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Patrick Blennerhassett

The dream is alive and a coveted spot on next season’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series is within touching distance for the hometown boys.
Hong Kong beat the Philippines 17-7 in the quarter-finals on Saturday night of the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens to book a date with Chile in the semi-finals.
Chile beat Tonga in their quarter-final, while Ireland steamrollered Russia and Germany edged out Uruguay on the last play.
Hong Kong never make it easy on themselves – or their fans – and they conceded early to the Philippines, a team they beat handily in the pool stage.




Two of Hong Kong’s three tries went to video review, which also made for some tense moments inside the stadium.
One of Hong Kong’s strongest players all weekend has been Jack Neville, with the 26-year-old making key tackles and superb runs.
Neville said last year’s Sevens’ frustration is still on the minds of many of the players, a tournament that saw the team make the quarter-finals but lose to Chile in heartbreaking fashion.
Now that Hong Kong have bettered last year’s performance, they will also get a chance to gain revenge on Chile, who sent them packing.
“That was pretty disappointing for us so a lot of guys remembered that this year,” said Neville. “So we wanted to make sure we didn’t repeat that. Obviously going through the group stage as the top seeds helped and that was really ideal for us. The Philippines are a good squad, there are no easy games.”
Hong Kong Sevens: USA use get-out-of-jail card to keep hopes alive after defeats by Wales and England
Neville said experience has played a big part in this year’s squad and getting over the hump and making it to the semi-finals. He said the team have been able to feed off the crowd, while still remaining composed as they have trailed their opponents in three of their four games.
“A lot of the guys have done this before and been here before, so that’s helped us a lot,” said Neville.

After levelling the scores at half-time, Hong Kong came out as an inspired team in the second half, and added two more tries, the last from Tom McQueen, who said it was “crazy” to seal the deal.
“We knew the Philippines were going to be good and they came out strong and we just had to keep our composure,” said McQueen.
Coach Paul John called their 19-12 win earlier in the day over Tonga, which sealed the top seed heading into the quarter-finals, a “classic win” in which a smaller Hong Kong used speed and skill to overcome a much bigger Polynesian squad.
Hong Kong Sevens: Ireland meet Germany in World Series Qualifier semi-final after crushing Waisale Serevi’s Russia
John said there is still a lot for his team to work on heading into Sunday. Hong Kong needed some key tackles to keep the Philippines in check, one in particular from Salom Yiu Kam-shing, who chased down a breakaway runner who looked destined to score.
Yiu, who has been handling the Cantonese media after each game with grace and a smile, and scored Hong Kong’s first try in the second half against the Philippines, is a local hero, but he’s a bit uneasy with the “superstar label”, remaining eternally humble.

“I don’t like the term ‘superstar’, there’s a lot of pressure with that and I don’t think I am a superstar. I just want to do my best and play well for Hong Kong,” Yiu said.
John said they would study some tapes from the game against the Philippines, and see where they can make some improvements for Chile.
“We have to be better with the ball, that’s been a thing all tournament, and stay out of contact areas with bigger teams,” John said.
John said he probably won’t say much, other than to make sure they recover, stretch, have a good meal and get a good night’s sleep.
Hong Kong Sevens: Fiji unearth another star on unbeaten run to Cup quarter-finals
“They’re probably sick of my voice by now, I know I am. And they know what to do to prepare for tomorrow,” said John.
John said Chile will be a tough match, as they have beaten a few teams recently who are on the World Series.
“We know they’re a good squad, so we will have to play our best to win or they will send us home quickly. The mistakes we made against the Philippines, we can’t do that against them because they will make us pay,” added John.
Jamie Hood, 32, said the team is clicking at the right time.
“We’re just working hard for each other. Now every game matters. There’s no easy games in this qualifier and now they get harder each match,” said Hood.


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Hong Kong Sevens

Hong Kong within touching distance of joining big boys in sevens World Series

Cado Lee Ka-to passes the ball to Lee Jones during their quarter-final win against the Philippines. Photo: Felix Wong

Michael Coverdale (#2) of Hong Kong fights for the ball during a game against Tonga on the second day of HK Sevens 2019 at Hong Kong Stadium. 06APR19 R7 SCMP / Jonathan Wong

Jack Neville (#7) of Hong Kong runs with the ball as Philippines tries to tackle during the final match on the second day of HK Sevens 2019 at Hong Kong Stadium. 06APR19 R7 SCMP / Winson Wong

As it happened: Hong Kong Sevens 2019 live blog day two -- Hong Kong excellent as they reach the semi-finals of the World Series Qualifier

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

Hong Kong Sevens: Fiji unearth another star on unbeaten run to Cup quarter-finals

Sevuloni Mocenacagi (#1) of Fiji passes the ball to teammate Vilimoni Botitu (#7) during a game against New Zealand on the second day of HK Sevens 2019 at Hong Kong Stadium. 06APR19 R7 SCMP / Winson Wong

Ryan Oosthuizen (#4) of South Africa runs with the ball during a game against Scotland on the second day of HK Sevens 2019 at Hong Kong Stadium. 06APR19 R7 SCMP / Sam Tsang

Jerry Tuwai (#9) of Fiji runs with the ball as Joseva Ravouvou (#4) of New Zealand tackles him during a game on the second day of HK Sevens 2019 at Hong Kong Stadium. 06APR19 R7 SCMP / Winson Wong

Johnny Samuelu (#5) of Samoa runs with the ball as he is being tackled by South Africa during a game on the second day of HK Sevens 2019 at Hong Kong Stadium. 06APR19 R7 SCMP / Winson Wong

Livai Ikanikoda is thriving in the cauldron of the Hong Kong Sevens. Photo: Felix Wong

Hong Kong Sevens: Ireland meet Germany in World Series Qualifier semi-final after crushing Waisale Serevi’s Russia

***FOR NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY*** Coach of Russia and Fiji icon Waisale Serevi (centre) briefs the Russian team on the first day of HK Sevens 2019 at Hong Kong Stadium. 05APR19 R7 SCMP / Felix Wong

Russian and Irish players struggle during a game on the second day of HK Sevens 2019 at Hong Kong Stadium. 06APR19 R7 SCMP / Winson Wong

Harry McNulty of Ireland scores a try. Photo: Winson Wong

We know who’s No 1 and Hong Kong Sevens just showed the world (and Singapore) why ... again

A packed South Stand at its most crazy on the second day at the Hong Kong Sevens. Photo: Roy Issa

Kids holding flags of different countries taking part at the games march at the parade during the second day of HK Sevens 2019 at Hong Kong Stadium. 06APR19 R7 SCMP / Felix Wong

Fans attend the parade during the second day of HK Sevens 2019 at Hong Kong Stadium. 06APR19 R7 SCMP / Felix Wong

A performer dressed as Freddie Mercury sings during the second day of HK Sevens 2019 at Hong Kong Stadium. 06APR19 R7 SCMP / Benjamin Sieur

A team demonstrates during the parade the second day of HK Sevens 2019 at Hong Kong Stadium. 06APR19 R7 SCMP / Felix Wong

Sport

Rugby

HK Sevens


After beating the Philippines in the quarter-finals, they now have a score to settle with Chile in the semi-finals



After beating the Philippines in the quarter-finals, they now have a score to settle with Chile in the semi-finals.


Hong Kong within touching distance of joining big boys in sevens World Series

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;} After beating the Philippines in the quarter-finals, they now have a score to settle with Chile in the semi-finals

After beating the Philippines in the quarter-finals, they now have a score to settle with Chile in the semi-finals