The pools have been drawn for the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens (5-7 April 2024) at the Hong Kong Stadium, the sixth of eight tournaments on the HSBC SVNS, and the full schedule has now been confirmed.
Robbie McRobbie, CEO of Hong Kong China Rugby, spoke in anticipation of an incredible weekend of rugby action, with the event on track to be a first sellout since the pandemic. He remarked, "The schedule announcement is a key milestone in our event preparation, and with just four weeks to go, really ignites the tournament into life. It allows fans to now build excitement for their most-anticipated on-field matchups and favourite entertainment acts.”
In the 12-team men’s competition, France, winners of the most recent tournament in Los Angeles, have the honour of leading Pool A alongside third-ranked Fiji, and fifth-placed holders Australia and Canada.
Team Great Britain tops Pool B with Series leaders Argentina, winners of all three tournaments (Cape Town, Perth and Vancouver) before Los Angeles, in the second seed. USA and New Zealand, in eighth and sixth spots on the HSBC SVNS table respectively, round out the Pool.
Pool C sees Ireland, currently second in the standings after finishing as runners-up in Perth and the USA, atop the pool with tenth-placed Spain, eleventh-ranked Samoa and seventh-ranked South Africa, who were winners of the Series opener in Dubai.
In the 12-team women’s competition, a taut battle between Australia and New Zealand is developing, with both sides claiming two cup wins to date. Australia won the two opening legs in Dubai and Cape Town, while New Zealand won the two most recent tournaments in Los Angeles and Vancouver. Ireland won the cup in Perth.
Only four points separate the two women’s leaders ahead of Hong Kong with Australia on 90 and New Zealand on 86. France is in third on 74. USA and Canada round out the top five as the action moves to Hong Kong.
New Zealand top Pool A ahead of France, Brazil and Team Great Britain. Australia head Pool B over South Africa, Ireland and Fiji, while fourth-placed USA head Pool C with Canada, Japan and Spain.
World Rugby Sevens General Manager, Sam Pinder said: “The Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens is always a highlight in the global rugby sevens calendar for players, teams and fans alike, and 2024 promises to be a year to remember. With the clock counting down until rugby sevens kicks off the Olympic Games in Paris, the action on the pitch will be hotter than ever with World Rugby’s revamped HSBC SVNS competition formula providing fans with even more excitement, jeopardy and entertainment than ever before.
“Today’s announcement of the match schedule means fans can now mark their calendars, prepare their costumes and get set for three days of exhilarating rugby sevens action as the best men’s and women’s teams in the world come to showcase their skills in front of the famous Hong Kong crowd.”
The Melrose Claymores competition introduced by Hong Kong China Rugby in 2024 will also feature across all three days of the tournament. China, Japan and hosts Hong Kong China will take part in the men’s competition, while China and Thailand join Hong Kong China in contesting the women’s competition. McRobbie added, “this year’s announcement holds extra significance as we introduce the Melrose Claymores competition. While this is a new tournament, it is also a nod to our long and proud history of showcasing the top teams in Asian sevens in Hong Kong.”
Recent Posts
- Blitzboks Open Campaign In Cape Town In Style Against Ireland
- Edinburgh Rugby Battled To Final Seconds In Torrid Conditions Against Gloucester Rugby
- Toyota Cheetahs Committed To EPCR Challenge Cup
- Bullish Bakkies Botha On The Super South African Toulon Love Affair
- Hollywoodbets Sharks’ Resurgence An EPCR Challenge Cup Success Story
- Brave Fightback From Dragons RFC Came Up Short Against Montpellier In EPCR Challenge Cup
- Stade Rochelais Hold On For Win In Investec Champions Cup Against Bath Rugby
- Seabelo Senatla Completed A Remarkable Comeback
- A Change To Tournament Format Will Make It More Difficult For HSBC Cape Town SVNS Title Hopefulls
- Johan Grobbelaar Will Lead the Vodacom Bulls Against Saracens
- Toyota Cheetahs Name Team To Face Perpignan
- Eben Etzebeth Back To Lead Hollywoodbets Sharks Against Exeter Chiefs
- Neethling Fouche Will Captain The DHL Stormers Against RC Toulon
- Nico Steyn To Captain Emirates Lions Against Ospreys
- U17 Elite Player Development Camp A Resounding Success