appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

liveArticle

appConfig

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

sponsorType

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

sectionsV2

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

json

Nicolas Atkin

As soon as the pools for the 2019 Hong Kong Sevens were released, all eyes were on the “group of death” that should provide plenty of action on Friday and Saturday.
Fiji and New Zealand, who have shared the last eight titles, have been placed in pool C along with Australia and last season’s finalists, Kenya.
Pool A also looks like it will be fiercely contested, while pool B looks wide open.
Here is a rundown of all the teams battling it out in Hong Kong:

Pool A


South Africa
2019 World Series position: 4th
Most points this series: Selvyn Davids (140)
Most tries this series: Siviwe Soyizwapi (21)
Record in 2019 series: 23-11
Series champions last season, South Africa have taken a little time to get going but stood tall in Vancouver last month and are one of the form teams coming in to Hong Kong.
Samoa
Series position: 7th
Most points: Alamanda Motuga (95)
Most tries: Alamanda Motuga (19)
Record: 20-15
Surprise finalists in Las Vegas, and capable of upsetting the big boys on their day – but still frustratingly inconsistent.

Scotland
Series position: 9th
Most points: Gavin Lowe (109)
Most tries: Robbie Fergusson (16)
Record: 13-18
Began the season reasonably strongly and were fifth in Hamilton, beating Australia and Samoa along the way, but have failed to replicate that form since. Will have strong support in Hong Kong, though, and capable of getting out of the group.
Japan
Series position: 15th
Most points: Katsuyuki Sakai (76)
Most tries: Naoki Motomura (10)
Record: 6-27
Perennial whipping boys have the worst record of all the teams to have played every round this season. The only Asian team in the series, they’ll have some support here no doubt.

Pool B


France
Series position: 10th
Most points: Jean Pascal Barraque (113)
Most tries: Stephen Parez (11)
Record: 13-19
Were meandering towards an unremarkable campaign until a stunning run to the final in Vancouver last month. The city’s sizeable French population will be roaring them on to repeat their heroics.
Argentina
Series position: 8th
Most points: Lautaro Bazan Velez (93)
Most tries: Franco Sabato (17)
Record: 18-15
Usually put in a decent showing, and dangerous on their day, but unable to take that next step up to the top level. Fourth in Las Vegas with a couple of other top-eight finishes.

Canada
Series position: 12th
Most points: Nathan Hirayama (145)
Most tries: Connor Braid (20)
Record: 13-17
Made it out of their group in Hamilton but little else to celebrate this season. But a chance to make the top-eight here from an inconsistent group.
Portugal
Invited to take part in the Hong Kong extravaganza. Will be making their debut in this season’s series – possibly the kindest pool they could have asked for.

Pool C


Fiji
Series position: 3rd
Most points: Alasio Sovita Naduva (137)
Most tries: Alasio Sovita Naduva (27)
Record: 28-8
Back-to-back winners in Cape Town and Hamilton, perennial Hong Kong crowd favourites Fiji are four-time defending champions here and have scored the most points overall this season (977). Champions six of the last seven years, winning in Hong Kong is what that most Fiji fans demand.
New Zealand
Series position: 2nd
Most points: Andrew Knewstubb (177)
Most tries: Sione Molia (18)
Record: 28-7
The second-highest overall points scorers (952), the All Blacks Sevens have victories in Dubai and Sydney, and were third in Hamilton and Las Vegas. Thirteen-time winners in Hong Kong, but haven’t lifted the trophy since 2014.

Australia
Series position: 6th
Most points: John Porch (175)
Most tries: John Porch (17)
Record: 19-14
Showed promise in Dubai with a fourth-placed finish but have crumbled in the big games and tailed off to such an extent that their low seeding means pool C has become a “group of death”.
Kenya
Series position: 14th
Most points: Daniel Taabu
Most tries: Vincent Onyala (16)
Record: 7-25
Unlucky runners-up in Hong Kong last year, Kenya’s standards have slipped remarkably this season – they’ve failed to make it to the Cup quarter-finals in all six rounds.

Pool D


USA
Series position: 1st
Most points: Madison Hughes (198)
Most tries: Carlin Isles (32)
Record: 27-9
Mike Friday’s Eagles come into the tournament as favourites, with a win in Las Vegas and second place in the first three rounds putting them top.
England
Series position: 5th
Most points: Dan Norton (120)
Most tries: Dan Norton (24)
Record: 24-12
England have two third-place finishes this season in Dubai and Sydney, and were fifth last time out in Vancouver, but haven’t won in Hong Kong since 2006.

Wales
Series position: 13th
Most points: Luke Treharne (119)
Most tries: Luke Treharne (11)
Record: 8-25
Their fifteens may have done the grand slam at the Six Nations, but it’s a different story in sevens for Wales, who have failed to make the Cup quarter-finals in all five events.
Spain
Series position: 11th
Most points: Francisco Hernandez (110)
Most tries: Pol Pla (17)
Record: 14-17
The Spaniards have shown themselves capable of pulling off a few upsets this season, and finished sixth in Cape Town.


