 09:37:48 +0000 The Hong Kong Rugby Union has suffered a “significant” financial setback of more than HK$150 million after a year ridden with Covid-19-related postponements and cancellations, it revealed at its annual general meeting on Thursday. The organisation announced an operating loss of HK$151.7 million in the financial year ending April 30, 2020, a stark difference to its loss of HK$6.6 million in 2019. The overwhelming contributor to the unprecedented numbers was the postponement of the marquee Hong... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3095368/hong-kong-sevens-cancellation-leads-hk151-million-loss-hkru-says-it?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3095368/hong-kong-sevens-cancellation-leads-hk151-million-loss-hkru-says-it?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 30 Jul 2020 12:00:21 +0000 India, Jamaica, Malaysia and Qatar are among a record 11 countries expressing interest in staging the 2022 Rugby World Cup Sevens – but two-time hosts Hong Kong have decided against bidding for the event. World Rugby hailed the unprecedented level of interest in the tournament, saying it was a strong endorsement of the sevens format – especially in emerging rugby markets. For Hong Kong, though, being part of the HSBC World Sevens Series means the local union are unable to host two major... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3009111/rugby-world-cup-sevens-2022-india-malaysia-and-qatar-show?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3009111/rugby-world-cup-sevens-2022-india-malaysia-and-qatar-show?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 May 2019 01:22:54 +0000 While he scratches his head in disbelief about a season that got away, Fiji coach Gareth Baber can rest easy knowing he’s got the support of arguably the country’s most influential man, and even the once-baying Fijian media. Although Baber’s side fell short in the Commonwealth Games, the HSBC Sevens World Series and the Rugby World Cup Sevens, “King of Sevens” Waisale Serevi has no doubt the former Hong Kong boss is the man to lead the team forward. “Personally, he is a good guy. He has his own... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2158177/waisale-serevi-backs-fiji-sevens-coach-gareth-baber-and-welshman-can?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/2158177/waisale-serevi-backs-fiji-sevens-coach-gareth-baber-and-welshman-can?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Aug 2018 00:00:00 +0000 Samoa player Gordon Langkilde faces a court hearing in San Francisco after being arrested and charged with assault by police, with Wales’ Tom Williams suffering broken bones in a post-match tunnel altercation at the Rugby World Cup Sevens. The off-field incident at AT&T Stadium in San Francisco took place after Samoa’s loss to Wales on July 22, as the teams headed from the pitch to the locker room area. Langkilde was taken into custody without incident at his San Francisco hotel on Sunday, the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/2156833/rugby-world-cup-sevens-2018-samoas-gordon-langkilde-charged?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/2156833/rugby-world-cup-sevens-2018-samoas-gordon-langkilde-charged?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Jul 2018 09:59:52 +0000 The Black Ferns retained their women’s Rugby World Cup Sevens title in San Francisco, beating France 29-0 in the final to claim their second title. Michaela Blyde ran in a hat-trick of tries as New Zealand dismissed the French, who had earlier stunned Olympic champions Australia to reach the final at AT&T Stadium. “I’m bloody proud of the effort from the sisters and can’t wait to go and celebrate with them,” New Zealand captain Sarah Goss said. “It doesn’t get any better than that,” Goss said of... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/2156326/rugby-world-cup-sevens-2018-new-zealand-win-womens-title-black?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/2156326/rugby-world-cup-sevens-2018-new-zealand-win-womens-title-black?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Jul 2018 04:45:45 +0000 It was another pulsating day of Rugby World Cup Sevens action at AT&T Park, with Fiji mowing down Argentina on their way to the semi-finals in San Francisco. New Zealand also claimed the women’s title, with the All Blacks side awaiting Fiji in the last four in the men’s draw on Monday morning (Hong Kong time). “We are not underestimating any right now,” said Fiji’s Leone Nakarawa after they ran in seven tries in a 43-7 win over Argentina. South Africa will play England in the other men’s... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/2156319/rugby-world-cup-sevens-2018-watch-highlights-results-fiji-vs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/2156319/rugby-world-cup-sevens-2018-watch-highlights-results-fiji-vs?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Jul 2018 03:56:11 +0000 Hong Kong have Bowl glory in their sights at the Rugby World Cup Sevens after a four-try blitz fired them to a 24-10 win over Jamaica in San Francisco on Sunday morning. For the second day in a row Paul John’s side were slow to get going but this time they found their groove with plenty of time to spare, outmuscling the Jamaicans to set up a Bowl semi-final meeting with Uruguay on Monday morning (Hong Kong time). After admitting Russia’s core status weighed on Hong Kong’s “psyche” in a 21-7... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/2156309/rugby-world-cup-sevens-2018-hong-kong-show-attitude-dominant?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/2156309/rugby-world-cup-sevens-2018-hong-kong-show-attitude-dominant?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 21 Jul 2018 21:45:24 +0000 Day one of the 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens is in the bag, with most of the heavy hitters making it safely through in San Francisco. At AT&T Stadium, home of Major League Baseball’s Giants, but Fiji, the US and the All Blacks powered into the quarter-finals on the men’s side. Saturday (US time) is all set for some cracking action, and the South China Morning Post will have you covered with reports and all the reaction you need. But if you just fancy a catch-up from a frantic opening day, then we... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/2156287/rugby-world-cup-sevens-2018-watch-highlights-results-all?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/2156287/rugby-world-cup-sevens-2018-watch-highlights-results-all?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 21 Jul 2018 09:15:45 +0000 Kai Tak stadium will not be ready before 2018, and that’s a crying shame. Otherwise Hong Kong would have been able to put on the Hong Kong Sevens and host the Rugby World Cup Sevens later that same year. The first would have been held in March as always, while the latter could have been played in June or July. What about the summer heat or the threat of typhoons? I hear the questions being raised immediately. Well, as Trevor Gregory said, if the new 50,000-seater venue is as state-of-the-art as... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1442655/slow-going-old-kai-tak-keeps-world-cup-dream-grounded?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1442655/slow-going-old-kai-tak-keeps-world-cup-dream-grounded?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 07 Mar 2014 08:44:51 +0000 Hong Kong has bid to host the 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens in a move described as an "insurance policy" by leading official Trevor Gregory. The Hong Kong Rugby Football Union had previously stated it would not bid for the 2018 edition as it could not host two major sevens tournaments - the Hong Kong Sevens and the World Cup - in one year at the Hong Kong Stadium. "But we have now put our hand up because we are not sure if the International Rugby Board will include Hong Kong as part of the World... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/1441301/hosting-world-cup-sevens-2018-insurance-policy-says-gregory?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/1441301/hosting-world-cup-sevens-2018-insurance-policy-says-gregory?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 05 Mar 2014 15:15:30 +0000 Rowan Varty is determined to return with a souvenir from his first trip to Russia - in the form of a trophy for Hong Kong. "Coming to Moscow is something I don't think I would ever have done if not for the World Cup Sevens. But having said that, this is a very nice place and everything has been great. It will be even greater if we can return home with some sort of silverware," said Varty. This is the third World Cup for the Hong Kong captain, the other two being Hong Kong 2005 and Dubai 2009.... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1269641/rowan-varty-out-grab-silverware-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1269641/rowan-varty-out-grab-silverware-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 26 Jun 2013 16:00:00 +0000 Jamie Hood returns to a Hong Kong team which will face the pressure of finishing as the top Asian side at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Moscow, their final challenge in a long and gruelling season - but the break will be shortlived. The World Cup Sevens from June 28-30 at the Luzhniki Stadium in downtown Moscow will bring the curtain down on an eventful season. But relief for the tired bodies - the 12 players who have formed the core of the side this season - will be short, with the World Games... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1262347/hardworking-hong-kong-face-more-new-challenges?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1262347/hardworking-hong-kong-face-more-new-challenges?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 16 Jun 2013 16:00:00 +0000 Hong Kong has ruled itself out of bidding to host the 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens, saying it would present "a difficult challenge" to host two international tournaments that year - the Hong Kong Sevens being the other - in the city. The International Rugby Board yesterday confirmed the World Cup Sevens would continue to be held every four years and would be played in between Olympic Games cycles with the next one in 2018. But the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union said it had no plans to bid for the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1260170/hong-kong-rules-out-bid-host-world-cup-sevens-2018?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1260170/hong-kong-rules-out-bid-host-world-cup-sevens-2018?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 13 Jun 2013 16:00:00 +0000 There is room for both the Olympics and the World Cup Sevens, with Singapore emerging as a possible venue for the next edition in 2018, top IRB official Brett Gosper said yesterday. "We are looking at continuing with the World Cup Sevens. This is our belief. Moscow this summer is unlikely to be the last for there is a growing belief sevens can have both a World Cup and the Olympics like many other sports," said Gosper, the International Rugby Board chief executive and managing director of Rugby... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1198969/world-cup-and-olympics-can-exist-together-says-irb?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1198969/world-cup-and-olympics-can-exist-together-says-irb?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 24 Mar 2013 16:00:00 +0000 Hong Kong were brought down to earth - soon after a cosmonaut up in the heavens had read a message for the VIP audience before yesterday's Rugby World Cup Sevens draw in Moscow - as they were pooled with England, Argentina and Portugal in what looks to be a tough group in the preliminary round of the June showpiece. "We always knew we would face two top core teams in our pool and England and Argentina fall into that category. Our target is to finish as the top Asian team at the World Cup and... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1163693/hong-kong-handed-tough-draw-world-cup-sevens?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1163693/hong-kong-handed-tough-draw-world-cup-sevens?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 28 Feb 2013 16:00:00 +0000 The International Rugby Board will look at keeping the World Cup Sevens and playing it between Olympic cycles following the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro when sevens makes its debut as a medal sport. The IRB had previously maintained that the Moscow World Cup would be the last one now that sevens has been included in the Olympics. But chairman Bernard Lapasset, who was in Singapore last weekend for the Asian qualifiers for the 2013 World Cup Sevens, told the South China Morning Post that their... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1078884/sevens-world-cup-may-continue-after-it-becomes-olympic-sport?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1078884/sevens-world-cup-may-continue-after-it-becomes-olympic-sport?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 09 Nov 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Top International Rugby Board official Bernard Lapasset expressed dismay at China's failure to qualify for the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Moscow and promised to support the mainland as they look ahead to the 2016 Olympics, when sevens will be a medal sport for the first time. "It is disappointing that China's men's team failed to qualify. That is the bad news. The good news is that at least we will see the Chinese women's team in Moscow," the IRB chairman said. The China women's team qualified... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1075100/chinas-failure-qualify-worry?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1075100/chinas-failure-qualify-worry?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 04 Nov 2012 16:00:00 +0000 To Russia with love - that's where Hong Kong are heading after they qualified for next year's Rugby World Cup Sevens by finishing in the top three in the fourth and final leg of the HSBC Asian Sevens Series. The main mission was accomplished, but still Hong Kong can be forgiven for feeling let down yesterday at the Singapore Sevens after arch-rivals Japan pipped them 14-12 in a nail-biting Cup final, sending a reminder that despite losing their Asian crown, the Japanese are still a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1074974/hong-kong-reach-rugby-world-cup-sevens-despite-singapore-final?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1074974/hong-kong-reach-rugby-world-cup-sevens-despite-singapore-final?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 03 Nov 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Hong Kong are one win away from booking their passage to Moscow for next year's Rugby World Cup Sevens after the Rowan Varty-led side swept aside all opponents to march into the semi-finals of the HSBC Asian Sevens Series in Singapore yesterday. "We are in a position where we want to be. It has been a very good day and now we want to finish it off," said Varty. "I have been to two World Cup Sevens already, the last one in Dubai and when Hong Kong hosted it previously. It will be nice to make it... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1074756/hong-kong-cusp-reaching-2013-world-cup-russia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1074756/hong-kong-cusp-reaching-2013-world-cup-russia?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 02 Nov 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Hong Kong left last night to play in the Asian qualifying tournament for the Rugby World Cup Sevens without a key member of the squad, Jamie Hood, who has science on his mind. Flyhalf Hood will rush straight from a parent-teacher evening at South Island School tonight to join the rest of the squad in Singapore just hours before the final leg of the HSBC Asian Sevens Series kicks off. "Jamie will join us later. He teaches science and PE at his school and couldn't leave with us because of an... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1074085/jamie-hood-last-minute-dash-make-world-cup-qualifiers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1074085/jamie-hood-last-minute-dash-make-world-cup-qualifiers?