https://www.scmp.com/rss/272168/feed The HSBC SVNS Series is the rebranded HSBC Sevens World Series and consists of three divisions, with teams battling it out to reach the HSBC SVNS World Championship, three tournaments that begin with the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com SCMP Sport SCMP Sport South Africa’s rugby sevens men’s team won an HSBC SVNS series tournament for the second time this season when they beat overall leaders Fiji 21-19 in Perth on Sunday. The Blitzboks, who also won their home Cape Town leg in December, last won in Australia more than a decade ago, but they made up for lost time with an exciting and hard-fought victory that cut the Fijians’ lead in the series to just four points. Fiji now have 70 points after four of the six legs, while the South Africans are on... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/international-rugby/article/3342843/hsbc-svsn-perth-new-zealand-women-win-again-south-africas-blitzboks-halt-fijian-momentum?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/international-rugby/article/3342843/hsbc-svsn-perth-new-zealand-women-win-again-south-africas-blitzboks-halt-fijian-momentum?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 08 Feb 2026 12:57:14 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Fiji edged out France 21-12 in a thrilling men’s final, while New Zealand downed old foes Australia to secure a third successive women’s crown at the HSBC SVNS Singapore on Sunday. The French fought hard throughout, but it was Fijian flair that won the day as they capped a brilliant weekend in style. France charged into a 12-0 interval lead with tries from Jordan Sepho and Paulin Riva. But Fiji, blessed with so many attacking options, steadied themselves and roared back to take the title. Viwa... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/3342010/hsbc-svns-singapore-fiji-men-rampant-black-ferns-claim-titles?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/3342010/hsbc-svns-singapore-fiji-men-rampant-black-ferns-claim-titles?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 01 Feb 2026 14:00:17 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Defending champions Fiji, one of three joint leaders in the HSBC SVNS men’s series, have set their stall at the Singapore leg of the competition on Saturday by winning all three of their matches on the first day at the National Stadium. New Zealand and South Africa, the other joint leaders going into this third stop of the series, lost a pool match each but have both still qualified for today’s semi-finals. South Africa lost their only match in the last game of the day when they lost to Fiji... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/3341961/hsbc-svns-singapore-fiji-men-set-defend-title-australian-kiwi-women-set-meet-again?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/3341961/hsbc-svns-singapore-fiji-men-set-defend-title-australian-kiwi-women-set-meet-again?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 31 Jan 2026 14:00:12 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Hong Kong have suffered more rugby sevens heartbreak, surrendering a late lead to lose 24-19 to Canada in sudden-death extra time of their crunch HSBC SVNS 3 semi-final on Sunday. Head coach Jevon Groves’ side were 19-14 in front with 60 seconds remaining in Dubai, only for an Adam Doane try to draw Canada level. Thomas Isherwood missed the conversion, but gained almost immediate redemption when he crossed for the winning score two minutes into the additional period. As a result of World Rugby’s... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3340325/hong-kongs-sevens-heartbreak-world-rugby-meddling-plunges-beaten-city-team-void?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3340325/hong-kongs-sevens-heartbreak-world-rugby-meddling-plunges-beaten-city-team-void?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 18 Jan 2026 10:29:19 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball Hong Kong’s men will begin their bid to join the rugby sevens elite with pool games against Samoa, Tonga and Colombia at the HSBC SVNS 3 in Dubai next month. The National Games gold medallists must win two of those encounters to make the semi-finals in an eight-team tournament that has Belgium, Canada, Italy and Madagascar in Pool B. Only the finalists will progress to the next stage, HSBC SVNS 2, which will be held in Kenya, Uruguay and Brazil over three weekends in February and March. Over... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3337012/hong-kong-men-begin-quest-join-7s-elite-against-samoa-tonga-colombia-hsbc-svns-3?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3337012/hong-kong-men-begin-quest-join-7s-elite-against-samoa-tonga-colombia-hsbc-svns-3?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 19 Dec 2025 09:30:08 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport This year’s Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens pumped almost US$100 million into the city’s economy, according to a report from leading global analytics firm Nielsen. Held at Kai Tak Stadium for the first time, the three-day event in March had a total attendance of 110,907, the report said, with Saturday drawing the largest number of fans to the 50,000-seat venue. While local supporters made up the lion’s share of that figure, almost 24 per cent were visitors, with officials estimating that 10,000 had... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3336220/hong-kong-sevens-injected-almost-us100-million-local-economy-kai-tak-debut?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3336220/hong-kong-sevens-injected-almost-us100-million-local-economy-kai-tak-debut?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 12 Dec 2025 09:30:08 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press New Zealand won the men’s and women’s finals at the season-opening HSBC SVNS Series tournament in Dubai, beating Australia in both finals on Sunday. The men’s team weathered an Australian fightback to win 26-22, while the women’s team had a much easier time, winning 29-14. This is not the first time New Zealand have won the double; they achieved the feat in Singapore in 2024. New Zealand, the most successful men’s team in world series history, finished seventh last season, did not reach any... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/3334729/new-zealand-claim-double-over-australia-hsbc-svns-series-opener-dubai?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/3334729/new-zealand-claim-double-over-australia-hsbc-svns-series-opener-dubai?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 01 Dec 2025 05:21:14 +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 Josh Ball Josh Ball World Rugby has said the changes to its sevens competition were designed to secure the sport’s financial future and grow its global reach ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Confirming it was slashing the number of teams in the World Series from 12 to eight, and installing a six-team second division, the sport’s governing body also said regular tournaments would be cut from three days to just two. There was no word, however, on the format for the new World Championship Series, which will be... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/international-rugby/article/3308766/sevens-financial-future-stake-changes-necessary-olympics-world-rugby?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/international-rugby/article/3308766/sevens-financial-future-stake-changes-necessary-olympics-world-rugby?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 02 May 2025 02:42:46 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball World Rugby plans to slash the number of teams in the elite global sevens series to just eight, all but ending Hong Kong’s slim hopes of ever joining the top tier of the game. In a radical overhaul of the sport, rugby bosses were on Thursday understood to have created a second division of six teams to play in three tournaments, starting in the 2025-26 season and reportedly staying in place until the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The switch would come just two years after officials cut the number of... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3308708/rugby-sevens-circuit-set-revamp-usa-player-hits-out-not-good-game?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3308708/rugby-sevens-circuit-set-revamp-usa-player-hits-out-not-good-game?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 01 May 2025 10:01:17 +0000 Portugal’s men and South Africa’s women reigned supreme at the HSBC Challenger Series in Krakow this weekend. The men’s winners overcame pre-series leaders Germany in the semi-finals to set up a final meeting with Samoa on Saturday. With half-time looming, the two finalists were level at 7-7 before Manuel Vareiro’s up-and-under-kick edged Portugal ahead as they eventually claimed a thrilling 24-19 victory “It’s been amazing for us as a young group coming to this tournament with big teams,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/3306318/portugal-win-hong-kong-less-krakow-sevens-south-africa-womens-champions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/3306318/portugal-win-hong-kong-less-krakow-sevens-south-africa-womens-champions?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 13 Apr 2025 02:59:35 +0000 Enoch Yiu Enoch Yiu HSBC, the largest bank in Hong Kong with 6.2 million customers, will invest heavily in wealth management and technology in the city, using it as a base to tap the fast-growing markets in Asia, according to group CEO Georges Elhedery. “Hong Kong is on track to be the largest cross-border wealth hub on the planet before the end of this decade, and we are in a bold position to be able to capture this growth opportunity,” Elhedery said in a media briefing on Thursday. “I am very optimistic about... https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3304299/hsbc-bets-big-hong-kong-tap-asias-wealth-management-boom-ceo-elhedery-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3304299/hsbc-bets-big-hong-kong-tap-asias-wealth-management-boom-ceo-elhedery-says?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 31 Mar 2025 00:30:11 +0000 The Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens is over for another year, and what a weekend it was – an incredible coming-out party for the tournament’s new home and a thrilling three days of rugby. Argentina’s men won for the first time, and New Zealand’s women for the third in a row, and Hong Kong’s teams put together a double delight for the home crowd. So, after 74 matches, countless tries, world-class entertainment and a couple of hiccups, here are five things we learned this weekend. Kai Tak... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3304506/hong-kong-sevens-5-things-we-learned-another-incredible-weekend-rugby?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3304506/hong-kong-sevens-5-things-we-learned-another-incredible-weekend-rugby?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 31 Mar 2025 00:00:43 +0000 New Zealand’s women were crowned champions of the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens for a third year in a row on Sunday after beating arch-rivals Australia 26-19 in the final. The Olympic champions’ first two victories were at the Hong Kong Stadium and they followed that up with the first title at the city’s new Kai Tak Stadium. But New Zealand were made to work for their “three-peat”, as they went behind for the first time all weekend and played the final two minutes of the first half a player... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3304479/hong-kong-sevens-new-zealand-women-complete-three-peat-win-over-australia-final?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3304479/hong-kong-sevens-new-zealand-women-complete-three-peat-win-over-australia-final?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 30 Mar 2025 13:00:08 +0000 Hong Kong coaches have identified what their teams need to do in the months to come before the city hosts the National Games in November. The city’s men’s team retained the Melrose Claymores trophy with an emphatic 38-5 win over China, while their women’s counterparts blew Kazakhstan away in a 45-5 win, playing most of the final with a numerical advantage. Hong Kong Sevens debutant Sabay Lynam was again the star with another two tries, making her the team’s top scorer with five from three... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3304475/hong-kong-coaches-lay-out-years-plans-after-teams-clinch-melrose-claymores-double?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3304475/hong-kong-coaches-lay-out-years-plans-after-teams-clinch-melrose-claymores-double?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 30 Mar 2025 12:30:17 +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 China women’s dramatic sudden-death victory over Great Britain on Saturday saw them avoid the possibility of finishing as the tournament’s worst team at the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens. A 24-10 defeat by the United States in their final Pool C fixture earlier in the day had left them in danger of a last-place finish. But they battled to outlast Britain and record their first win of the weekend, which means they will finish as high as ninth should they beat Spain on Sunday. China led the match... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3304417/chinas-dramatic-win-v-gb-sees-them-avoid-worst-team-tag-hong-kong-sevens?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3304417/chinas-dramatic-win-v-gb-sees-them-avoid-worst-team-tag-hong-kong-sevens?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 29 Mar 2025 09:43:32 +0000 The 2025 Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens continues on Saturday March 29 at the new Kai Tak Stadium. As fans adjust to the tournament’s move across the harbour to Kowloon, the Post takes you through all you need to know. Hong Kong Sevens tickets As of Friday evening, three-day passes remained available from the event’s official ticketing platform for HK$1,950 (US$250) per adult or HK$950 per child (ages 3-12) plus fees. All corporate hospitality suites and corporate boxes have been sold. How to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3304362/hong-kong-sevens-2025-guide-day-2-tickets-schedule-how-get-there-saturday?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3304362/hong-kong-sevens-2025-guide-day-2-tickets-schedule-how-get-there-saturday?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 28 Mar 2025 23:30:08 +0000 The captain of France’s 2024 Olympic champion heroes, Paulin Riva, has targeted Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens glory to complete a glittering treble of titles. Inspired by Antoine Dupont, France won last year’s HSBC SVNS Series championship, before striking gold in the Paris Games. Minus Dupont, the French were narrowly beaten by New Zealand in the Hong Kong final 12 months ago. Since their seismic summer, Benoit Baby has replaced Jerome Daret as head coach, while Dupont and Aaron Grandidier, who... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3303996/hong-kong-sevens-france-eye-first-title-and-why-australia-are-banking-chinese-proverb?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3303996/hong-kong-sevens-france-eye-first-title-and-why-australia-are-banking-chinese-proverb?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 26 Mar 2025 11:00:21 +0000 Sarah Hirini has backed her Black Ferns Sevens side to come out on top against Australia, as the pair prepare to battle it out once again in Hong Kong this weekend. The two teams have history in the city, with New Zealand beating their arch-rivals in the final of the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens in 2023, and then again in last year’s semi-final on their way to winning for a second successive year. But Black Ferns skipper Hirini, who has won two Olympic gold medals, said there was pressure on... