https://www.scmp.com/rss/323096/feed The Asia Rugby Sevens Series is an annual series of tournaments for men's and women's teams from across the region. It has been held regularly since 2009. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Andy Vilk has said his Hong Kong players would take time to absorb the hammer blow of missing HSBC SVNS 3 qualification before gathering themselves for an assault on National Games glory. On Sunday, the city women’s team lost a make-or-break Asia Rugby Sevens Series third-place play-off 10-5 against Thailand in Sri Lanka. Hong Kong finished level on points with the Thais after the two-leg series, but their opponents advanced, along with Japan and China, because of their superior head-to-head... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3329822/hong-kong-absorbing-asian-series-hammer-blow-national-games-medal-assault?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3329822/hong-kong-absorbing-asian-series-hammer-blow-national-games-medal-assault?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Oct 2025 01:00:30 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Hong Kong rugby sevens mainstay Liam Herbert has targeted the twin goals of “getting one up on China”, and earning a HSBC SVNS 3 shot over this weekend’s Asia Rugby Sevens Series leg in Sri Lanka. The city team powered to victory in last month’s first leg in Hangzhou. A repeat performance in Colombo would book their spot in the rebranded global sevens competition and lay down a marker for next month’s National Games at Kai Tak Stadium. “We went to Hangzhou to show what we could do after all the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3329209/hong-kong-aim-get-one-china-city-rugby-sevens-teams-gun-asian-joy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3329209/hong-kong-aim-get-one-china-city-rugby-sevens-teams-gun-asian-joy?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Oct 2025 09:30:09 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Head coach Jevon Groves has been given access to all his big guns as Hong Kong target a golden return to National Games rugby sevens action in November. The city’s qualification for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, coupled with a sevens restructure that cut Hong Kong further adrift from elite status, raised the possibility that some players would focus solely on the global tournament. But Groves will have first pick of Hong Kong’s talent for next month’s Asia Rugby Sevens Series leg in Sri Lanka, which... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3326749/hong-kong-roll-out-rugby-sevens-big-guns-quest-national-games-gold?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3326749/hong-kong-roll-out-rugby-sevens-big-guns-quest-national-games-gold?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 Sep 2025 04:30:07 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Hong Kong women’s rugby sevens star Nam Ka-man said her team were “super-proud” after the city’s teams took positive first steps towards the distant goal of reaching global sevens’ elite level this season. Nam and her teammates staged a late comeback in Hangzhou on Sunday to beat Thailand 19-17 in a gripping Asia Rugby Sevens Series third-place play-off. That meant they finished behind only Japan and China, both of whom had already qualified for the revised HSBC SVNS calendar. With that placing,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3326311/hong-kong-teams-take-solid-first-steps-towards-world-stage-after-vital-asian-series-wins?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3326311/hong-kong-teams-take-solid-first-steps-towards-world-stage-after-vital-asian-series-wins?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 22 Sep 2025 00:00:16 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Only nine years after she was inspired by her brother to begin playing rugby, Julia Mibuy Mba Oyana has set her sights on being a key part of Hong Kong’s Olympics quest. Her journey will resume this weekend when she returns to Hong Kong colours for the first leg of the Asia Rugby Sevens Series in Hangzhou. Hong Kong-born Mba Oyana spent the first 10 years of her life in Hangzhou’s neighbour, Shanghai. Coming back to Hong Kong, her sporting passions were handball and track running. But when her... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3325986/olympic-rugby-dream-starts-hangzhou-hong-kongs-shanghai-raised-mba-oyana?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3325986/olympic-rugby-dream-starts-hangzhou-hong-kongs-shanghai-raised-mba-oyana?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 18 Sep 2025 23:45:08 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Seb Brien has said the chance to remain best in the region is all the incentive Hong Kong need as they begin the Asia Rugby Sevens Series. It is just as well: there is further to climb to reach the global elite this time. Not that Brien lacks motivation, having battled back from a serious injury suffered last year and managed to start a business and get married during his enforced downtime. Now he is returning to action for the city’s men, who start this year’s Asian competition in Hangzhou this... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3325902/hong-kong-sevens-ace-was-sent-devastating-email-now-hes-fit-take-world?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3325902/hong-kong-sevens-ace-was-sent-devastating-email-now-hes-fit-take-world?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 17 Sep 2025 23:45:07 +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 Chinese President Xi Jinping sat down with more than 40 leaders of some of the biggest companies and business lobby groups in the world, as the country ratcheted up its charm offensive to woo foreign investment. Friday’s meeting included FedEx’s Rajesh Subramaniam, Mercedes-Benz’s Ola Kallenius, Sanofi’s Paul Hudson, HSBC’s Georges Elhedery, Hitachi’s Toshiaki Higashihara, SK Hynix’s Kwak Noh-Jung and Aramco ‘s Amin H. Nasser, according to state news agency Xinhua. Also in attendance were... https://www.scmp.com/plus/article/3304248/xi-meets-global-ceos-trump-announce-reciprocal-tariffs-and-more?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/plus/article/3304248/xi-meets-global-ceos-trump-announce-reciprocal-tariffs-and-more?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 28 Mar 2025 09:06:09 +0000 As criticisms mount on CK Hutchison’s surprise decision to sell all of its port stakes including 90 per cent of its Panama Ports to a consortium that includes US money manager BlackRock, the Hong Kong conglomerate is leaving observers guessing about the fate of the US$23 billion deal. This week brought a fresh round of denunciations, with Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning saying on Tuesday that Beijing firmly opposed “economic coercion and bullying” without elaborating if authorities were... https://www.scmp.com/plus/article/3303273/pile-hutchison-global-ceos-china-development-forum-and-more?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/plus/article/3303273/pile-hutchison-global-ceos-china-development-forum-and-more?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 21 Mar 2025 09:00:27 +0000 Places at next week’s Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens are on the line for the city’s men’s rugby players after their head coach said on Wednesday that no position in his squad was safe. Jevon Groves has challenged established names and young stars alike to step up and fight for spots in his 13-man roster to play at Kai Tak Stadium following Hong Kong’s embarrassing exit from the Challenger Series earlier this month. A tough two weeks in Cape Town brought disappointment in successive series legs and... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3303031/hong-kong-sevens-citys-men-hurting-cape-town-told-fight-spots-kai-tak?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3303031/hong-kong-sevens-citys-men-hurting-cape-town-told-fight-spots-kai-tak?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 19 Mar 2025 11:52:00 +0000 Captain James Christie paid tribute to a “huge team effort” after Hong Kong completed an all-conquering Asia Rugby Sevens Series campaign with a rousing success in Bangkok. Hong Kong overpowered China 26-5 in a one-sided semi-final on Sunday, before beating Japan 26-15 in the final to become the first team to win all 15 matches of a series. Their success in the Thai capital was all the more satisfying given five players made debuts over the weekend, as Hong Kong juggled sevens action with their... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3285973/hong-kong-men-power-past-china-and-japan-asia-rugby-sevens-series-clean-sweep?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3285973/hong-kong-men-power-past-china-and-japan-asia-rugby-sevens-series-clean-sweep?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 10 Nov 2024 12:27:18 +0000 Hong Kong’s men completed a crushing trio of victories at the Asia Rugby Sevens Series leg in Bangkok on Saturday to move within two wins of a 2024 competition clean sweep. Head coach Jevon Groves’ side began with a 22-7 victory against Singapore, before hitting their stride to thump Malaysia 49-0, then scored 50 unanswered points against perennial rivals South Korea. In Sunday’s semi-final, they will face China for the right to meet either Japan or South Korea, who sneaked through as Pool A... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3285916/asia-rugby-sevens-series-hong-kong-teams-cruise-semis-mens-debutants-make-mark?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3285916/asia-rugby-sevens-series-hong-kong-teams-cruise-semis-mens-debutants-make-mark?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 09 Nov 2024 14:00:12 +0000 Men’s sevens head coach Jevon Groves says the substantial diet of elite rugby on offer for players in Hong Kong should make relocating to the city a “no-brainer” for those playing overseas. The door has opened to Rugby World Cup qualification for Hong Kong’s 15s team after it was confirmed next year’s Asia Rugby Championship winners would play in the 2027 global tournament. This season, meanwhile, Groves’ sevens side will pursue much-coveted qualification for the HSBC SVNS Series, where the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3285187/hong-kong-stepping-bid-attract-overseas-talent-hunting-asian-tournament-clean-sweep?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3285187/hong-kong-stepping-bid-attract-overseas-talent-hunting-asian-tournament-clean-sweep?