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 31 Oct 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Hong Kong have named an unchanged squad from that which were crowned Asian sevens champions a fortnight ago for their final, and biggest push this season: this week's Asian qualifiers in Singapore for the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Moscow in June. Despite intense domestic-league competition over the last two Saturdays, a relieved head coach Dai Rees was able to pick the same players who had played at the last two legs of the HSBC Asian Sevens Series in Shanghai and Mumbai - both won by Hong Kong... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1073448/hong-kong-coach-dai-rees-keeps-squad-unchanged-asian-qualifiers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1073448/hong-kong-coach-dai-rees-keeps-squad-unchanged-asian-qualifiers?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 30 Oct 2012 16:00:00 +0000 In what is fast becoming a dangerous trend, Japan defeated a six-man Hong Kong in the final of the Borneo Sevens to land the first blow in the race to qualify for the in Moscow next year. Japan's 33-22 victory in the opening leg of the HSBC Asian Sevens Series in Kota Kinabalu yesterday was only sealed after Alex McQueen had been sin-binned. "It is the usual story once again against Japan with us only losing after being down to six men," said disappointed coach Dai Rees. "I'm wondering if we are... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1028420/japan-defeat-hong-kong-borneo-continue-upsetting-trend?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1028420/japan-defeat-hong-kong-borneo-continue-upsetting-trend?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 02 Sep 2012 16:00:00 +0000 It was inevitable that Keith Robertson chose to put self before country, or in this case the Special Administrative Region, and opted to pursue a career as a pilot rather than take part in a Rugby World Cup Sevens under the shadow of the Kremlin. Robertson, a popular figure during the Hong Kong Sevens, left this week for Australia to undergo a 14-16-month training course with Cathay Pacific. As a rugby player, Robertson was one of the smallest on the international scene but he made up for his... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1022774/career-comes-first-robertson?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1022774/career-comes-first-robertson?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 Aug 2012 16:00:00 +0000 The long-term future of rugby in Hong Kong will be in the hands of a dozen youngsters this weekend at the Under-20 Asian Sevens Championship in Malaysia. Hong Kong take part in the 10-team tournament in Johor Bahru knowing a top-three finish will guarantee rugby becoming the first team sport to gain elite status at the Hong Kong Sports Institute. 'These guys are carrying a big responsibility. Talk about pressure, this is huge,' said Hong Kong Rugby Football Union chairman Trevor Gregory. 'But... https://www.scmp.com/article/1004643/chance-hk-youngsters-determine-fate-game?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1004643/chance-hk-youngsters-determine-fate-game?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 21 Jun 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Guangzhou is set to host a leg of the IRB Women's Sevens Series next year after the world governing body said China's third largest city would become the mainland's rugby hub. Rugby in China received a significant boost with the International Rugby Board signing a memorandum of understanding with Guangzhou and the Chinese Rugby Football Association. 'Guangzhou is set to become a centre of excellence and a genuine hub for the sport in China,' said Mark Egan, IRB head of development and... https://www.scmp.com/article/1000896/guangzhou-set-host-leg-irb-womens-sevens?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1000896/guangzhou-set-host-leg-irb-womens-sevens?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 12 May 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Olympian Jiang Huajun's recovery from a slow start was a key factor in revitalising Hong Kong's medal hopes and helping the women's table tennis team finish top of their group to reach the quarter-finals at the world championships in Dortmund, Germany. Jiang, who has qualified for the 2012 London Games along with Tie Yana, struggled in the opening stages, losing matches to players from Czech Republic, Austria and Russia, but the 27-year-old right hander regained her touch as the tournament... https://www.scmp.com/article/997002/jiang-finds-form-take-team-through?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/997002/jiang-finds-form-take-team-through?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Mar 2012 16:00:00 +0000 It isn't just rugby fans who have reason to cheer the Sevens: the annual sporting extravaganza is also a boon to the hospitality and tourism industries at a time of the year that is otherwise normally quiet. With thousands of free-spending rugby fans crowding bars and restaurants, the throng of visitors has been bolstered by those in town for yesterday's chief executive election. At a restaurant in Mid-levels, near the University of Hong Kong, the locals and tourists enjoying Sunday lunch were... https://www.scmp.com/article/996659/city-boosted-visitors-spending-over-rugby-weekend?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/996659/city-boosted-visitors-spending-over-rugby-weekend?