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3303678/hong-kong-sevens-black-ferns-skipper-says-side-will-beat-aussies-any-day-week?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3303678/hong-kong-sevens-black-ferns-skipper-says-side-will-beat-aussies-any-day-week?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 24 Mar 2025 23:30:09 +0000 Jevon Groves said Hong Kong’s disastrous start to their HSBC SVNS qualification campaign may have been the “reality check” his side required, as they attempt to join the elite of the sport. Needing to get off to a strong start in Cape Town over the weekend, the men’s team instead managed to lose 21-19 to Madagascar and then fell 21-12 to eventual finalists Canada, leaving them bottom of their group. Things improved slightly, with a comfortable 29-0 over Georgia and a nervy 21-19 victory over... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3300792/rugby-sevens-challenger-series-hong-kongs-terrible-start-reality-check-says-coach?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3300792/rugby-sevens-challenger-series-hong-kongs-terrible-start-reality-check-says-coach?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 03 Mar 2025 05:30:08 +0000 The Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens is to add a fan village to the festivities when it makes its move to the new Kai Tak Stadium next month. Activities, live musical performances and the chance to meet rugby legends will await fans during the tournament from March 28 to 30, in addition to the first chance to experience the action at the city’s newly completed 50,000-seat arena. The event will feature music from the Kaiser Chiefs, DJ Pete Tong, GALA and more inside the stadium, but ticket-holders... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3300407/hong-kong-sevens-adds-new-fan-village-it-prepares-kai-tak-debut?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3300407/hong-kong-sevens-adds-new-fan-village-it-prepares-kai-tak-debut?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 27 Feb 2025 10:18:52 +0000 Argentina held off South Africa to win the men’s title and New Zealand beat Fiji to claim the women’s crown in Vancouver on Sunday, the fourth leg of rugby’s World Sevens Series. Luciano Gonzalez scored two first-half tries and Tobias Wade crossed immediately after the break as Argentina opened a 19-0 lead over South Africa in the men’s final. South Africa rallied with tries to Quewin Nortje and Siviwe Soyizwape before Gonzalez claimed a late turnover which helped Argentina seal a 19-12 win. It... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/international-rugby/article/3299849/argentina-still-sevens-kings-vancouver-while-all-blacks-women-reign-supreme?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/international-rugby/article/3299849/argentina-still-sevens-kings-vancouver-while-all-blacks-women-reign-supreme?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 24 Feb 2025 03:01:28 +0000 If the world -class rugby action isn’t quite enough, fans coming to the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens at Kai Tak Stadium also have some exciting music to look forward to. English indie rockers Kaiser Chiefs will be one of the headline acts at the new venue, while DJ Pete Tong will transform the venue into the world’s biggest disco with his Ibiza Anthems set. One of the highlights of the global rugby calendar, the Sevens makes its debut at Kai Tak this year after 41 years at Hong Kong... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3297284/kaiser-chiefs-dj-pete-tong-rubberband-rock-new-house-hong-kong-sevens-kai-tak?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3297284/kaiser-chiefs-dj-pete-tong-rubberband-rock-new-house-hong-kong-sevens-kai-tak?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 04 Feb 2025 08:00:08 +0000 Next year’s Hong Kong Sevens will be held on the weekend of March 28 to 30, World Rugby has announced. The tournament was one of five stops for the 2024-25 season that the global governing body confirmed on Thursday, with Dubai kicking things off in just 10 weeks’ time, followed by stops in South Africa, Australia and Canada. Other events in what is normally an eight-stop season are expected to be unveiled in the coming weeks. Officials are hoping to hold the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens at the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3274606/hong-kong-sevens-dates-announced-officials-hope-kai-tak-stadium-will-be-ready-host-event?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3274606/hong-kong-sevens-dates-announced-officials-hope-kai-tak-stadium-will-be-ready-host-event?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Aug 2024 09:00:12 +0000 France booked their place in Thursday’s Olympic rugby sevens knockout phase, but struggled to live up to their pre-tournament favourites tag while powerhouse Fiji showed they will take some beating. Les Bleus came into the sevens competition on a high, boosted by the presence of Antoine Dupont, viewed by many as the world’s greatest player in the 15-a-side code. But a shock 12-12 draw against the United States in their first Pool C encounter on Wednesday was followed by a nail-biting 19-12 win... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/3271772/paris-olympics-france-flatter-deceive-fiji-show-sevens-gold-potential-once-more?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/3271772/paris-olympics-france-flatter-deceive-fiji-show-sevens-gold-potential-once-more?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 24 Jul 2024 23:14:56 +0000 Osea Kolinisau led Fiji to their first-ever Olympic gold medal when rugby sevens made its debut at the Summer Games in 2016 and now, as a coach, he is turning to old teammate Jerry Tuwai to help the Pacific nation’s bid for a three-peat. Kolinisau, the inspirational Fiji captain at Rio de Janeiro eight years ago, was drafted in to coach the men’s national sevens squad earlier this year when they were struggling in the world series. He has only recently recalled 35-year-old Tuwai – the two-time... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/3269130/paris-olympics-jerry-tuwai-back-fiji-fold-olympic-champs-target-rugby-sevens-3-peat?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/3269130/paris-olympics-jerry-tuwai-back-fiji-fold-olympic-champs-target-rugby-sevens-3-peat?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 04 Jul 2024 05:07:11 +0000 China’s women stormed onto the global rugby sevens circuit following a comprehensive dismantling of Belgium at the HSBC SVNS Series grand finals in Madrid. The Chinese won tight encounters with hosts Spain and rivals Japan before thumping Poland for a perfect pool campaign. Their group clean sweep set up a playoff with Belgium for a spot in next year’s elite series. First-half tries from Ma Xiaodan and Yang Feifei, both converted by Chen Keyi, put China in charge. Hu Yu crossed twice after... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/international-rugby/article/3265132/china-women-earn-place-among-rugby-sevens-elite-superstar-dupont-inspires-france-success-ahead-home?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/international-rugby/article/3265132/china-women-earn-place-among-rugby-sevens-elite-superstar-dupont-inspires-france-success-ahead-home?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 03 Jun 2024 04:48:09 +0000 Antoine Dupont will switch back to sevens rugby next weekend, Toulouse coach Ugo Mola said, after the scrum half’s man-of-the-match performance in guiding his club to Champions Cup victory on Saturday. Dupont, France’s regular 15-a-side captain, wants to win gold with his country in the Paris Olympics. He made his sevens debut for the France in Vancouver in February, part of the World Rugby Sevens Series that concludes next weekend with the finals in Madrid. “Antoine is leaving for Madrid on... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/international-rugby/article/3264137/antoine-dupont-eyes-hsbc-svns-glory-madrid-after-guiding-toulouse-champions-cup-triumph-over?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/international-rugby/article/3264137/antoine-dupont-eyes-hsbc-svns-glory-madrid-after-guiding-toulouse-champions-cup-triumph-over?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 May 2024 07:00:08 +0000 New Zealand celebrated twin success for the second straight tournament while Argentina did enough to claim the men’s HSBC SVNS Series title, on an exhilarating closing day of the Singapore Sevens. Both Kiwi teams reigned supreme at last month’s Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, repeating their dominance from 2023. And New Zealand on Sunday turned Singapore black, too, to lay down a marker ahead of the Paris Olympics in July. The women inflicted a second-half blitz on Australia to win a rip-roaring... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3261496/singapore-sevens-double-joy-kiwis-who-lay-down-olympic-marker-argentina-win-first-world-series-title?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3261496/singapore-sevens-double-joy-kiwis-who-lay-down-olympic-marker-argentina-win-first-world-series-title?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 May 2024 13:08:23 +0000 Alicia Lucas, the 2016 Olympic rugby gold medallist, said Australia’s women were “out-and-out firing”, after their destructive form booked a Singapore Sevens semi-final meeting with France on Sunday. The green-and-gold routed Fiji 60-0 in their closing group fixture on Saturday before a 24-14 quarter-final win over Ireland that belied a one-sided game. Singapore is poised for a dream final as it hosts a women’s competition alongside its men’s event for the first time. New Zealand breezed through... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/3261445/singapore-sevens-australia-firing-stay-track-decider-new-zealand-phenomenal-womens-event?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/3261445/singapore-sevens-australia-firing-stay-track-decider-new-zealand-phenomenal-womens-event?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 May 2024 13:43:46 +0000 Great Britain men’s hopes of avoiding a shoot-out to preserve their elite HSBC SVNS Series status were severely dented on a topsy-turvy opening day of the Singapore Sevens. The Britons were beaten 19-5 by Ireland in their opening Pool C fixture, but retain hope of progressing to the quarter-finals after stunning Olympic champions Fiji 19-14 in their second match. They were done no favours by results elsewhere in the pool, however. USA, the only team within reach of ninth-placed GB in the overall... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3261402/singapore-sevens-great-britain-world-series-status-jeopardy-following-mixed-opening-day-michael?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3261402/singapore-sevens-great-britain-world-series-status-jeopardy-following-mixed-opening-day-michael?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 May 2024 14:14:12 +0000 Brian O’Driscoll said Ireland’s thriving men’s sevens team have banished their “impostor syndrome”, and are ready to claim a landmark first HBSC SVNS Series tournament victory. The Irish’s latest opportunity to break their duck, five years after beating Hong Kong in a straight shoot-out for core world series status, comes at the Singapore Sevens, which begins on Friday. Added incentive for the final event of the regular season is supplied by Ireland’s position on the shoulders of Argentina at... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3261203/singapore-sevens-resurgent-ireland-banishing-impostor-syndrome-legend-odriscoll-bullish?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3261203/singapore-sevens-resurgent-ireland-banishing-impostor-syndrome-legend-odriscoll-bullish?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 May 2024 09:30:21 +0000 New Zealand’s women go into next weekend’s sevens World Series stop in Singapore on top of the standings, and veteran Tyla King warned the team had still not reached its full potential. Victory in Hong Kong earlier this month was the Black Ferns’ third in a row, after wins in Vancouver and Los Angeles, and put them just ahead of Australia on points difference. There was a bump in the road in the form of a 26-21 loss at the hands of France in the pool stages, and King said that had tempered the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/international-rugby/article/3260504/veteran-tyla-kings-ominous-warning-singapore-sevens-opponents-new-zealand-have-yet-reach-their-full?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/international-rugby/article/3260504/veteran-tyla-kings-ominous-warning-singapore-sevens-opponents-new-zealand-have-yet-reach-their-full?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 27 Apr 2024 00:00:15 +0000 Hong Kong’s men have been drawn alongside Spain, Papua New Guinea and Brazil for the pool stages of the final sevens Olympic qualifying tournament in June. Unlikely to reach the Games in Paris this summer after missing out on the regional qualifying spot to Japan, Jevon Groves’ side have at least avoided South Africa, Canada and Great Britain in the opening rounds. The city’s women have a slightly easier task ahead of them, having been grouped with Uganda, Paraguay and Jamaica for the World... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/international-rugby/article/3259799/paris-olympics-hong-kongs-men-face-spain-last-chance-sevens-qualifier-while-uganda-among-womens-pool?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/international-rugby/article/3259799/paris-olympics-hong-kongs-men-face-spain-last-chance-sevens-qualifier-while-uganda-among-womens-pool?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 21 Apr 2024 09:00:23 +0000 The grey cloud that shrouded the Great Britain women’s team earlier at the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens developed a silver lining on Sunday, as they pulled further away from relegation with a 14-5 victory over Brazil in the ninth-placed playoff. Going into the weekend, Great Britain were ranked eighth in the HSBC SVNS standings with 29 points, and Brazil were just one point behind in the first relegation spot. Great Britain’s win in the playoff game boosted their overall series standings by four... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3258136/hong-kong-sevens-great-britain-women-beat-brazil-widen-gap-world-snvs-series-relegation-zone-another?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3258136/hong-kong-sevens-great-britain-women-beat-brazil-widen-gap-world-snvs-series-relegation-zone-another?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 07 Apr 2024 10:27:56 +0000 Andy Vilk has revealed that his first few months managing the Hong Kong women’s sevens team was a “whirlwind” and a “steep learning curve” – and there are more storms and climbing ahead in the next three months. First up is the Melrose Claymore competition at the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens this weekend. Then it is on to Krakow, Poland, for the third leg of the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger on May 18 and 19. And finally, from June 21 to 23, Hong Kong will vie for a place at the Paris... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3257684/hong-kong-sevens-2024-melrose-claymores-tournament-start-another-tough-few-months-says-womens-coach?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3257684/hong-kong-sevens-2024-melrose-claymores-tournament-start-another-tough-few-months-says-womens-coach?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 03 Apr 2024 10:30:16 +0000 Experience alongside a sprinkling of debutants is the formula for both the women’s and men’s teams selected for next week’s Melrose Claymores competitions at the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens. For the women’s team, captain Natasha Olson-Thorne will be making her 50th appearance during the tournament, while the squad also includes Micayla Baltazar and her sister Chloe, alongside mainstays Nam Ka-man, Jessica Ho Wai-on and Chong Ka-yan. Etta Kwong Tin-tung is one player who could make her debut for... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3256815/hong-kong-sevens-mens-and-womens-teams-opt-experience-plus-some-newcomers-next-weeks-melrose?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3256815/hong-kong-sevens-mens-and-womens-teams-opt-experience-plus-some-newcomers-next-weeks-melrose?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 Mar 2024 11:48:27 +0000 France beat injury-hit Great Britain 21-0 to capture the Los Angeles Sevens title, completing a stellar introduction to rugby’s shortened version for Antoine Dupont. The crown capped a triumphant first few weeks in the format for former World Rugby Player of the Year Dupont, France’s 15-a-side captain and scrum-half. Dupont switched to sevens in a bid to compete for Paris Olympic gold later this year. He debuted last weekend in Vancouver, helping France to finish third, and has now been part of... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/international-rugby/article/3254084/dupont-caps-stunning-sevens-debut-jaunt-leading-france-their-first-world-series-title-19-years-los?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/international-rugby/article/3254084/dupont-caps-stunning-sevens-debut-jaunt-leading-france-their-first-world-series-title-19-years-los?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 04 Mar 2024 07:52:58 +0000 Antoine Dupont is set to begin a detour into rugby sevens that the world’s outstanding scrum-half hopes will lead him to this year’s Olympics – and it could see him play in Hong Kong along the way. Dupont has been named in the France squad for this weekend’s Vancouver SVNS tournament as he switches from 15-a-side rugby to target success at the Games on home turf in Paris. He has skipped this season’s Six Nations championship, leaving his teammates toiling in his absence. After his expected debut... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3252894/hong-kong-sevens-2024-could-france-superstar-antoine-dupont-add-x-factor-city-april?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3252894/hong-kong-sevens-2024-could-france-superstar-antoine-dupont-add-x-factor-city-april?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 22 Feb 2024 23:30:12 +0000 China’s women got their sevens season off to a flyer on Sunday, winning the first leg of this year’s Challenger Series, while Hong Kong’s men and women struggled in Dubai. The dominant force over the three days of the women’s competition, China secured gold with a 19-5 win over Kenya in the final, gaining a full measure of revenge for their 17-12 loss to the same opposition in Friday’s pool match. China had earlier cruised into the final thanks to a 45-5 thrashing of Uganda in the last four,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/international-rugby/article/3248421/chinas-women-claim-world-rugby-sevens-challenger-series-title-hong-kong-teams-struggle-through-tough?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/international-rugby/article/3248421/chinas-women-claim-world-rugby-sevens-challenger-series-title-hong-kong-teams-struggle-through-tough?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 15 Jan 2024 02:30:19 +0000 The Hong Kong Sevens will return in April as part of World Rugby’s re-branded vision of the sport, which it hopes will “supercharge the game’s global reach”. Remaining in its traditional spot on the first weekend of April, next year’s tournament will be the sixth stop on the new HSBC SVNS circuit, which starts in Dubai in December. A revamped competition will see 12 men’s and 12 women’s teams compete in seven cities, with stops in Cape Town, Perth, Vancouver and Los Angeles between the UAE and... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3228097/hong-kong-sevens-return-part-revamped-circuit-rugby-bosses-target-younger-audience-partying-mind?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3228097/hong-kong-sevens-return-part-revamped-circuit-rugby-bosses-target-younger-audience-partying-mind?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 18 Jul 2023 08:51:26 +0000 With the world series won, New Zealand’s men showed no sign of letting up while powering into the London Sevens quarterfinals at Twickenham on Saturday. The Kiwis clinched the series last weekend in Toulouse while winning a third straight leg, with their women’s side making it a double. New Zealand’s men extended their winning streak to 23 matches in brushing aside the United States 35-17, hosts Great Britain 20-5 and South Africa 32-21 before a sun-warmed crowd of 50,000 in London. Samoa were... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3221289/london-sevens-new-zealand-and-samoa-unbeaten-heading-quarterfinals-twickenham?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3221289/london-sevens-new-zealand-and-samoa-unbeaten-heading-quarterfinals-twickenham?