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 05 Nov 2024 03:00:10 +0000 Hong Kong’s men staged a dramatic last-minute recovery to beat Japan 24-19 and win their second straight Asia Rugby Sevens Series leg on Sunday. Jevon Groves’ team trailed 19-17 entering the closing 60 seconds in Hangzhou, after Japan delivered a compelling response to falling 12-0 behind early in the contest. A yellow card for Josua Kerevi deep into the match left Japan one man short as they tried to protect their advantage. And Hong Kong exploited their numerical supremacy when captain James... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3279511/hong-kong-men-seal-asian-rugby-7s-leg-after-japan-scare-women-lose-semi-top-guns-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3279511/hong-kong-men-seal-asian-rugby-7s-leg-after-japan-scare-women-lose-semi-top-guns-china?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Sep 2024 11:57:19 +0000 Hong Kong’s women shrugged off the absence of a host of key campaigners to book an Asia Rugby Sevens Series semi-final meeting with all-conquering China on Sunday. The second leg of this year’s competition is being staged at Hangzhou Normal University, where almost exactly 12 months ago Andy Vilk began his head coach reign by leading Hong Kong to an Asian Games bronze medal. A clash with the forthcoming 15s WXV3 competition forced Vilk into a reshuffle this weekend, and he had urged those coming... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3279457/asia-rugby-sevens-series-hong-kong-book-crunch-china-clash-men-romp-semi-finals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3279457/asia-rugby-sevens-series-hong-kong-book-crunch-china-clash-men-romp-semi-finals?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 21 Sep 2024 12:58:57 +0000 Hong Kong’s women are “showing the ability” to close the gap on Asian sevens heavyweights China and Japan, head coach Andy Vilk has told the Post. The Englishman will take an understrength team to Hangzhou this weekend for the second leg of the Asia Rugby Sevens Series, with a host of his leading performers on 15s duty for the forthcoming WXV3 tournament in Dubai. Vilk has encouraged the replacements to take their chance “in the spotlight” when Hong Kong contest pool matches with Japan, Malaysia... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3279064/coach-vilk-tells-hong-kong-women-seize-chance-spotlight-sevens-series-hits-hangzhou?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3279064/coach-vilk-tells-hong-kong-women-seize-chance-spotlight-sevens-series-hits-hangzhou?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 Sep 2024 01:00:12 +0000 Hong Kong’s men triumphed in the first leg of the Asia Rugby Sevens Series in South Korea on Sunday, while the city’s women lost in their final. Both teams faced deciders against China in Incheon, and both matches went to form. The men showed their superiority in a 40-7 victory, after earlier beating Japan 24-12 in their semi-final. The women, too, overcame Japan in the last four, edging them 12-7, before being unable to bridge a gap in class in the final. Facing a China side who will play in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3277685/asia-rugby-sevens-series-ruthless-hong-kong-men-lift-cup-women-proud-after-final-loss?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3277685/asia-rugby-sevens-series-ruthless-hong-kong-men-lift-cup-women-proud-after-final-loss?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 08 Sep 2024 13:41:53 +0000 Hong Kong’s men delivered a trio of devastating displays to book an Asia Rugby Sevens Series semi-final against Japan on Sunday. The city’s women also reached the last four of this season’s opening leg in Incheon, South Korea, where they too will meet the Japanese after escaping their pool more narrowly. Both sides were in action for the first time since June’s Olympic repechage tournament in Monaco. Jevon Groves’ men, playing under new captain James Christie for the first time, comfortably... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3277622/asia-rugby-sevens-series-hong-kong-men-storm-semi-finals-women-make-dramatic-escape?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3277622/asia-rugby-sevens-series-hong-kong-men-storm-semi-finals-women-make-dramatic-escape?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 07 Sep 2024 13:09:40 +0000 Head coach Jevon Groves has paid tribute to outgoing captain Max Woodward for “changing the behaviour and culture” of Hong Kong’s rugby sevens team. Woodward is bowing out following a stellar career that featured two Asian Games gold-medal campaigns and a trio of painful Olympic qualification near misses. He has been replaced by James Christie, who begins his captaincy reign at this weekend’s Asia Rugby Sevens Series (ARSS) leg in South Korea. Groves’ plan to appoint Seb Brien as co-skipper was... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3277254/head-coach-groves-salutes-outgoing-captain-woodward-hong-kong-7s-culture-change?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3277254/head-coach-groves-salutes-outgoing-captain-woodward-hong-kong-7s-culture-change?