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 25 Mar 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Rugby bosses hailed the Hong Kong Sevens' new format as a resounding success last night - and leading the chorus were its instigators, the International Rugby Board, and the guinea pig, the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union. For the first time in its 37-year history the famous sevens tournament was split in two - with a 12-team world series for the elite teams such as last night's Cup winners Fiji and runners-up New Zealand - and a 12-team qualifying event for the likes of Hong Kong and... https://www.scmp.com/article/996637/rugby-bosses-hail-sevens-new-format?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/996637/rugby-bosses-hail-sevens-new-format?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 25 Mar 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Hong Kong are knocking on the door of the big boys' club today. Barring the way are old rivals Japan, first-up, and then either Spain or Tonga if the first hurdle is safely overcome. With the team unbeaten after the first two days, Hong Kong are on a roll. But head coach Dai Rees is well aware that all the hard work will count for nothing if results are not produced today as they go in search of at least third place in the qualifying tournament to secure a spot as a core team in next year's... https://www.scmp.com/article/996530/terrific-run?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/996530/terrific-run?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 24 Mar 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Fiji coach Alifereti Dere has voiced concerns over the qualifying process for sevens' debut at the 2016 Rio Olympics, saying it should be judged on performance levels at the annual HSBC Sevens World Series, and not just on regional qualification. Dere has received support from New Zealand counterpart Gordon Tietjens who said the top six teams in the world series standings in 2015 should automatically qualify for the Olympics. The views of the two southern hemisphere giants don't match the... https://www.scmp.com/article/996105/fiji-fear-olympic-lockout?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/996105/fiji-fear-olympic-lockout?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 20 Mar 2012 16:00:00 +0000 The world of sevens is as clean as a whistle, with a stringent anti-doping programme revealing zero positive cases. The IRB undertook 1,714 tests, 587 in competition and 1,127 out of competition, across 15s and sevens in every continent during a year that also saw a record-sized blood-testing programme at the World Cup in New Zealand. There were only eight doping violations, less than half a per cent of the total tested, and none of them was in sevens. Trevor Gregory (pictured), chairman of... https://www.scmp.com/article/994783/sevens-world-found-totally-free-doping?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/994783/sevens-world-found-totally-free-doping?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 07 Mar 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Save any tears you might want to shed for the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens, whose organisers have cut the number of public tickets available for one of the 'world's 10 best sporting events' (as a letter writer to this newspaper called it). By what measure does Sevens qualify for this honour, in a world graced with soccer, cricket and rugby world cups, the Olympics, athletics, Open golf and tennis in Britain and the US and Australia? To name but a few. For starters, the Sevens is not even a full game.... https://www.scmp.com/article/989900/unions-sevens-cut-gives-game-away?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/989900/unions-sevens-cut-gives-game-away?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 11 Jan 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Hong Kong's standing as the 'Jewel in the Crown' of the HSBC Sevens World Series has suffered a big blow after the International Rugby Board ruled the biggest tournament in the series should fall into line with the other eight legs and offer the same number of points. Hong Kong Rugby Football Union chairman Trevor Gregory admitted it was a comedown for the showpiece tournament of the series. But he was adamant the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens next March would still retain its No1 status... https://www.scmp.com/article/986264/new-rules-rob-hk-top-status?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/986264/new-rules-rob-hk-top-status?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:00:00 +0000 It turned out to be a memorable debut for Josh Peters in Goa, India, last weekend. Called up at the last minute into the national side, the teenager not only won his spurs but also performed creditably as Hong Kong won their first tournament in the HSBC Asian Sevens Series this season to cement their position as No 2 in Asia. Peters, 18, a naturally gifted scrumhalf, was in the right place at the right time and made the most of his opportunity. With the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union deciding... https://www.scmp.com/article/986083/hk-boosted-new-strength-depth?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/986083/hk-boosted-new-strength-depth?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 26 Nov 2011 16:00:00 +0000