Singapore Sevens return bodes well for Hong Kong says ‘hopeful’ rugby chief Robbie McRobbie
- New Zealand and South Africa find early form as event kicks off at National Stadium on Saturday
- Hong Kong Sevens has been delayed five times amid pandemic but is set to return in November
The resumption of world-class rugby in Singapore this weekend has Hong Kong rugby officials brimming with confidence that a November return of the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens is possible.
Robbie McRobbie, chief executive of the Hong Kong Rugby Union, told the Post he was “hopeful” that November’s hosting of the 45th annual Hong Kong Sevens will proceed as planned.
“The return of a full complement of fully vaccinated teams to a Series event in Asia gives us increased confidence in hosting the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens seven months from now,” McRobbie said.
“We wish all the fans in Singapore a magical experience, and all of the Hong Kong Sevens fans around the world continued patience as we count down the days until we can welcome them again.”
While fans may be understandably wary, McRobbie said the fact that all 16 Series teams are taking part in Singapore’s tournament for the first time in two years is a good sign.
“We wish the teams, players and match officials the best of luck, particularly our Hong Kong referee Craig Chan Chung-Ho who will be making his World Rugby HSBC Sevens Series debut this weekend,” McRobbie added.
The Singapore Sevens kicked off on Saturday at the National Stadium with 2020 Series champions New Zealand and defending Singapore Sevens champions South Africa both finding early form.
The defending champs wasted no time setting the tone with a crushing 31-5 defeat of Canada, with early tries from JC Pretorius and Siviwe Soyizwapi helping the Blitzboks clinch victory. They went on to defeat Kenya in similar style, securing a 26-5 victory.
In a stunning upset Ireland beat Fiji, with Jordan Conroy scoring twice in the first half as the underdogs led 14-0 at the break. Back-to-back tries in the second half from Vuiviawa Naduvalo and Joseva Talacolo gave Fiji some hope, but the Irish held firm for a historic 21-12 win.
In what was easily one of the stranger tries of the day, Kevon Williams ended the USA’s match against Canada in bizarre fashion. As Williams went to kick the ball out, it ricocheted off the posts and bounced into the in-goal area, where Canada’s Anton Ngongo raced in to touch it down. Despite the blunder, the USA took the game 33-12.
HSBC World Rugby Sevens series director Douglas Langley said he was delighted to be returning to the National Stadium in Singapore for the first time since 2019.
“It promises to be a very exciting round of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2022 following a uniquely challenging past two years as we have the full line up of 16 core teams playing in Singapore,” Langley said.
“It’s fantastic to have New Zealand and Samoa included for the first time in the 2022 Series, and we’re also looking forward to welcoming reigning Olympic champions Fiji back to Series action.
“South Africa won the 2021 Sevens Series and have been outstanding this season so far, winning four titles on the bounce.”
The Singapore Sevens concludes on Sunday.
