March dates may change if Hong Kong secures last leg
HKRFU says mid-April date is likely if city wins right to host season-ending World Series tournament
The Hong Kong Sevens will have to be pushed back a fortnight to mid-April in 2016 if the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union's ambition to become the climactic final leg of the IRB Sevens World Series is to be realised.
"We might have to play our tournament a few weeks later, in mid-April, if our bid to become the final leg in the World Series is to materialise," said Trevor Gregory, HKRFU chairman.
"Our preferred dates are between mid-March and mid-April and we have informed the IRB.
Discussions took place in a spirit of co-operation. No one is trying to force others to jump off a cliff
"We have to be flexible, otherwise there is no chance we can be the final leg if we stick to the event in March. Mid-April is the furthest we can push it back, otherwise it will be too hot to play."
That could all change once the new Kai Tak Stadium, with its retractable roof and temperature regulated environment, comes on board in 2019 or 2020.
The HKRFU made known its wish to be the final leg at yesterday's meeting between the International Rugby Board and all its existing stakeholders in the World Series at Hong Kong Football Club.
The existing World Series cycle will end next season and the IRB is re-evaluating the format. A record 25 countries have expressed interest in hosting a leg of the World Series when the new cycle begins around mid-2015. Hong Kong want to be the "jewel in the crown" and host the final leg in April 2016.