We meet again – Hosts face Germany in World Series qualifier at Hong Kong Sevens
Paul John’s side will look to make amends for their defeat by the Germans last year as Fiji play New Zealand in a pool game
The holding of breaths and chanting of sevens minnows “Cook Islands, Cook Islands” from some Hong Kong players was not enough to steer Hong Kong’s luck at this year’s Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2018 group draw.
Audible sighs and grimaces emerged from a couple of Hong Kong stars after the host team’s group fate was sealed at this year’s Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2018 group draw.
Hong Kong will face Papua New Guinea, Germany and Zimbabwe in group F of the World Rugby Sevens Series Qualifier tournament starting on April 8.
“It was always going to be a tough draw,” said Hong Kong coach Paul John, who this time last year had jumped on a flight to the city, dropped his bags at the hotel and made his way to the draw.
“We know what to expect from Germany because we went there for a preseason training camp this year,” he said. “Very physical, and obviously we know what happened in the quarter finals with them last year.”
Hong Kong won two of their three games in the group stages of last year’s Sevens before ultimately losing to Germany 14-7 in the knockout stages.
The brawny Germans, along with “exciting” Papua New Guinea and Zimbabwe, will certainly give Hong Kong enough to think about as they jet off to Malaysia for the Borneo Sevens at the week’s end.
