https://www.scmp.com/rss/316022/feed The top rugby sevens competition for teams in the region, the 2014 Asian Sevens Series was organised by the Asian Rugby Football Union, now known as Asia Rugby. It comprised three legs – Hong Kong in August, Malaysia in September and China in October and was won by Hong Kong. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com It is a pity we didn’t push for the Asian Sevens Series to decide the sole place given to the region at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Instead, we might have played into Japanese hands by agreeing to have a one-off qualifying tournament which will unearth Asia’s choice when rugby sevens makes its debut at the Games. Our track record shows the Hong Kong team are not at their best in one-off events. Even though we will be hosting the men’s Asian Olympic qualifiers in November, I’m not convinced home... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1723193/home-advantage-may-not-be-enough-one-rio-qualifier?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1723193/home-advantage-may-not-be-enough-one-rio-qualifier?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Feb 2015 08:45:00 +0000 Girls and boys, you’d better brush up your YMCA dance routine as the drums are beating that the Village People will appear at the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens in March. The American disco band of the ’70s and ’80s, who portrayed cultural stereotypes and targeted disco’s gay audience, are set to be the act at Hong Kong Stadium, following in the footsteps of Queen tribute band, Queen Extravaganza (2014), and the Beach Boys (2013), who made brief appearances on Sevens Sunday. Now it’s the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1622821/inspiration-twist-our-boys-navy-tops?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1622821/inspiration-twist-our-boys-navy-tops?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Oct 2014 03:45:45 +0000 China Sevens men’s Cup final – Hong Kong 36-19 South Korea China Sevens men’s Cup semi-final – Sri Lanka 0-28 Hong Kong China Sevens women’s third-place play-off – Hong Kong 14-12 Kazakhstan https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/play-week/article/1621243/videos-hong-kong-china-7s?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/play-week/article/1621243/videos-hong-kong-china-7s?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Oct 2014 06:21:10 +0000 Please click on the link for the Hong Kong men’s sevens team results and final Asian Sevens Series standings. Beijing was smog-ridden but Hong Kong couldn't care less as they breathed in the sweet scent of victory after being crowned Asian sevens champions for the second time on Sunday. Hong Kong defeated South Korea 36-19 in the Cup final to win the third leg of the ARFU Asian Sevens Series in Beijing to add to earlier victories in Hong Kong and Malaysia. It has been a fantastic performance in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1620062/best-asia-stylish-hong-kong-seal-sevens-series-title?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1620062/best-asia-stylish-hong-kong-seal-sevens-series-title?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 19 Oct 2014 15:00:30 +0000 Please click on the link for the Hong Kong men’s sevens team results and final Asian Sevens Series standings. Hong Kong moved a step closer to being crowned Asian champions, finishing unbeaten on the opening day of the final leg of the Asian Sevens Series in Beijing. The Jamie Hood-led team will meet Thailand in the Cup quarter-finals after topping their pool defeating Taiwan 38-7 and Singapore 33-0. "Two wins is what we set our sights on as it is important to create a bit of momentum in this... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1619577/unbeaten-hong-kong-edge-closer-asian-sevens-title?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1619577/unbeaten-hong-kong-edge-closer-asian-sevens-title?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 18 Oct 2014 15:45:00 +0000 ARFU Asian Sevens Series – final standings Pos Team HKG MAS CHN Pts 1 Hong Kong 12 12 12 36 2 South Korea 11 10 11 32 3 Japan 10 11 10 31 4 Sri... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1619281/arfu-asian-sevens-series-results-and-standings?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1619281/arfu-asian-sevens-series-results-and-standings?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 18 Oct 2014 10:30:30 +0000 Hong Kong under-20 captain Hugo Stiles must attempt to spark a depleted Societe General Valley when they travel to The Rock on Saturday in their hunt for the Broony Quaich. Valley will be missing all their sevens stars as well as explosive new winger David Vainqueur, and head coach Jack Isaac is pinning his hopes on Stiles and the rest to stop the unbeaten run of Bloomberg Hong Kong Scottish. "There isn't that much of him, but Hugo is a sharp little player and very courageous. He has added a bit... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/1618726/hugo-stiles-must-step-depleted-valley?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/1618726/hugo-stiles-must-step-depleted-valley?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Oct 2014 15:15:30 +0000 Forwards Nick Hewson and Lee Jones return to action for Hong Kong in their quest to wrap up the Asian Sevens Series title in Beijing this weekend. The pair missed the Asian Games two weeks ago because they did not have Hong Kong SAR passports. But with the rules more relaxed for the third and final leg of the Asian Sevens Series - the IRB requires a three-year residency - the Societe Generale Valley pair will be back. "Lee and Nick bring a lot of sevens experience to the side, but they are also... