History will be made this week when women play at the famous Hong Kong Sevens tournament for the first time.
The men’s team played there in November so this season the men play in Hong Kong twice.
The Hong Kong sevens is where it all started for rugby sevens. For some, this is the number one sevens tournament. It started way back in 1976 with 12 teams, so is the founding father of sevens, to where it is now an Olympic sport.
While the Australian men took out the HK7s in November, it is traditionally Fiji’s tournament having taken it out 19 times.
New Zealand have had dominance over Australia, (and every other team), in the last four tournaments.
The Australian women are in a pretty feisty pool with Fiji, Ireland and Brazil. While the Fijiana have dropped off a bit they still bring a physical approach which often throws the Aussie women off their game. In simple terms, if the Fijiana get a lot of possession then the Aussie women get into a bit of strife as they do not usually have the physical defence dominance to win back the ball. On the flip side you have Ireland who are really highly skilled scrappers. Not sure if Ireland has previously beaten Australia but they never give up and have provided Australia with some tough matches.
It will be interesting to see what squad is selected and what the starting lineup will be. In the last tournament neither Sharni Williams or Demi Hayes played so they juggled things around and started Teagan Levi and used Lily Dick off the bench. It seemed to work very well. Another Kiwi and Australia final will be expected. No doubt both teams will be keen to be the inaugural women’s winners of the Hong Kong sevens.
As for the men it is a very, very different story. Every game and every tournament are critical. The Australian men always have a tough pool, mainly because the men’s Sevens Series is so highly competitive. But to be honest their pool with USA, Spain and Japan is probably a less tough pool that they have had in recent times.
This tournament is again vital to the Aussie men if they want to finish at season end in the top four to automatically qualify for the Paris Olympics. (Currently they are fifth in the standings.) Including this Hong Kong tournament there are four tournaments to go. A lot can and no doubt will occur between now and the final May tournament in London.
There is a core group of experienced players but recent standouts have been Henry Lawson and new young gun Darcy Lancaster. Hopefully captain Nick Malouf can return soon from injury as well as James Turner to add some much-needed pace.
It is pretty simple, the Aussie men have minimal options, just have to keep winning, getting into quarter finals, semi-finals and finals.
It all starts on Friday.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Just a tad off topic Hugh, I have just seen where the very good AB7's play maker Joe Webber will be out for the rest of the World Series, four remaining tournaments. He has been released from his contract to attend Waikato University to have his speaking of Te Reo upgraded for his standing within his whanau, which is a very good outlook. So obviously, he will be missed in HK, & the preceding tournaments.
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
And in good news for the men's team Nick Malouf is back.
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
Muzzo, it is on the to do, just have not been able to match up the timings, but will. One of my sons is keen also, one of his mates plays for the HK 15s side.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Yeh Tim pity Stan, is not on the ball in their coverage of the tournament, as Iv'e made enquiries a few times, but got nothing positive back in return.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
TBH Iv'e asked Stan, a few times, why that's not happening, but as yet Iv'e yet to have a positive response.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Good read on the World Series Seven's premier event Hugh, in HK. It really is what they refer to as the premier event, having enjoyed it myself quite a few times, & then venturing out after, to other parts of SE Asia. A couple of times after, we went onto Singapore which back then was held the following weekend. As most know, with the known troubles that were in HK, plus the pandemic, in recent years, has been the main cause of a stoppage on the tournament. TBH there was always 28 nations competing in HK, the 16 core teams plus 12 qualifiers, so now with the womens teams coming in, no doubt that format will change. Be very interesting to see what happens. We intend going back, in possibly another couple of years time, as IMO, I would like to see, not only how everything has settled down, but the overall format, of how the new tournament is played out. TBH Hugh, HK is a great venue, not only in the stadium, but in many parts of the city. Wanchai is the party suburb with all it's bars clubs etc , but even in Causeway Bay it's pretty good as well. A memorial moment was having a beer or two with both Tana Umaga & Radike Samo, back before Tana was the Blues SR coach. They were there for the 12's tournament, coached by Tana, who was coaching the international Baabaa's team, who actually won that tournament, pre the start of the Seven's. Yes great venue, Hugh, & I highly recommend it.
The Late News
Roar Rookie
I bet!
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
Some terrific tries there. HK7s on my bucket list. My father attended a few times in the very early days, pretty sure in a box stored away are some of the plastic beer cups he brought back.
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
It’s on the To Do list
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
Have to keep the flag waving for those niche corners of Oz rugby
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
There is one Roar poster who reminds me with every reference to 7s that Hong Kong is the only real premier tournament. Rugby AU doesn’t seem to be good at marketing or just have a different strategy. They do very little to promote or profile the players especially ones like the women 7s, which I just don’t understand.
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
Only streamed to certain regions if there isn’t any broadcast in place. Post game some of the games are on YouTube
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
It is a pity it’s not on Stan, no doubt a cost issue combated how many new subscribers they will get. A number of the games can be found on YouTube post game
mzilikazi
Roar Pro
Ah yes, Melrose, and those Borders' s Sevens in the springtime. True home of Sevens, JD, good call.
mzilikazi
Roar Pro
Thanks for the article, Hugh. Really always look forward to this one. There have been some epic games in HK. I recall one try by Fiji where a rubbish pass at ground level from a lineout was flicked between the catchers legs and a wild looking bearded winger steamed length of the field. Can't find that one, but these all great: https://www.google.com/search?q=classic+hong+kong+sevens+trys&oq=classic+hong+kong+sevens+trys&aqs=chrome..69i57.21691j0j1&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:c31ab1d5,vid:Ip2nJqpgbnU
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Cheers Hugh. I have been to the 7s in HK a few times and it's truly awesome.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Thank you Hugh, thank you for the update and keeping 7s alive on the Roar… :thumbup: :rugby:
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
Nice write up mate and I think you’ve nailed the main issues. The men’s team needs to catch a couple of breaks and start getting some wins. Too many fall off in the big. Games at the moment
Mungbean74
Roar Rookie
It is streamed for free though isn’t it on the World rugby HSBC site isn’t it? My daughter loves watching the Aussie women!
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
The Melrose 7s wants a word Hugh :laughing: Thanks as always for keeping 7s on the radar. You'd have thought that RA would be keener to promote the format that Australia are actually very good at.