There will be additional prestige on offer when 16 of the world’s leading nations gather in Hong Kong to contest Round 6 of the HSBC Sevens World Series.
This weekend will be the 40th Hong Kong Sevens, as New Zealand look to overhaul arch rivals and World Series leaders South Africa at the top of the standings.
Scott Hastings, one of the many legends in attendance in Hong Kong this weekend, spoke to the significance of winning at the iconic stadium.
“Hong Kong is a fantastic tournament, the Mecca of Sevens, and so many world renowned players came to prominence playing for their teams here in Hong Kong,” Hastings said.
For teams like South Africa, New Zealand and Fiji there as the additional significance of World Series points.
The Blitzbokke lead the World Series with 93 points, including 2 tournaments wins, from the 1st 5 Rounds. New Zealand (1 win, 88 points) and Fiji (2 wins, 86 points) are hot on their heels.
Of course there is also the race for a Top-4 finish – and automatic qualification for the 2016 Olympics – where teams like Australia (71), England (68), Argentina (54) and the United States (51) are in the running.
The Springbok Sevens team said they are determined to deliver a much improved performance, which will be good enough to win a 1st Hong Kong title.
After several near misses, South Africa are still searching for that elusive 1st Cup win at the famous tournament.
However, the Blitzbokke – Springbok Sevens are fully aware they will have to lift their game if they want to succeed in Hong Kong.
After 2 displays in Dubai and Port Elizabeth, which resulted in 2 successive World Series tournament wins, the team admitted they went somewhat off the boil in Wellington and Las Vegas where they won bronze on both occasions.
South Africa are top seeds in Pool C and they open their group fixtures on Friday in a tricky match against a much improved Argentine side. On Saturday they tackle Japan and then France in their last pools match.
Neil Powell, the Blitzbokke coach said his team has made some tactical adjustments for Hong Kong.
“We probably over-committed at the rucks in our 2 previous tournaments and that left us with a bit more space to cover,” Powell said.
“All the guys have bought into our adjustments and we are looking forward to give it a big challenge in Hong Kong.”
He added the team is determined to capture their 1st ever Hong Kong Sevens title.
“We cannot ignore the fact that we have never won here before. It is a massive challenge because this is a tough competition, but the guys are up for it and we will give it our best shot,” vowed Powell.
Springbok Sevens captain Kyle Brown said he and his teammates are very motivated to do well in Hong Kong.
“We came back refreshed and full of energy after we had some extra time off following the previous 2 rounds. It was great to see the guys in a good mental space and training with smiles on their faces. Now we must implement our game strategy, play to our potential and deliver the goods,” said Brown.
New Zealand Sevens captain DJ Forbes said they are confident of overhauling their arch-rivals, South Africa.
“It goes without saying we are here to win,” Forbes said.
“Everyone knows it is the one everyone tries to target so it is one of the hardest, there is the prestige in terms of the venue but hopefully the boys can get up.
“There has been more hype and more media and with 40 years history it’s probably the only tournament that has held its place in the Series,” added Forbes.
“It is one of my favourite places to play, we all know Hong Kong is the World Cup of the World Series, it is massive.”
The Top 3 in the World Series standings appear to have got away from the chasing pack and by doing so look favourites to claim 3 of the 4 spots in the Olympics available from the series.
But any of those 3 could lift the Series title this season, with Fiji and South Africa looking for their 2nd and New Zealand their 13th, and this weekend’s tournament in Hong Kong could prove decisive in the race for the title.
“You don’t want to get caught up in the Olympic qualification, because it is still a long way away but we all know if you want to have half a chance of playing in Rio this is the easiest way to get in there,” explained Forbes.
“If we can break away from the pack it will take a lot of pressure going into the last tournaments, but there are still 4 to go and lots of points up for grabs so 1st things 1st here in Hong Kong and trying to get our World Series back on track.”
Fiji have a rich history in Hong Kong, and this weekend they will be looking to win a 3rd title in 4 years at the famous Hong Kong Stadium in So Kon Po.
Ben Ryan’s side head into the tournament off the back of a victory in Las Vegas.
Another win at the historic 40th Hong Kong Sevens will put them closer in the race for the series title.
“After disappointing in Wellington in the quarterfinals we were under some pressure to bounce back well and perform,” said Ryan at the launch of the Hong Kong Sevens.
“We got that nicely by winning in Las Vegas and we were also able to give some valuable game time to some of the wider squad members especially with Osea breaking his hand. It has been a short but intense period since Las Vegas.”
Ryan, who also coached England in Hong Kong, has 5 players in his squad that competed last year which will prove beneficial as he is aware of all the added pressure that comes with the Hong Kong tournament in Fiji.
“It is different and the same in that there is huge support for both England and Fiji in the stadium but it is different in that in England unless you’re a big rugby fan you don’t know Hong Kong is on, whereas in Fiji the whole population know and have been building up to it for 3 or 4 weeks,” added Ryan, who also led Fiji to the title in the opening round on Australia’s Gold Coast last October.
“All of the islands and the country will grind to a standstill, down tools and be watching. Hong Kong is a special place in the heart and it’s the Wimbledon of Sevens for Fijians.
“The boys are used to this pressure as it happens on a daily basis. They are celebrities back home and everyone recognises them, they are front and back page news, especially around Hong Kong, and that does put pressure on them.
“For the young guys some of that pressure doesn’t always fit and they do have their ups and downs but it does mean when you get to big tournaments even if they have not played in 50 000-seater stadiums the pressure won’t get to them and it will probably bring out the best of them which we have seen historically with Fiji teams.”
Pools:
- Pool A: Fiji, Canada, Samoa, Belgium
- Pool B: New Zealand, Australia, Scotland, Portugal
- Pool C: South Africa, France, Argentina, Japan
- Pool D: United States, England, Kenya, Wales
Schedule:
Friday 27 March:
- England vs Wales – 12:10 SA Time
- France vs Japan – 12:32 SA Time
- Australia vs Portugal – 12:54 SA Time
- Canada vs Belgium – 13:16 SA Time
- United States vs Kenya – 13:38 SA Time
- South Africa vs Argentina – 14:00 SA Time
- New Zealand vs Scotland – 14:22 SA Time
- Fiji vs Samoa – 14:44 SA Time
Saturday 28 March:
- England vs Kenya – 05:12 SA Time
- United States vs Wales – 05:34 SA Time
- France vs Argentina – 05:56 SA Time
- South Africa vs Japan – 06:18 SA Time
- Australia vs Scotland – 06:40 SA Time
- New Zealand vs Portugal – 07:02 SA Time
- Canada vs Samoa – 07:24 SA Time
- Fiji vs Belgium – 07:46 SA Time
- Kenya vs Wales – 09:14 SA Time
- Argentina vs Japan – 09:36 SA Time
- Scotland vs Portugal -09:58 SA Time
- Samoa vs Belgium – 10:20 SA Time
- United States vs England – 10:42 SA Time
- South Africas v France – 11:04 SA Time
- New Zealand vs Australia – 11:26 SA Time
- Fiji vs Canada – 11:48 SA Time