Hong Kong men win Asia Rugby Sevens Series title, women seal third after dazzling Dubai weekend

Men secure second win in two days over South Korea in the final as they claim top seeding for 2022 Asian Games

Women’s team find form after earlier losses to sink Kazakhstan and earn third seeding for Hangzhou

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Hong Kong men's rugby sevens team lift the Asia Rugby Sevens Series 2021 trophy after winning the final in Dubai and sealing a 2022 Rugby World Cup place. Photo: Asia Rugby

Published: 6:36pm, 21 Nov 2021Updated: 9:53pm, 21 Nov 2021

The Hong Kong men’s rugby sevens team emerged as champions of Asia in Dubai over the weekend, securing top seeding for the 2022 Asian Games while also qualifying for next year’s World Cup finals. The women, meanwhile, secured the bronze at the Asia Rugby Sevens Series and will be seeded third for Hangzhou.

The men beat South Korea convincingly 33-7 in the final having already booked their place in the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 in South Africa by beating China in the semi-finals.

It was the second meeting with South Korea in as many days after a 14-7 win for Hong Kong opened pool play on Friday. Korea had built steam throughout the weekend, beating Japan in their semi-final to also book a World Cup spot. It was also another chance for the SAR to settle accounts after Korea’s sudden death win in the Olympic qualifiers two years ago. Hong Kong were all business as they compiled a composed and convincing victory.

Korea scored the opener, with Hong Kong allowing only their second try of the weekend, before powerful wide man Max Denmark levelled on five minutes.

Hong Kong men's rugby sevens team celebrate after they qualify for the 2022 Rugby World Cup in South Africa with their win at the Asia Rugby Sevens Series. Photo: Asia Rugby

From there on in it was one-way traffic as Hong Kong wreaked havoc at the restart. Russell Webb’s moon shot kicks allowed time for onrushing, though composed, forwards to pressure the Koreans.