appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

Paul McNamara

Both of New Zealand’s defending champion teams have been handed tricky starts to the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, after the tournament pools were drawn on Friday.
The event on April 5 to 7 is being staged at Hong Kong Stadium for the last time before an expected move to Kai Tak Sports Park next year.
Hong Kong is the sixth stop on World Rugby’s eight-leg HSBC SVNS Series, featuring the world’s 12 leading sevens nations.
New Zealand’s men, who beat Fiji in last year’s final to capture their 12th title in the city, will face Great Britain, USA and Argentina – currently top of the SVNS Series standings – in Pool B.

Pool A includes France, winners of this month’s Los Angeles tournament, and the record 19-times Hong Kong Sevens champions Fiji. Their group also contains 2022 Hong Kong victors Australia, plus Canada.
The New Zealand women’s team meet France, in a repeat of a 2021 Olympic final won by the Kiwis, along with Brazil and Great Britain.
Australia, aiming for a first Hong Kong success since 2010, lead the women’s series standings. They are joined in Pool B by Ireland, South Africa and Olympic bronze medallists Fiji.
Robbie McRobbie, CEO of Hong Kong China Rugby, said: “The schedule announcement is a key milestone in our event preparation, and, with just four weeks to go, really ignites the tournament into life.”

The Hong Kong teams will play in the newly introduced Melrose Claymores competition, a lower-tier trophy for some of Asia’s best.
Coach Jevon Groves’ men’s team are up against Japan and China. The women, coached by Andy Vilk, tackle China and Hong Kong Sevens debutants Thailand.
Draw for Hong Kong Sevens 2024
Men’s competition
Pool A: France, Fiji, Australia, Canada.
Pool B: Great Britain, Argentina, USA, New Zealand.
Pool C: Ireland, Spain, Samoa, South Africa.
Women’s competition
Pool A: New Zealand, France, Brazil, Great Britain.
Pool B: Australia, South Africa, Ireland, Fiji.
Pool C: USA, Canada, Japan, Spain.


How ‘rubbish’ Olympic medal inspired New Zealand star Ruby Tui’s rush to greatness

Hong Kong Sevens proves to be in rude health on 50th anniversary

Hong Kong rugby legend Salom Yiu hunting next generation of local stars

Hong Kong given rugby 7s world series hope but told to up game for more elite chances

Hong Kong Sevens

Hong Kong Sevens 2024 draw: New Zealand’s defending champions handed tricky starts to stadium’s farewell

Both of the New Zealand teams, pictured on last year’s podium, learned their pool opponents on Friday. Photo: Elson Li

France, winners of the Los Angeles SVNS Series leg, are in a pool with Fiji, Canada and Australia. Photo: AFP

Australia’s women will aim to go one better in Hong Kong this year after finishing second in 2023. Photo: Sam Tsang

Hong Kong star Denmark hoping Dupont-factor helps ‘growing’ sevens share rugby spotlight with big brother 15s

Max Denmark and his Hong Kong teammates are in Uruguay for the next leg of the World Challenger Series. Photo: HKCRU

France’s Antoine Dupont runs with the ball during the 2024 HSBC Rugby Sevens Los Angeles tournament. Photo: AFP

Max Denmark takes part in a training session at King’s Park Sports Ground. Photo: Ike Images

Fiji sack coach Ben Gollings month before Hong Kong Sevens, with eye on chasing more Olympic gold in Paris

Ben Gollings, seen training with Fiji before the 2022 Hong Kong Sevens, will not be in charge for next month’s showcase. Photo: KLC fotos for World Rugby

Fiji, pictured in 2017, have lifted the title 19 times in Hong Kong, but have lost the past two finals. Photo: K.Y. Cheng

Hong Kong Sevens 2024: city’s women catch 3 flights in 30-hour trek to Uruguay ahead of home tournament

Hong Kong rugby players (from left) Agnes Chan Tsz-ching, Melody Li Nim-yan and Nam Ka-man. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

Julia Mba Oyana is one of two emerging players Nam Ka-man has taken under her wing. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

Andy Vilk (left, with men’s team head coach Paul John) started the mentoring a few weeks ago. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

Hong Kong Sevens almost sold out, officials say, as tournament prepares to bid farewell to city home

Fans at the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens at Hong Kong Stadium on April 1, 2023. Photo: Sam Tsang

Sport

Rugby

HK Sevens

Hong Kong Rugby Union

The Hong Kong tournament is closing in on being a sell-out, with 34,000 three-day passes sold
Draws serve up intriguing battles, with both Kiwi teams kicking off against Great Britain on opening day


Draws serve up intriguing battles, with both Kiwi teams kicking off against Great Britain on opening day.


Hong Kong China Rugby

Fiji

Samoa