- Hong Kong confirmed as the wild card entry for HSBC Singapore Sevens
- Former Wales 7s captain Jevon Groves takes over as interim Hong Kong 7s coach
- Hong Kong is currently training with Olympic champions Fiji in preparation for tough assignments ahead
SINGAPORE – The 2017 HSBC Singapore Rugby Sevens will see the participation of two top Asian sides as Hong Kong is confirmed as the wild card team. In Singapore, Hong Kong will line up alongside 15 other ‘core’ teams, including their arch rivals Japan.
Hong Kong narrowly missed out on qualifying for last August’s Rio Olympics, after losing to Japan in the the Asia Rugby Olympics Sevens qualifiers, and also fell short in the final repechage event in Monaco. Earlier in April, Japan was their nemesis once more as they lost in the final of the World Sevens Series qualifier. Since then, Hong Kong has bounced back from their triple disappointment by sweeping through the autumn Asia Rugby Sevens Series, winning three tournaments in Hong Kong, Seoul and Colombo.
Finishing on top of the 2016 Asia Rugby Sevens Series means that Hong Kong are in the mix to be a core team in the 2018-2019 HSBC World Sevens Series during the World Sevens Series Qualifier at April’s HSBC Hong Kong Sevens (7-9 April). It also earned them a ‘wild card’ to the 16-team HSBC Singapore Rugby Sevens (15-16 April).
Looking forward to the Singapore Sevens is Hong Kong’s elite men 7s coach Jevon Groves who was in the Wales 7s squad that played in Singapore last April. Last September, Groves joined Hong Kong as assistant coach under countryman Gareth Bader last year, but is now in charge after Bader left in January 2017 to replace Ben Ryan as head coach of reigning HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series champion Fiji.
“The Hong Kong team has bounced back from the disappointment of missing out on the Olympics and performed really well in the Asia Rugby Sevens series, winning all three tournaments,” said Groves, 28, who played in over 30 World Sevens Series events and two Commonwealth Games. “It was my first major tournament as part of the coaching team and I am glad we won the overall series. Hong Kong has had a few disappointments against Japan in recent finals but we have learnt a lot from those games. We are in a better place now and demonstrated during the Asia Rugby Sevens Series that we can handle pressure.”
Equally excited about the participation of Hong Kong in the 2017 HSBC Singapore Sevens is World Rugby Chairman and former England captain Bill Beaumont.
“While the Hong Kong Sevens has been one of the highlights of the season for many years, it is great that Singapore is establishing itself on the calendar too,” said Beaumont. “There’s no doubt that Japan is the leading rugby nation in Asia at the moment but it’s great to see the likes of Hong Kong and other nations working hard to close that gap. That all bodes well as we look forward to Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan, which will be the first time the game’s flagship tournament will be held in Asia.”
Hong Kong currently in Fiji for intensive training
The 15-man Hong Kong squad are reunited with their former coach Gareth Bader in Fiji this week as they undergo an intensive training camp alongside Olympic champions Fiji.
“We had a live training session with the Fijian team on Monday which was very tough but will be beneficial for our boys going into the tournament this weekend,” said Groves, speaking from Fiji. “The Coral Coast Sevens in Sigatoka this weekend features many tough local Fijian sides and a strong field of international invitational teams. I’m looking for performances rather than results this week and being able to play in a tough Fijian competition will benefit our preparation for the tough assignments ahead.”
Following the Coral Coast Sevens, Hong Kong will also take part in the Borneo Sevens before the crucial 12-teams HSBC World Sevens Series qualifier in Hong Kong followed by the Singapore Sevens.
“Qualifying for the HSBC World Sevens Series is really important as it will dictate the level in which we will be playing in the next 2 years which are important seasons in the lead-up to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics,” explained Groves. “We will need to be pragmatic and play smart to get into the final. Hong Kong, Spain, Germany and Uganda are four teams equally capable of winning the World Sevens Series Qualifier. Whoever performs on the day will win it.”
According to Groves, other than Tom McQueen who remains on the injured list, Hong Kong’s preparations are right on track as it has talismanic captain Max Woodward back from injury, while the likes of Ben Rimene and Lee Jones had impressed in the recent Asia Rugby Sevens Series.
“While it's a massive weekend for the Hong Kong team during the Sevens Series Qualifier, the boys will also look forward to playing in a World Sevens Series event like the Singapore Sevens,” said the Welshman. “Playing in Singapore after the Hong Kong Sevens will be no easy task for all teams. It was a great occasion last year as Kenya winning the Cup final had sent out a message to lesser teams that it is possible to go try and win a tournament.”
Hong Kong rugby supporters can expect a family-friendly event in Singapore, but tickets are going fast
Hong Kong rugby supporters heading to Singapore can book two-day season passes at S$150 (Category One) or take a family package (admitting two adults and two children) priced at an affordable S$320. The Singapore National Stadium, with its iconic free-spanning dome, promises non-stop rugby action, rain or shine, while its unique concourse area allows fans to mingle freely without missing any on-field action.
Unlike other World Sevens Series stadia, the FunZone conveniently located along the Stadium’s covered promenade within easy walking distance from spectator seats. Parents can also opt to leave their young ones at the Kids Drop-Off Zone, where professional childminders will keep kids happily engaged.
Fans who prefer exclusivity can go for the Sevens VIP Club experience priced at S$1,600, and includes a two-day season pass, back-of-house tour, chance to meet legends, VIP premium padded seat, concierge service, access to private hospitality lounges with fantastic all-day food & beverage service. All prices include GST and exclude booking fees. For more ticketing options, please visit www.singapore7s.sg