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1617137/hewson-jones-bolster-hong-kongs-bid-asian-sevens-sweep?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1617137/hewson-jones-bolster-hong-kongs-bid-asian-sevens-sweep?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Oct 2014 14:45:15 +0000 Dare I say it? Home field advantage will definitely give Hong Kong a huge boost when they bid to win the direct berth for Asia at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Dare I say it? Simply because the referees are inclined to subconsciously favour the home team – and in sevens, sadly, the referee plays a big role. A key area is policing the breakdown and how a referee interprets it can make or break a team. As it did for Hong Kong during the gold medal final against Japan at the Asian Games. At least that is... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1613104/theres-no-place-home-get-hong-kong-fired-olympics-qualifier?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1613104/theres-no-place-home-get-hong-kong-fired-olympics-qualifier?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Oct 2014 13:30:45 +0000 It looked as if Gareth Baber was giving the team a dressing down after they had beaten Japan to win the Malaysia Sevens, the second leg of the Asian Sevens Series, in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday. But the head coach of the rugby sevens programme at the Hong Kong Sports Institute was merely driving home the point that winning two tournaments in a row, and all but ensuring we are crowned Asian champions, will count for nothing if Hong Kong do not go on to win the Asian Games gold medal in Incheon at the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1588493/asian-sevens-series-title-will-mean-nothing-if-hong-kong-dont-win-games?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1588493/asian-sevens-series-title-will-mean-nothing-if-hong-kong-dont-win-games?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 09 Sep 2014 02:49:19 +0000 To watch Hong Kong’s games from the 2014 Malaysia Sevens, please click here. Led superbly by "Captain Fantastic" Jamie Hood, Hong Kong won their second successive tournament in the Asian Sevens Series defeating Japan 24-7 in the Cup final in Malaysia, to all but win back the regional crown. Coach Gareth Baber, however, warned that even winning back the Asian title will be meaningless if they do not return with a gold medal from the Asian Games in Incheon this month. "The boys have done well... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1587390/now-asian-games-gold-gareth-baber-tells-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1587390/now-asian-games-gold-gareth-baber-tells-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 07 Sep 2014 14:00:15 +0000 Malaysia Sevens men’s Cup final – Hong Kong 24-7 Japan: Malaysia Sevens men’s Cup semi-final – Sri Lanka 7-10 Hong Kong: Malaysia Sevens men’s Cup quarter-final – Hong Kong 49-0 Singapore: Malaysia Sevens men’s pool A – Hong Kong 31-0 Philippines: Malaysia Sevens men’s pool A – Hong Kong 45-0 Thailand: https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/play-week/article/1586932/videos-hong-kong-malaysia-7s?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/play-week/article/1586932/videos-hong-kong-malaysia-7s?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 06 Sep 2014 18:15:30 +0000 To watch Hong Kong’s games from the 2014 Malaysia Sevens, please click here. Barring minor knocks to skipper Jamie Hood and winger Salom Yiu Kam-shing, Hong Kong emerged unscathed and on track to reach their second successive final at the Asian Sevens Series after finishing unbeaten on the opening day of the second leg in Malaysia. Both Hood and Yiu sat out the second pool game on the opening day against the Philippines as Hong Kong keep them fresh for the knockout stages with a beefed up... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1586840/hong-kong-collision-course-japan-second-leg-asian-sevens-series?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1586840/hong-kong-collision-course-japan-second-leg-asian-sevens-series?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 06 Sep 2014 16:30:00 +0000 Japan have rung the changes for the second leg of the Asian Sevens Series in Kuala Lumpur, bringing in six new players in a bid to hang on to their regional crown as well as step up preparations for the Asian Games where they will be defending their gold medal. The biggest change sees sevens skipper for the last two seasons, Katsuyuki Sakai, returning to the team who suffered a shock semi-final defeat at the hands of South Korea, 28-21, in the first leg of the series in Hong Kong a fortnight... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1586181/japan-ring-changes-fight-asian-sevens-series-crown?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1586181/japan-ring-changes-fight-asian-sevens-series-crown?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 05 Sep 2014 15:00:45 +0000 Hong Kong leave on Thursday for the second leg of the Asian Sevens Series in Kuala Lumpur, intent on winning back the regional crown as well as putting in place the final pieces of a selection puzzle before the all-important Asian Games in Incheon later this month. "If we win in Malaysia this weekend, we will be crowned Asian champions but we also have one eye on the Asian Games. It is also about finalising our squad for Incheon," said head coach Gareth Baber. Former captain Mark Wright and... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1584609/hong-kong-seek-regional-crown-tilt-games-glory?