https://www.scmp.com/rss/327994/feed The 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens will be the seventh edition of the Rugby World Cup Sevens. Organised by World Rugby, it will be held at AT&T Park in San Francisco, United States. A total of 84 matches (52 men’s and 32 women’s) will be played over three days from July 20-22, 2018 with both tournaments being played for the first time in a knock-out only format. The defending champions are New Zealand in both the men's and women's events en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com The Hong Kong Sevens’ needs a new stadium if it is to stay ahead of the competition, with San Francisco’s successful staging of the Rugby World Cup Seven proving that rival cities are catching up. Hong Kong Rugby Union chief executive Robbie McRobbie, who attended the tournament over the weekend, said he was impressed by how the Americans put on the three-day show at the 40,800-capacity AT&T Park – the home of baseball’s Giants. “We definitely need a new stadium,” said McRobbie. “The entire... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/2156848/rugby-world-cup-sevens-2018-hong-kong-needs-kai-tak-sports?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/2156848/rugby-world-cup-sevens-2018-hong-kong-needs-kai-tak-sports?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Jul 2018 11:13:02 +0000 So another edition of the Rugby World Cup Sevens has come and gone, and there were plenty of talking points coming out of San Francisco 2018. New Zealand were crowned the winners in the men’s and women’s competitions, adding to their title at the Commonwealth Games in what has been a tremendous year, Here are some of the takeaways from another thrilling weekend of sevens: Format frustrates in San Fran Call me old fashioned but I quite like a group stage at a Sevens tournament. If the new format... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/2156466/rugby-world-cup-sevens-2018-hot-takes-format-frustrates-fiji?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/2156466/rugby-world-cup-sevens-2018-hot-takes-format-frustrates-fiji?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Jul 2018 08:36:55 +0000 A thrilling Rugby World Cup Sevens has come to a close in San Francisco and it was New Zealand who lifted the trophy at AT&T Stadium. Fan favourites Fiji had been favoured to go all the way but fell 22-17 to the All Blacks Sevens before losing to South Africa in the bronze final. England had earlier made it past the Blitzboks but couldn’t stop New Zealand, who made it a clean sweep after the All Blacks Ferns lifted the women’s title on Saturday. But don’t worry if you missed any of the action –... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/2156410/rugby-world-cup-sevens-2018-highlights-watch-joe-ravouvou-try?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/2156410/rugby-world-cup-sevens-2018-highlights-watch-joe-ravouvou-try?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Jul 2018 04:41:41 +0000 It’s been over four years since New Zealand’s spine-tingling haka in the rain at the 2014 Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens and they celebrated their return to the top of the game with an equally emotional version on Monday. The All Blacks Sevens remarkable Rugby World Cup Sevens victory in San Francisco evoked memories of them at their dominant best earlier this decade, with DJ Forbes at the wheel and the other teams making up the numbers. They won four HSBC World Sevens Series on the trot... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/2156394/rugby-world-cup-sevens-2018-all-blacks-haka-after-win-vs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/2156394/rugby-world-cup-sevens-2018-all-blacks-haka-after-win-vs?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Jul 2018 03:44:10 +0000 New Zealand surged to victory at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco on Monday as fan favourites Fiji crashed out of contention with back-to-back losses. The All Blacks Sevens destroyed England 33-12 in a shock final match-up, with many expecting Fiji and South Africa to be fighting it out for glory. That was put to rest when New Zealand edged Fiji 22-17 and England breezed past the Blitzboks 29-7 in the semi-finals, with South Africa defeating Fiji 24-19 in the bronze medal match. The... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/2156378/rugby-world-cup-sevens-2018-fiji-blitzed-bronze-final-new?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/2156378/rugby-world-cup-sevens-2018-fiji-blitzed-bronze-final-new?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Jul 2018 01:41:58 +0000 Hong Kong came up short in the Bowl final against Chile at the Rugby World Cup Sevens on Monday but coach Paul John said he was not at all disappointed by the overall effort of his side as he looks to next month’s Asian Games. Hong Kong went down 20-7 to Chile after earlier thumping Uruguay 31-5 in the Bowl semis, finishing the tournament with two wins and two losses and in 18th place overall. The intensity of the World Cup will hold Hong Kong in good stead when they come up against the likes of... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/2156374/rugby-world-cup-sevens-2018-hong-kong-tune-asian-games-after?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/2156374/rugby-world-cup-sevens-2018-hong-kong-tune-asian-games-after?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Jul 2018 00:30:50 +0000 A star-studded Fiji side was bundled out of the Rugby World Cup Sevens by a determined New Zealand outfit on Monday morning, with Gareth Baber’s men falling 22-17 in a cracking contest. It caps a year of disappointment for Fiji, who lost in the final of the Commonwealth Games – also to the All Blacks Sevens – and were pipped by South Africa in the HSBC Sevens World Series despite holding a healthy lead heading into the final round. New Zealand opened the scoring through a try through Joe... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/2156370/rugby-world-cup-sevens-2018fiji-crash-out-san-francisco-new?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/2156370/rugby-world-cup-sevens-2018fiji-crash-out-san-francisco-new?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Jul 2018 20:53:32 +0000 One commentator said “it feels like Suva or Nadi” at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco and the Fijian fans have again proven they are the best in rugby, if not all of sport, at AT&T Park this weekend. They have come out in droves to support their team and with them comes a vibe and an electricity that those familiar with the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens will be well aware of. The home of the San Francisco Giants has been awash with the light blue of the Fiji flag and the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/2156316/rugby-world-cup-sevens-2018-fiji-vs-argentina-proves-pacific?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/2156316/rugby-world-cup-sevens-2018-fiji-vs-argentina-proves-pacific?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Jul 2018 03:00:15 +0000 The Fiji train rolled on at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco on Sunday, with the Olympic champions running in seven tries in a 43-7 quarter-final mauling of Argentina. Semi Radradra showed his class to send Kalione Nasoko over to open the scoring in the second minute and when Paula Dranisinukula scored from the restart, it was clear the match was only heading one way. A fifth-minute Josua Tuisova try saw the islanders take a 19-0 lead into the break. Argentina drew first blood in the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/2156312/rugby-world-cup-sevens-2018-fiji-maul-argentina-reach-semi?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/2156312/rugby-world-cup-sevens-2018-fiji-maul-argentina-reach-semi?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 21 Jul 2018 23:31:52 +0000 The Daily Show host Trevor Noah caused a stir this week when he joked that “Africa won the World Cup” in reference to the amount of players of African heritage in the victorious France team in Russia, and the Rugby World Cup Sevens had its own example on Saturday. The talent drain from the Pacific Islands has been well documented but the clash between Fiji and Japan in San Francisco offered another stark reminder of just how big the issue is. It wasn’t quite Fiji A v Fiji B but it wasn’t far... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/2156277/rugby-world-cup-sevens-2018-fiji-v-japans-fiji-b-puts-pacific?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/2156277/rugby-world-cup-sevens-2018-fiji-v-japans-fiji-b-puts-pacific?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 21 Jul 2018 08:15:15 +0000 The chairman of the Fiji Rugby Union, Francis Kean, was reportedly refused a visa to enter the United States to watch his team at the Rugby World Cup Sevens because of a previous manslaughter conviction. The 52-year-old former navy commander was unable to join the thousands at the AT&T Park in San Francisco – home of baseball’s Giants – who watched Olympic champions Fiji’s 35-10 victory over Japan in their opening round of 16 match. According to rebel Fijian blogger Shailendra G Raju, Fijian... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/2156268/rugby-world-cup-sevens-fiji-chief-francis-kean-denied-us-visa?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/2156268/rugby-world-cup-sevens-fiji-chief-francis-kean-denied-us-visa?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 21 Jul 2018 06:15:00 +0000 They took a while to warm up but Fiji got their Rugby World Cup Sevens campaign off to a winning start against Japan on Saturday all the same, winning 35-10 after trailing at half-time. Japan got the jump on the Olympic champions with the opening try before Semi Kunatani hit back to give Fiji a 7-5 lead, but the underdogs wouldn’t lie down and found the line again through Jose Seru to lead at the break. The floodgates opened in the second half and tries to Jerry Tuwai, Josua Tuisova, Semi... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/2156259/rugby-world-cup-sevens-2018-fiji-crush-japan-reach-quarter?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/2156259/rugby-world-cup-sevens-2018-fiji-crush-japan-reach-quarter?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 21 Jul 2018 04:27:02 +0000 Hong Kong’s dream of stealing a win in the main draw at the Rugby World Cup Sevens was over within seven minutes on Saturday morning, with Russia ambushing Paul John’s side with a dominant first half before going on to win 21-7. The score was 21-0 at the break after three quick-fire Russian tries, before Hong Kong fought back in the second half to restore some respectability to the scoreboard at AT&T Park in San Francisco. It’s been only two weeks since Hong Kong played the Cook Islands in a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/2156246/rugby-world-cup-sevens-2018-hong-kong-blown-away-early-russia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/2156246/rugby-world-cup-sevens-2018-hong-kong-blown-away-early-russia?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Jul 2018 23:55:03 +0000 They have been building the Rugby World Cup Sevens up all season and the time has arrived for the United States to make their mark while the sport is in the shop window. Try machine Perry Baker is at the forefront of that charge and the speedster says “the sky is the limit” for rugby in the US, while retired veteran Zack Test issued a warning about what is to come. “We are just scratching the surface,” Test said in part one of The Pioneers, a documentary following the USA Sevens’ World Cup... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/2156192/rugby-world-cup-sevens-2018-usa-ready-deliver-san-francisco?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/2156192/rugby-world-cup-sevens-2018-usa-ready-deliver-san-francisco?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Jul 2018 13:03:08 +0000 Five tournament wins on the HSBC Sevens World Series, including the coveted Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, and a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games. Not a bad year’s work in anyone’s book. Except, maybe, the mighty Fijians, who could finish what has been a superb season without a top gong if they fall short at this weekend’s Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco. Missing out at the Commonwealth Games was one thing – it came in the middle of a heavy schedule and just days after their... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/2156123/rugby-world-cup-sevens-fiji-dream-team-must-deliver-san?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/2156123/rugby-world-cup-sevens-fiji-dream-team-must-deliver-san?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Jul 2018 05:57:54 +0000 Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018 men’s fixtures Saturday, July 21 (Hong Kong time) Sunday, July 22 (Hong Kong time) Monday, July 23 (Hong Kong time) Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018 women’s fixtures Saturday, July 21 (Hong Kong time) Sunday, July 22 (Hong Kong time) https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/2155825/rugby-world-cup-sevens-2018-schedule-dates-teams-scores?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/2155825/rugby-world-cup-sevens-2018-schedule-dates-teams-scores?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 Jul 2018 04:45:45 +0000 Hong Kong will be up against it from the word go when they kick off their Rugby World Cup Sevens campaign in San Francisco on Saturday morning (Hong Kong time). A new structure that has done away with pool play means every match is a knockout and Hong Kong have drawn Russia in the pre-round of 16, a team that has been on the World Series for the past three seasons. Hong Kong will take confidence from their win over the Russians at last year’s Singapore Sevens, although coach Paul John would... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/2155918/rugby-world-cup-sevens-hong-kong-head-san-francisco-their?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/2155918/rugby-world-cup-sevens-hong-kong-head-san-francisco-their?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 Jul 2018 02:15:45 +0000 To the millions of American sports fans seething about their team’s absence from Russia 2018, I have good news. The Rugby World Cup Sevens is here to sooth your anger and restore your pride in your great nation. Not doing it for you? Well it should be, at least for 30 million of you. That’s according to World Rugby, who say there are 30 million rugby fans in the US, a number matched only in China. It is when the powers that be trot out the line that a fan is someone who is “interested or very... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/2155182/rugby-world-cup-sevens-2018-fifa-shadow-looms-large-san?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/2155182/rugby-world-cup-sevens-2018-fifa-shadow-looms-large-san?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 13 Jul 2018 09:00:30 +0000 The International Cricket Council has drawn the ire of all and sundry after reducing its 50-over World Cup from 14 teams to 10, but it may finally have found an ally in World Rugby. The David v Goliath battles – and the upsets that the sporting public love so much – have effectively been stamped out of cricket and World Rugby took a step in the same direction on Wednesday when announcing the fixture for the Rugby World Cup Sevens in July. A tournament that has traditionally been divided into... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/2144352/hong-kong-cop-short-end-stick-world-rugby-joins-icc-losing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/2144352/hong-kong-cop-short-end-stick-world-rugby-joins-icc-losing?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 03 May 2018 00:00:30 +0000 People jest that the oldest profession is prostitution. But it seems this claim may be off by several thousand years. The really oldest professions may be priests and brewers – though who knows whether these ancient professions ever called for the services of the ladies of the night. Maybe it’s a draw. It’s the brewers that really prompted me to pause. Maybe it’s the fact that I have just finished my seven day starvation detox in Thailand, and have been fantasising a lot about a long cool... https://www.scmp.com/business/article/2076232/eat-drink-and-be-merry-its-our-genes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/article/2076232/eat-drink-and-be-merry-its-our-genes?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Mar 2017 01:00:00 +0000 The 2018 men’s and women’s Rugby World Cup Sevens will be hosted in San Francisco, giving the sport in the United States a significant event which organisers and World Rugby hope will spread the game's appeal there. The city's AT&T Park – home of Major League Baseball's San Francisco Giants – will be the main venue, with support from Avaya Stadium in San Jose, when the world’s top men’s and women’s sevens players showcase their talent ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The dates for the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1796231/sevens-world-cup-be-hosted-san-francisco?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/sevens/article/1796231/sevens-world-cup-be-hosted-san-francisco?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 14 May 2015 02:00:00 +0000