Hong Kong Sevens 2023: organisers reveal draw, promise to recapture former glory

Tournament from March 31 to April 2 will feature a full-capacity stadium, and women’s and mini rugby as well as men’s, after streamlined event last November

Draw pits Hong Kong’s women against New Zealand, Canada and Great Britain, and the men against France, Great Britain and Uruguay

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Fans revel in the Hong Kong Sevens’ return in November. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

Published: 5:04pm, 6 Mar 2023Updated: 11:19pm, 6 Mar 2023

Organisers of the 2023 Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens are promising to return the iconic event to its former stature when it takes place between March 31 and April 2.

And they have revealed the draw for the 46th edition, which offers some tantalising clashes to back up the hype.

It will include an upgraded women’s tournament. The city will host a leg of the HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series for the first time, with Hong Kong drawn to face New Zealand, Canada and Great Britain in their pool. In the men’s competition, the home team will take on France, Great Britain and Uruguay.

Plans for the event were announced at Monday’s tournament launch at the Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel, in front of Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung Yun-hung, sponsors and players.

Members of Hong Kong’s men’s and women’s teams attend the Sevens launch on Monday. Photo: Ike Li / Ike Images

It follows a streamlined Sevens in November, when it took place for the first time in three-and-a-half years after multiple postponements during the pandemic.