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1584609/hong-kong-seek-regional-crown-tilt-games-glory?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 03 Sep 2014 14:15:00 +0000 Winning a gold medal at the Incheon Asian Games is crucial if rugby is to fully break into the local community, says Hong Kong Rugby Football Union chairman Pieter Schats. "It is essential we win a gold medal at the Asian Games, for nothing attracts attention like success," said Schats, who has also targeted more Chinese players representing Hong Kong and playing in the Premiership. "And winning a gold medal is bound to make the local community sit up and take notice of us." It hasn’t... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1583941/asian-games-gold-crucial-expansion-rugby-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1583941/asian-games-gold-crucial-expansion-rugby-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 02 Sep 2014 14:45:00 +0000 Let’s get ready to rumble, or as was the case last weekend, play rugby. Robbie McRobbie should perhaps consider giving up his job at the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union and become a full-time boxing ring announcer as he set the tone for Hong Kong’s first Asian Sevens Series tournament. And from the red corner, both Hong Kong teams came out punching with the men landing a knockout blow to win the first leg of the series, while the women were equally ferocious making their first Cup final. The... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1581133/asian-games-warning-shot-heard-loud-and-clear-rivals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1581133/asian-games-warning-shot-heard-loud-and-clear-rivals?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 27 Aug 2014 06:45:15 +0000 To watch the finals and other Hong Kong games from the tournament, please click here. The results at the opening leg of the Asian Sevens Series in Hong Kong this weekend will provide a huge confidence boost for the men's and women's teams ahead of the Asian Games next month – if Sunday's performances are repeated in Incheon, the players will return home with gold (men) and silver (women) medals. Hong Kong hammered surprise finalists South Korea 40-0 in the men's final to win the first of the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1580383/games-boost-hong-kong-win-first-leg-asian-sevens-series?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1580383/games-boost-hong-kong-win-first-leg-asian-sevens-series?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 24 Aug 2014 12:45:00 +0000 Tom McQueen matched his long-haired rock-star looks with some rock-star moves on the field, scoring four tries to help Hong Kong move smoothly into the Cup competition in the first leg of the Asian Sevens Series at Hong Kong Football Club on Saturday. We came out to win two games and accomplished that. I’m happy with that as well as [the performance of] a couple of younger players Gareth Baber "Cut it" someone shouted from the stands after he scored a hat-trick against Kazakhstan in the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1580248/hong-kong-kick-asian-series-stylish-wins?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1580248/hong-kong-kick-asian-series-stylish-wins?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 23 Aug 2014 16:30:15 +0000 Asian Sevens men’s Cup final – South Korea 0-40 Hong Kong: Asian Sevens women’s Cup final – Hong Kong 7-38 China: Asian Sevens men’s Cup quarter-final – Hong Kong 38-0 Singapore: Asian Sevens men’s pool D – Hong Kong 24-0 Philippines: Asian Sevens men’s pool D – Hong Kong 38-5 Kazakhstan: Asian Sevens women’s pool X – China 31-12 Hong Kong: Asian Sevens women’s pool X – Hong Kong 12-12 Thailand: Asian Sevens women’s pool X – Hong Kong 22-0 Sri Lanka: https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/play-week/article/1579877/videos-asian-sevens-highlights?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/play-week/article/1579877/videos-asian-sevens-highlights?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 23 Aug 2014 03:15:00 +0000 Youngsters Michael Coverdale and Jack Capon will bid to seal a permanent place in the senior squad as Hong Kong launch the 2014 Asian Sevens Series on Saturday with an eye on finishing in the top two in the region for a third successive year. While Hong Kong Sports Institute head coach Gareth Baber will be using this weekend's first leg of the Asian Sevens Series at Hong Kong Football Club as a testing ground to decide his final selection for the all-important Asian Games in Incheon next month,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1579459/new-boys-thrown-deep-end-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1579459/new-boys-thrown-deep-end-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 22 Aug 2014 15:00:15 +0000 Nearly a year since rugby became an elite sport and over 40 players took up residency at the Hong Kong Sports Institute as professional athletes, comes the first real test of the programme’s merits this weekend. Hong Kong men’s and women’s teams will take part in the first leg of the Asian Sevens Series at Hong Kong Football Club, with coach Gareth Baber handing series debuts to youngsters Jack Capon, 21, and Michael Coverdale, 19. Jack and Michael have come through Hong Kong’s development... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1578695/emerging-sevens-players-face-acid-test-asian-series-opener?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1578695/emerging-sevens-players-face-acid-test-asian-series-opener?