Singapore Rugby Sevens: Hong Kong name team as they aim to build on home success

Five players retained from Shield-winning side at Hong Kong Sevens as coach Jevon Groves tests squad’s depth ahead of Challenger Series

The series, to be held later this month in South Africa, offers a chance to qualify to play on the elite circuit next season

3-MIN READ3-MIN

Mak Kwai-chung, a member of last weekend’s Shield-winning side, has been retained for the Singapore Sevens. Photo: Elson Li

Published: 8:00am, 7 Apr 2023

Hong Kong’s men’s team will be looking to maintain their momentum when they play in the HSBC Singapore Rugby Sevens this weekend.

The latest leg of the World Rugby Sevens Series gives them a chance to build on their displays in last weekend’s Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, in which they won the lowest-tier Shield – their first silverware in that tournament since 2010 – despite playing above their level, against the elite teams.

Fresh from their hometown heroics, five of the squad from Hong Kong will play again in the Lion City, while there are eight new faces.

Singapore is the second of four competitions this month, with the next being the two weekends of the Challenger Series in Stellenbosch, South Africa, on April 20-22 and 28-30. The Challenger offers one team the chance to claim a season-long place in the World Series, which Hong Kong presently appear in only sporadically as an invited side.

Max Denmark eludes Canada’s Kalin Sager on his way to the try-line in last Sunday’s Shield final. Photo: Elson Li

Accordingly, the squad named by the Hong Kong Rugby Union reflects a need to build strength in depth and competition for places, coach Jevon Groves said.