Q&A | Hong Kong Sevens: US superstar Perry Baker talks costumes, the South Stand and superstitions
- One of the most electrifying sevens players should be ready to go for the Hong Kong Sevens tournament in April
- Currently out with an injury, Baker took time to chat with the South China Morning Post about costumes, Kevin Gates and pre-game rituals
He’s been called everything from a monstrous speedster to a physical beast. The two-time World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year player is hoping he can recover from jaw surgery in time to play at the Hong Kong Sevens (April 5-7).
His American squad are on an absolute tear as they sit first in series standings, ahead of New Zealand and Fiji. They will be slotted in a group with England, Wales and Spain at Hong Kong Stadium.
Baker, 32, who stands at 1.85 metres, featured heavily in a recent HSBC documentary about the US Sevens team and its rise called The Pioneers. He is regarded as one of fastest players to have ever played the game, and took some time to answer seven questions with South China Morning Post.
What do you like most about playing at the Hong Kong Sevens?
“The fanbase and the atmosphere, how close you get to the fans and how loud it gets. And everyone is excited for every game. And also how much they understand the game of rugby. And then they have the parade during intermission with the dragons and the kids come out and dance. Hong Kong is just a big rugby fest and party. And the south side, everyone always talks about the south side because that’s such a crazy party, too. I mean the whole stadium is in an uproar every time.”
If you could attend a sevens tournament as a fan and dress up, what would you dress up as?
“Oh man, that’s a tough question. I don’t know really, it would have to be a part of a hot trend or something going on at the time. That’s a great question, I’ve never been asked that, I like that. I’ll have to think about it now and maybe one day I’ll come dressed up as that. That might be the way I come back (from my injury) and show up at the stadium.”
