Agony for Hong Kong: defeats by two points and one point put Paul John’s men under pressure
Home side need victory against Zimbabwe after going down 14-12 to Germany and 22-21 to PNG
It was a familiar story as Paul John’s men came agonisingly close in their pool F games against Germany and Papua New Guinea, losing both by narrow margins.
After a 14-12 loss against the Germans, Hong Kong held the lead against PNG with the final hooter about to blow but allowed their opponents to score under the posts for a converted try and a 22-21 defeat.
Hong Kong are last in pool F after two matches but the results in other matches have been such that they still have a good chance of making it through to the knockout stages.
“We just have to dust ourselves off, and recover because we have one more game against Zimbabwe and hopefully we can get through to the elimination rounds,” said Hong Kong captain Ben Rimene.
“Sevens is also about fitness and obviously day two will be harder than day one and we just have to come back, recover and get back out there tomorrow.”
Arthur Clement speeds to a try in the men's world series qualifier here in Hong Kong #HK7s pic.twitter.com/TMhK3BTGtl— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) April 6, 2018
Germany are through after victories over Hong Kong and Zimbabwe (27-7) while PNG and Zimbabwe have one win each. Hong Kong’s points difference is only -3 and victory over Zimbabwe (-13) could see them qualify for the quarter-finals as one of the two best third-placed teams.