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 21 Aug 2014 14:45:30 +0000 Hong Kong’s men’s and women’s sevens teams are gearing up for a busy and challenging few months with the three-leg ARFU Asian Sevens Series opening next weekend and the Asian Games looming large on the schedule. On the surface Hong Kong’s participation in this year’s Asian series brings the usual expectations, but there is much more riding on them producing a successful campaign to reclaim the Asian sevens crown they ceded to Japan in 2013. The ante has been upped this year as the series will be... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1574829/pressure-mounts-packed-asian-sevens-season-looms?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1574829/pressure-mounts-packed-asian-sevens-season-looms?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 16 Aug 2014 04:30:30 +0000 Sevens rugby fans are in for a scintillating summer showdown next weekend as the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union hosts a leg of the Asian Rugby Football Union’s Asian Sevens Series for the first time. The RS Components Hong Kong Asian Sevens will be held at the Hong Kong Football Club on August 23 and 24 – and admission is free for all. Renowned for hosting the world’s premier sevens tournament each March, the HKRFU is expected to bring its inimitable flair to the hosting of the Asian Sevens with... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1574159/asian-sevens-showcase-lights-summer-rugby-calendar?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1574159/asian-sevens-showcase-lights-summer-rugby-calendar?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 15 Aug 2014 04:15:30 +0000 The start of a new rugby season in Hong Kong also means the start of another ARFU Asian Sevens Series. With the first leg of this year’s three-tournament circuit being held in Hong Kong – and with the added objective of preparing for the Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea at the end of September – this year’s series is hugely important for both our men’s and women’s teams. With this in mind, the men have been training hard in Hong Kong and also away from home in a training camp with the Canada... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1573680/sevens-squads-step-out-long-road-rio?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1573680/sevens-squads-step-out-long-road-rio?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 14 Aug 2014 12:30:45 +0000 It will be back to the business of qualifying for the 15-a-side World Cup for rugby sevens stars Nick Hewson and company after Hong Kong returned from a 10-day Canadian training camp described by sevens head coach Gareth Baber as the "perfect springboard" for a bid to win gold at the Asian Games. Hong Kong 15s skipper Hewson, who is also a key cog of the sevens squad at the Hong Kong Sports Institute, and others such as Rowan Varty, Jamie Hood, Salom Yiu Kam-shing and Alex and Tom McQueen will... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1555440/world-cup-back-radar-after-canada-trip?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1555440/world-cup-back-radar-after-canada-trip?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 16 Jul 2014 15:15:00 +0000 Hong Kong will hone their challenge for a rugby sevens gold medal at the Asian Games by travelling to Canada for a 10-day training camp which will include matches against the IRB World Series-hardened Canadians. The squad, which comprises several players who also feature in the XVs line-up - including skipper and flanker Nick Hewson, fullback Alex McQueen and wingers Rowan Varty and Tom McQueen - will be at Shawnigan Lake from July 3-13 and will train with the Canadian sevens team. "The purpose... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1535748/hong-kongs-preparation-asian-games-challenge-starts-canada?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1535748/hong-kongs-preparation-asian-games-challenge-starts-canada?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Jun 2014 14:45:15 +0000 HSBC has pulled its title sponsorship from Asia's pre-eminent rugby competitions – the Asian Five Nations and Asian Sevens Series – forcing the Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU) to downsize the top-flight A5N division from next year.   ARFU president Trevor Gregory admits that HSBC's withdrawal is a "blow", but he insists the regional governing body is financially strong enough to continue to support the game in Asia. "Of course HSBC pulling out is a blow, but we will be eternally grateful to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1497965/hsbc-pulls-sponsorship-asian-five-nations-and-asian-sevens-series?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1497965/hsbc-pulls-sponsorship-asian-five-nations-and-asian-sevens-series?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 26 Apr 2014 17:00:15 +0000 While everyone settles back into their normal routine following the seasonal festivities, for us athletes the New Year has come with a new coach – with new ideas and a new focus, and a more professional environment. With three tournaments in the build up to the Hong Kong Sevens, the year ahead is of even more importance as our home tournament doubles as the HSBC Sevens World Series qualifier – both a personal and team goal. With preparation for the Darwin Sevens in mind, the first two weeks of... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1412606/all-eyes-world-series-prize-players-get-back-work?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1412606/all-eyes-world-series-prize-players-get-back-work?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Jan 2014 09:45:15 +0000