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Sep 2024 04:00:24 +0000 Hong Kong have added former Team GB star Robbie Fergusson to their coaching team ahead of the start of the Asia Rugby Sevens Series this week. The 31-year-old has been working with both senior sides since arriving in the city, and is expected to help women’s head coach Andy Vilk at the first leg of the series in South Korea. Vilk’s side will take on Singapore, Malaysia and favourites China in Incheon, starting on Saturday. “Robbie brings us a wealth of knowledge and experience in playing... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3276744/hong-kong-rugby-sevens-add-ex-gb-star-robbie-fergusson-coaching-team-asia-series?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3276744/hong-kong-rugby-sevens-add-ex-gb-star-robbie-fergusson-coaching-team-asia-series?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 01 Sep 2024 05:45:59 +0000 During the darkest days of the pandemic, social distancing and quarantine-control measures spelled the demise of Hong Kong signature events for more than two years. So there was a collective sigh of relief when pandemic restrictions were eased and a financial summit and special rugby sevens tournament were staged in November 2022 to declare that the city was back. Since then, the authorities have been making up for lost time. So much so that more than a few eyebrows were raised when Chief... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/article/3263569/mega-events-also-have-be-big-quality-sake-hong-kongs-reputation?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/article/3263569/mega-events-also-have-be-big-quality-sake-hong-kongs-reputation?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 May 2024 22:15:15 +0000 Before the FWD Champions Day on April 28 at Sha Tin racecourse, The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) celebrated the city’s sporting achievements with a precursor to the main event. On April 17, the city’s beloved “Happy Wednesday” horse races were infused with live music, food and beverages, thrilling races, and an impressive guest list of Hong Kong’s finest athletes. Dubbed as the “Champions in the Valley”, the race night was a spectacular showcase that aimed to not only promote horse racing as an... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/icons-influencers/article/3263009/hkjcs-champions-valley-celebrated-hk-elite-athletes-fencer-shawn-cheung-former-cyclist-and-olympic?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/icons-influencers/article/3263009/hkjcs-champions-valley-celebrated-hk-elite-athletes-fencer-shawn-cheung-former-cyclist-and-olympic?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 May 2024 06:00:43 +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 Landmark victories over Thailand and China have infused Hong Kong’s resurgent women’s rugby sevens team with the belief they can qualify for next year’s Olympic Games. Andy Vilk’s side beat Thailand 7-5 to claim Asian Games bronze last month, then edged another nail biter when they overcame their mainland adversaries 17-14 in the semi-final of last weekend’s Asia Rugby Sevens Series leg in Bangkok. And while Japan were too strong in the final, Paul John, head of the elite sevens athlete... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3238520/no-fear-hong-kong-womens-rugby-sevens-team-ahead-olympic-qualifiers-men-boosted-talisman-yius?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3238520/no-fear-hong-kong-womens-rugby-sevens-team-ahead-olympic-qualifiers-men-boosted-talisman-yius?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Oct 2023 00:00:17 +0000 Hong Kong’s men’s team blitzed all-comers to win their Asia Rugby Sevens Series leg in Bangkok on Sunday – and banish the disappointment of a rare defeat in the competition two months ago. Fresh from retaining their Asian Games crown three weeks ago, head coach Jevon Groves’ team were ruthless in outplaying Japan to win the final 26-12, following a succession of heavy victories earlier in the tournament. Two months ago in South Korea, they had lost a leg of the series for the first time in more... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3238002/asia-rugby-sevens-series-hong-kongs-women-through-final-after-beating-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3238002/asia-rugby-sevens-series-hong-kongs-women-through-final-after-beating-china?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 15 Oct 2023 07:17:17 +0000 Hong Kong rugby sevens hero Liam Doherty has admitted he was “in denial” over his loss of focus before a pre-Asian Games dressing down from Jevon Groves. Doherty delivered a man-of-the-match display in the Hangzhou final, scoring one try and creating another, as Hong Kong downed South Korea for a second successive gold medal. Head coach Groves, whose team are preparing for this weekend’s second Asia Rugby Sevens Series leg in Bangkok, promptly revealed he had given the forward a “kick up the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3237526/hong-kong-rugby-sevens-star-doherty-regaining-his-focus-asian-games-gold-and-not-getting-stressed?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3237526/hong-kong-rugby-sevens-star-doherty-regaining-his-focus-asian-games-gold-and-not-getting-stressed?