HSBC SVNS Perth: New Zealand women win again, South Africa’s Blitzboks halt Fijian momentum

HSBC SVNS Singapore: Fiji men, rampant Black Ferns claim titles

HSBC SVNS Singapore: Fiji men set to defend title; Australian, Kiwi women set to meet again

Hong Kong’s sevens heartbreak as World Rugby meddling plunges beaten city team into void

HSBC SVNS Series

Hong Kong Sevens 2019 pools and teams: World Series standings, points, tries for all the contenders

The US and New Zealand will be two of the big favourites this weekend in Hong Kong. Photo: AFP

South Africa's Stedman Gans (10) tackles France's Pierre Gilles Lakafia (right) during the championship final at the World Rugby Sevens Series action in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Sunday March 10, 2019. (Ben Nelms/The Canadian Press via AP)

Fiji's Josua Vakurunabili (L) is kissed after scoring a try by teammate Terio Veilawa (R) during the World Rugby Sevens Series match between Fiji and Wales at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on January 26, 2019. (Photo by MICHAEL BRADLEY / AFP)

New Zealand's Andrew Knewstubb reaches out to score a try during the World Rugby Sevens Series match between New Zealand and Canada at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on January 26, 2019. (Photo by MICHAEL BRADLEY / AFP)

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 03: Folau Niua #7 of the United States scores a try against New Zealand during the USA Sevens Rugby tournament at Sam Boyd Stadium on March 3, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The United States won 24-19. Ethan Miller/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

***FOR NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY*** Argentina wins the Plate final against the USA on the third and final day of the Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens at the Hong Kong Stadium on April 08, 2018. 08APR18 R7 SCMP / K. Y. Cheng

South Africa's Selvyn Davids carries the ball against Chile during World Rugby Sevens Series action in Vancouver, Canada, March 9, 2019. (Photo by Don MacKinnon / AFP)

Max McFarland (R) of Scotland vies for the ball with Amenoni Nasilasila (L) of Fiji during their match in the Men's Sevens World Rugby Dubai Series on November 30, 2018 in Dubai. (Photo by KARIM SAHIB / AFP)

The England rugby team (including flier Dan Norton, 3rd left) train at So Kong Po in preparation for the HK Sevens 2019 which begins on Friday April 5, 2019. 02APR19 SCMP / K. Y. Cheng

World Rugby Sevens: the story so far as series comes to Hong Kong with US dominating

The US lead the standings coming into Hong Kong. Photo: AFP

New Zealand's Ngarohi Black chases the against the U.S. during the final match of the Emirates Airline Rugby Sevens in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)

New Zealand's players perform the Haka after they beat the U.S. in the final match of the Emirates Airline Rugby Sevens in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)

Steve Tomasin of the US celebrates victory against Samoa in the Cup final match at the USA Sevens Rugby tournament on March 3, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. - the US defeated Samoa 27-0. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP)

epa07340197 Joe Ravouvou (R) of New Zealand is tackled during the Sydney Rugby 7's Men's Cup final match between the USA and New Zealand in Sydney, Australia, 03 February 2019. EPA-EFE/CRAIG GOLDING AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

epa07219880 Danny Barrett (up) of the USA dives over Amanaki Nicole (bottom) of New Zealand to score a try during day 2 of the 2018 HSBC Cape Town Sevens rugby tournament in Cape Town, South Africa, 09 December 2018. EPA-EFE/RYAN WILKISKY

Selvyn Davids.

Gold medalist South Africa's team (C), silver medalist France's team (L) and bronze medalist Fiji's team (R) pose on the field at the Vancouver World Rugby Sevens Series in Vancouver, BC, Canada on March 10, 2019. (Photo by Don MacKinnon / AFP)

Fiji players celebrate after winning the HSBC World Rugby Sevens tournament at the end of the final match between United States and Fiji on December 9, 2017 at the Cape Town Stadium in Cape Town. (Photo by RODGER BOSCH / AFP)

Hong Kong Sevens 2019: schedule, dates, tickets, odds, how to watch

The Hong Kong Sevens is back Hong Kong Stadium on April 5. Photo: Sam Tsang

***FOR NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY*** Fans during the second day of the Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens at the Hong Kong Stadium on April 07, 2018. 07APR18 R7 SCMP / Edward Wong

***FOR NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY*** Fans enjoy during the second day at the Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens at the Hong Kong Stadium on April 07, 2018. 07APR18 R7 SCMP / Xiaomei Chen

***FOR NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY*** Fans enjoy the vibe on the first day at the Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens at Hong Kong Stadium on April 06, 2018. 06APR18 R7 SCMP / Roy Issa

Sport

Rugby

HK Sevens


Take a look at the key stats for every team heading into this weekend at Hong Kong Stadium
‘Group of death’ with Fiji, New Zealand, Australia and Kenya should provide thrills



Taking a look at the key stats and takeaways for every team heading into this weekend at Hong Kong Stadium.


Hong Kong Sevens

Hong Kong Sevens 2019 pools and teams: World Series standings, points, tries for all the contenders

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;} Take a look at the key stats for every team heading into this weekend at Hong Kong Stadium ‘Group of death’ with Fiji, New Zealand, Australia and Kenya should provide thrills

Pool A

Take a look at the key stats for every team heading into this weekend at Hong Kong Stadium

‘Group of death’ with Fiji, New Zealand, Australia and Kenya should provide thrills