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 21 May 2023 03:13:29 +0000 The HSBC France Sevens came to a dramatic close on Sunday evening in Toulouse with New Zealand women and men securing double gold, while the All Blacks Sevens joined the Black Ferns as 2023 Series champions. It is the third time the teams in black have achieved such a tournament double this season, having claimed dual gold in Sydney in January and Hong Kong in March. For the Black Ferns Sevens, it marked the sixth consecutive cup title to finish the 2023 Series in style, while for the All Blacks... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/international-rugby/article/3220553/hsbc-france-series-double-delight-new-zealand-toulouse-while-irish-women-make-olympic-history?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/international-rugby/article/3220553/hsbc-france-series-double-delight-new-zealand-toulouse-while-irish-women-make-olympic-history?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 15 May 2023 03:06:02 +0000 Hong Kong’s men and women rebounded from the disappointment of missing out on HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series spots in the quarterfinals of the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series in Stellenbosch by claiming wins in their placement matches on Sunday. The men had lost to eventual Series champions Tonga, 33-12, in their quarter-final on Saturday, while the women were ousted at the same stage against Belgium, who went on to reach their second straight cup final in South Africa. After a series of... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3218927/world-rugby-sevens-challenger-series-hong-kongs-men-and-women-bounce-back-bow-out-pride?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3218927/world-rugby-sevens-challenger-series-hong-kongs-men-and-women-bounce-back-bow-out-pride?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 30 Apr 2023 12:01:23 +0000 Hong Kong’s men and women suffered disappointing quarter-final exits at the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series in Stellenbosch, South Africa on Saturday. Having topped pool C earlier in the day, the city’s men went down 33-12 to Tonga in the last eight, in a rematch of last week’s quarter-final, where they lost 33-0, and now face a placement match on Sunday. Kyren Taumoefolau scored a hat-trick for Tonga, with John Tapueluelu and Semisi Maasi getting in on the act, while Ariel Pakalani added... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3218876/hong-kongs-men-and-women-crash-out-world-rugby-sevens-challenger-series?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3218876/hong-kongs-men-and-women-crash-out-world-rugby-sevens-challenger-series?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 29 Apr 2023 14:40:45 +0000 Hong Kong’s men went undefeated at the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series in South Africa on Friday, as Russell Webb’s 19 points extended his all-time leading scorer record in the competition to 125. There were contrasting fortunes for the city’s women, however, after they drew with Poland and lost to China. This weekend’s tournament will decide which women’s side is promoted to the World Rugby Sevens Series next season, while the winners on the men’s side will enter a final four team... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3218811/world-rugby-sevens-challenger-series-russell-webb-extends-scoring-record-hong-kongs-men-women-lose?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3218811/world-rugby-sevens-challenger-series-russell-webb-extends-scoring-record-hong-kongs-men-women-lose?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 28 Apr 2023 14:00:35 +0000 Hong Kong men’s coach Jevon Groves has opted to drop captain Max Woodward for this weekend’s second leg of the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series. Despite Hong Kong needing to win to have any chance of qualifying for the next stage of the process to reach the World Series, Groves has made two changes to the squad that finished third in Stellenbosch five days ago. As well as Woodward, winger Salom Yiu Kam-shing is rested, with Callum McCullough and Harry Sayers replacing the pair. Russell Webb... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3218588/world-rugby-sevens-challenger-series-hong-kong-teams-prepare-final-tilt-elite-status?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3218588/world-rugby-sevens-challenger-series-hong-kong-teams-prepare-final-tilt-elite-status?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 27 Apr 2023 09:36:22 +0000 Hong Kong’s men have left themselves an uphill task to qualify for the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series after finishing third at the challenger event in South Africa on Saturday. Jevon Groves’s side were hammered 33-0 by eventual winners Tonga in the semi-final at the Markotter Stadium in Stellenbosch, but recovered to beat Belgium in extra time in the third-place play-off. With a second tournament next weekend, Hong Kong could still win the Challenger Series and qualify for a four-team tournament... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3218003/hsbc-world-rugby-sevens-challenger-series-bronze-hong-kongs-men-keeps-core-series-hopes-alive-women?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3218003/hsbc-world-rugby-sevens-challenger-series-bronze-hong-kongs-men-keeps-core-series-hopes-alive-women?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 22 Apr 2023 13:40:15 +0000