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 11 Oct 2023 06:00:17 +0000 Hong Kong’s men lost an Asia Rugby Sevens Series leg for the first time in more than three years on Sunday, but head coach Jevon Groves said his side’s performance provided a solid platform for the Asian Games. Groves’ team go into next month’s tournament in Hangzhou as defending champions, but with squads limited to passport holders only, must do so without the influential Callum McCullough, Alex McQueen, Seb Brien and Pierce MacKinlay-West. The quartet would certainly have been useful in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3232534/hong-kongs-men-lose-first-7s-series-game-2019-eye-improvement-defence-asian-games-title?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3232534/hong-kongs-men-lose-first-7s-series-game-2019-eye-improvement-defence-asian-games-title?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 28 Aug 2023 08:00:15 +0000 After 15 years playing and coaching rugby in Italy, Hong Kong’s new women’s sevens head coach Andy Vilk instinctively reaches for the country’s language to communicate a significant point. He is honest to a fault in his native tongue, however, and Vilk freely volunteers that he “probably didn’t get a complete handle on the culture”. Vilk was an England sevens captain and featured in more than 30 tournaments for his country. He won the Hong Kong Sevens in 2006, shortly after claiming silver at... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3231945/asian-games-meet-hong-kongs-new-womens-rugby-sevens-head-coach-andy-vilk-he-goes-deep-end?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3231945/asian-games-meet-hong-kongs-new-womens-rugby-sevens-head-coach-andy-vilk-he-goes-deep-end?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Aug 2023 12:47:19 +0000 Former England Sevens captain Andrew Vilk will take over as head coach of the Hong Kong women’s team, just weeks before the Asian Games. Vilk, who spent the past decade with the Italian Rugby Federation, said accepting the post was a straightforward decision, because of the “huge potential” in Hong Kong rugby. The 42-year-old replaces Iain Monaghan, who left for a position with Rugby Canada at the beginning of 2023. Vilk arrived in the city only last week and oversaw his first training session... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3231188/former-england-7s-international-andy-vilk-take-charge-hong-kong-womens-team?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3231188/former-england-7s-international-andy-vilk-take-charge-hong-kong-womens-team?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 16 Aug 2023 00:00:16 +0000 The Hong Kong Sevens, free from the city’s mask mandate and travel restrictions, were off to a slow start on Friday amid a persistent drizzle, but early bird fans still embraced the spirit of the event with colourful costumes and pints of beer. Donning a pirate outfit, 20-year-old Hugh Smith arrived at the Hong Kong Stadium in the early afternoon with his university friends. “I can already tell there’s a lot of energy in the building. I’m really excited,” said the computer science student at... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3215588/costumes-cheers-and-beer-early-bird-fans-embrace-spirit-hong-kong-sevens-despite-slow-start-event?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3215588/costumes-cheers-and-beer-early-bird-fans-embrace-spirit-hong-kong-sevens-despite-slow-start-event?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 31 Mar 2023 10:29:14 +0000 Hong Kong leader John Lee Ka-chiu has said a way must exist for a “responsible” Google to fix searches so people who sought out the national anthem would get the correct “March of the Volunteers” in the top results. Lee on Tuesday added the government would contact the tech giant again over the problem after he rejected Google’s claims there was little it could do to comply with the government’s request as results were based on algorithms used. But one technology expert told the Post that legal... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3203169/hong-kongs-john-lee-urges-google-be-responsible-and-alter-national-anthem-search-results-make-march?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3203169/hong-kongs-john-lee-urges-google-be-responsible-and-alter-national-anthem-search-results-make-march?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 13 Dec 2022 12:39:14 +0000 Hong Kong police will investigate after a protest song from the anti-government unrest in 2019 was wrongly played instead of the Chinese national anthem at an overseas powerlifting competition, the acting sports commissioner has said, while the organiser of the event has apologised for the blunder. Paul Cheng Ching-wan, from the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, on Sunday said police and the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China would carry out a probe into the incident.... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3201990/national-anthem-blunders-organiser-dubai-powerlifting-event-apologises-playing-hong-kong-protest?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3201990/national-anthem-blunders-organiser-dubai-powerlifting-event-apologises-playing-hong-kong-protest?