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Women’s Rugby
RugbyHK Sevens

Consistency is key for women to make it to the big stage at Hong Kong Sevens

New captain Natasha Olson-Thorne determined to lead side through the preliminary rounds to reach final at Hong Kong Stadium

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Hong Kong women’s head coach Anna Richards (left) and captain Natasha Olson-Thorne look on during the squad announcement at King's Park in Ho Man Tin. Photos: Jonathan Wong/SCMP
Mathew Scott

Hong Kong tasted the entrée, now the main course beckons as new captain Natasha Olson-Thorne sets her sights on leading the locals out to play this coming Friday night in front of a packed Hong Kong Stadium.

And the 23-year-old winger knows exactly how her side has to approach the HSBC Hong Kong Women’s Rugby Sevens if they are to win their way through to the final of the tournament.

The girls are really psyched and getting back out to the stadium is our goal
Natasha Olson-Thorne

“It’s all about consistency,” said Olson-Thorne. “We’ve been working on that, and on making sure we go into each game at 100 per cent. The girls are really psyched and getting back out to the stadium is our goal. It’s about being calm and consistent.”

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The majority of the 12-woman squad, named on Friday, had their first taste of playing at the Hong Kong Stadium during last November’s Asia Rugby Olympic Sevens qualifier, which ended with the host nation finishing third behind Japan and Kazakhstan.

 

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Hong Kong players Nam Ka-man (left) and Lee Tsz-ting are on the ball for the coming action.
Hong Kong players Nam Ka-man (left) and Lee Tsz-ting are on the ball for the coming action.

Last year they came agonisingly close to the final, losing 10-5 to eventual winners Japan in the semis.

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