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Rugby Sevens in Hong Kong is the islands’ most popular event. Having recently moved to Hong Kong, this was a great opportunity for me to go witness the glitz and glamour that the Hong Kong Sevens promises to showcase.
Sponsored long lunches and ex-rugby players were plentiful in Hong Kong in the week leading up to the main event. However, watching three days of Rugby Sevens and being seated in the notorious ‘south stand’ for two of them, I was left with a resounding question: has the game of rugby been the winner here?
What is the real reason for the tournament’s popularity in Hong Kong?
Australia managed to win the Plate finals by beating South Africa, which meant a fifth position. The main title went to Samoa, who played New Zealand in the finals.
Overall, IRB sevens ranking is a bit of a mixed bag, with Australia ranked fourth, behind Fiji.
This is the nature of the Rugby Sevens, and some may say, the reason for its popularity, where other top rugby nations such as South Africa are ranked sixth, only two points ahead of a spirited Kenya.
Sevens is a very different game and the traditional rugby fan might even scoff at its simplicity. Perhaps one can compare it to the same niche as Twenty20 cricket, intended to arouse enough interest so that the full version is adapted.
However, most of the Seven’s tournaments on the IRB circuit are based on two main conditions: dress-ups and copious amounts of beer consumption.
The Hong Kong Sevens was nothing different. It was a massive party that rolled into town with punters flying in from all over the globe. How many of them were actually watching the rugby and following the scores was debatable.
In fact, a most apt quote was mentioned: “if you get bored of the party in the stands, you can turn around and watch the rugby.”
At the end of it all, I couldn’t help but wonder if IRB and the organisers achieved the real aim of an exhibition event or was it the beer sponsors and costume makers that came out on top?
The quality of rugby was worthwhile only during the later half of the final day. Rugby Sevens is now an Olympic sport and perhaps its popularity is justified.
But I shall be holding on to my vote for now.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.