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 04 Dec 2022 04:04:39 +0000 A protest song from the anti-government unrest in 2019 was wrongly played yet again instead of the Chinese national anthem at an overseas sporting event, this time prompting the participating Hong Kong athlete to make a “T” hand gesture to alert the organiser to the blunder. The Hong Kong government on Saturday said in a statement that it “strongly deplores and opposes the incident” which occurred at the Asian Classic Powerlifting Championship in Dubai on Friday, adding it had asked the Sports... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3201932/protest-song-played-instead-chinese-national-anthem-dubai-powerlifting-event-hong-kong-athlete-makes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3201932/protest-song-played-instead-chinese-national-anthem-dubai-powerlifting-event-hong-kong-athlete-makes?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 03 Dec 2022 03:42:24 +0000 Hong Kong’s men successfully defended their Asia Rugby Sevens Series title with a 21-7 over hosts UAE in Al Ain on Sunday. Victory made it a perfect three from three for coach Jevon Groves’ side, in a competition in which the only minor blip on an otherwise spotless record was a draw with UAE in Korea. Groves called the win “a good result in the end” after a scrappy and penalty-strewn final, but he said completing the hat-trick was “hugely pleasing”. The triumph also earned Hong Kong a spot in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3201191/asia-rugby-sevens-series-perfect-hong-kong-make-it-3-3-coach-jevon-groves-hails-real-team-effort?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3201191/asia-rugby-sevens-series-perfect-hong-kong-make-it-3-3-coach-jevon-groves-hails-real-team-effort?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 27 Nov 2022 14:59:53 +0000 Hong Kong’s men’s and women’s sevens squads enjoyed a positive start to the final tournament of the 2022 Asia Rugby Sevens Series on Saturday in the UAE. The men reached their third straight cup semi-final and will play Japan on Sunday at 4.20pm, Hong Kong time. The women also had a positive outing and are progressing towards the trophy with their semi final set against China at 6.25pm. Men’s sevens coach Jevon Groves was pleased with his charges from top to bottom. “We utilised the full squad... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3201119/asia-rugby-sevens-series-hong-kongs-men-and-women-course-trophies-uae?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3201119/asia-rugby-sevens-series-hong-kongs-men-and-women-course-trophies-uae?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 26 Nov 2022 14:55:18 +0000 The playing of a protest song instead of the national anthem at a rugby match involving Hong Kong has led to serious consequences. Senior city officials have condemned the incident, which occurred at a game in South Korea. The chief secretary met the country’s consul general and demanded it conduct a probe. Hong Kong police, meanwhile, launched an investigation. The president of Asia Rugby, organiser of the event, flew in to apologise in person. He stressed it was an innocent mistake not driven... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3200916/let-hong-kong-athletes-focus-sport-while-officials-play-right-anthem?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3200916/let-hong-kong-athletes-focus-sport-while-officials-play-right-anthem?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 24 Nov 2022 22:30:21 +0000 Hong Kong will hope to put the furore surrounding the national anthem blunder behind them this weekend, when the Asia Rugby Sevens Series makes its final stop in Abu Dhbai. The men’s second successive victory of the series in Korea was completely overshadowed by the playing of the wrong song before the final, a game where they beat the hosts 19-12. All but assured of retaining their men’s overall title in the city of Al Ain, Hong Kong have handed senior debuts to Pat Joe Laidler and Juan Mba... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3200866/after-national-anthem-blunder-hong-kong-ready-focus-wrapping-title-final-asia-rugby-sevens-series?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3200866/after-national-anthem-blunder-hong-kong-ready-focus-wrapping-title-final-asia-rugby-sevens-series?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 24 Nov 2022 11:00:20 +0000 A political storm has engulfed the Hong Kong rugby team after a song associated with the 2019 anti-government protests was played at a game in South Korea instead of the Chinese national anthem, drawing the ire of government officials and sparking a police probe. The saga snowballed after it was revealed the Chinese national anthem was also mislabelled on two previous occasions, with officials calling the repeated blunders “unbelievable”. On Tuesday, after discussion with the Hong Kong... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3200557/why-national-anthem-blunders-have-left-hong-kong-rugby-reeling-and-what-being-done-stop-same?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3200557/why-national-anthem-blunders-have-left-hong-kong-rugby-reeling-and-what-being-done-stop-same?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 23 Nov 2022 02:00:13 +0000 Hong Kong athletes should make a “T” sign with their hands if they notice anything amiss when the Chinese national anthem and the city’s flag are used at international sporting events under a new set of sector-wide guidelines. The Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong issued the protocols on Tuesday as Asia Rugby’s president Qais Abdulla al-Dhalai flew from Dubai to offer an apology to No 2 official Eric Chan Kwok-ki after a protest song was played instead of “March of the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3200619/hong-kong-athletes-make-t-sign-if-they-spot-anthem-flag-blunders-sports-events-new-guidelines-state?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3200619/hong-kong-athletes-make-t-sign-if-they-spot-anthem-flag-blunders-sports-events-new-guidelines-state?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Nov 2022 14:31:59 +0000 Police interviewed members of the Hong Kong Rugby Union on Monday and seized records of the body’s communications as part of an investigation into a series of mix-ups at overseas sporting events involving China’s national anthem. A police spokesman said the inquiry would cover three separate incidents where the protest song “Glory to Hong Kong”, which originated during the anti-government demonstrations in 2019, was either played or identified as the city’s national anthem instead of “March of... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3200470/members-hong-kong-rugby-union-interviewed-police-over-national-anthem-mix-ups-overseas-sports-events?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3200470/members-hong-kong-rugby-union-interviewed-police-over-national-anthem-mix-ups-overseas-sports-events?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 21 Nov 2022 17:23:34 +0000 Hong Kong’s No 2 official has expressed “strong dissatisfaction” with international and regional rugby governing bodies as city police launch an investigation into whether there was criminal intent behind mix-ups involving the Chinese national anthem and a protest song at several matches. Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki on Sunday said it was “ridiculous” and “unbelievable” that mistakes concerning the national anthem had occurred several times, and accused World Rugby and Asia Rugby of giving... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3200281/hong-kongs-no-2-official-expresses-strong-dissatisfaction-overseas-rugby-bodies-over-anthem-blunders?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3200281/hong-kongs-no-2-official-expresses-strong-dissatisfaction-overseas-rugby-bodies-over-anthem-blunders?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 20 Nov 2022 03:16:07 +0000 The Chinese national anthem was mixed up with a Hong Kong protest song at two more sporting events overseas, it emerged on Saturday, less than a week after a similar blunder in South Korea angered the city’s government and sparked a police investigation. A video clip posted on a popular sports streaming site showed the city’s rugby team standing on the pitch in a Dubai stadium before a match with Portugal on November 6 as “March of the Volunteers” played, but the TV broadcaster carrying the game... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3200239/hong-kong-protest-song-again-mixed-chinese-national-anthem-rugby-match?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3200239/hong-kong-protest-song-again-mixed-chinese-national-anthem-rugby-match?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 19 Nov 2022 08:57:00 +0000 As a former tournament manager for Asia Rugby whose responsibilities included running many sevens tournaments in South Korea, I would like to clarify what should have happened last weekend. When I ran Asia’s rugby competitions across more than 20 countries and regions, it was a basic operational requirement to ensure anthems and other national symbols were in place and properly displayed. Over hundreds of games, I always listened to the anthems with the host union before play started. As early... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3199955/what-should-have-happened-south-korea-hong-kong-protest-song-blunder-and-what-should-happen-now?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3199955/what-should-have-happened-south-korea-hong-kong-protest-song-blunder-and-what-should-happen-now?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 17 Nov 2022 08:25:52 +0000 Hong Kong should file a complaint to the world governing body for rugby and push to ban South Korea from hosting such events, a sports sector leader in the city has said over a blunder at a match in Incheon where a 2019 protest song was played instead of the Chinese national anthem. Ronnie Wong Man-chiu, honorary secretary general of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, on Wednesday said he would not accept the explanation from Asia Rugby, the tournament organisers, that it... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3199803/hong-kong-should-file-complaint-rugby-world-body-ban-south-korea-hosting-events-sports-sector-leader?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3199803/hong-kong-should-file-complaint-rugby-world-body-ban-south-korea-hosting-events-sports-sector-leader?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 16 Nov 2022 06:16:03 +0000 The playing of national anthems at sports events may go wrong for many reasons. Embarrassing as they are, such mistakes often end up as nothing more than a political storm in a teacup. But the playing of a Hong Kong protest song instead of the anthem at a rugby match in South Korea involving a team from the city at the weekend has struck a raw nerve amid a growing awakening of sovereignty and national security. The incident needs to be handled seriously. The severity of the matter is reflected... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3199747/foul-play-anthem-must-be-cleared?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3199747/foul-play-anthem-must-be-cleared?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 15 Nov 2022 22:45:12 +0000 The governing body for rugby in Asia has come clean and admitted it failed to send a recording of the Chinese national anthem for use at a match in Korea involving Hong Kong, where a 2019 protest song was played instead, sparking condemnation from city officials and politicians. While Asia Rugby repeatedly apologised for the blunder at a press conference on Tuesday, it insisted its organising partner in South Korea had made an honest mistake with no “malicious” intent. The Hong Kong Rugby Union,... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3199658/hong-kong-leader-tasks-sports-officials-look-improvements-after-protest-song-instead-national-anthem?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3199658/hong-kong-leader-tasks-sports-officials-look-improvements-after-protest-song-instead-national-anthem?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 15 Nov 2022 06:38:52 +0000 The Hong Kong government has ordered a police inquiry and registered its “strong opposition” with South Korea’s top diplomat in the city after a protest song linked to 2019’s social unrest was played instead of the Chinese national anthem at a rugby match involving the city’s team in Incheon. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Monday said it was “unacceptable” for Asia Rugby – the organisers of the tournament – to have played “Glory to Hong Kong” rather than “March of the Volunteers” as the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3199497/hong-kong-demands-full-investigation-after-2019-protest-song-played-korean-rugby-tournament-instead?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3199497/hong-kong-demands-full-investigation-after-2019-protest-song-played-korean-rugby-tournament-instead?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 14 Nov 2022 02:48:34 +0000 Hong Kong’s men progress to cup quarter finals with wins over Sri Lanka and China before draw against United Arab Emirates, while the women will play in the plate after losing tough games against Kazakhstan and China. Paul John’s side finished with two wins and a draw, and will face the Philippines in the last eight, who conjured up a surprise 12-5 win over Japan to finish second in Pool B. Elsewhere, the women dropped into the plate competition after a physically punishing afternoon saw them... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3199414/asia-rugby-sevens-series-hong-kong-ease-last-8-korea-despite-late-draw-against-uae?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3199414/asia-rugby-sevens-series-hong-kong-ease-last-8-korea-despite-late-draw-against-uae?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 12 Nov 2022 14:23:21 +0000 Hong Kong have opted to rest Max Denmark for this weekend’s Asia Rugby Sevens Series stop in South Korea, with Liam Herbert replacing the dangerous attacker in the squad. Denmark’s omission is one of five changes head coach Paul John has made to the group that won the opening tournament in Thailand, with Cado Lee Ka-to, Pierce Mackinlay-West, Alessandro Nardoni and Alex McQueen all stepping aside. There is also a return to the side for Jamie Hood, who comes back into the set-up a year after his... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3199319/hong-kong-rest-star-player-max-denmark-asia-rugby-sevens-series-south-korea?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3199319/hong-kong-rest-star-player-max-denmark-asia-rugby-sevens-series-south-korea?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 11 Nov 2022 09:47:16 +0000 Hong Kong warmed up for their first home tournament since 2019 in style, thumping Japan 36-19 in the final of the first leg of the Asia Rugby Sevens Series in Bangkok on Sunday. After three commanding pool victories the day before, Hong Kong ploughed through their regional rivals to take out the tournament and ensure they will hit the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens in a fortnight full of momentum. “To finish it like we did against Japan was really good,” said Hong Kong coach Jevon Groves,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3196966/asia-rugby-sevens-series-hong-kong-tune-first-home-event-2019-dominant-showing-bangkok?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3196966/asia-rugby-sevens-series-hong-kong-tune-first-home-event-2019-dominant-showing-bangkok?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 23 Oct 2022 12:49:14 +0000