The HSBC World Sevens Series will return to Hong Kong this weekend for what will be an action-packed two days.
The biggest event on the Sevens World Series circuit takes place in Hong Kong this weekend. The small South East Asia country is famous for dishing out one of the most festive atmospheres in world sports and this year should be no different with the event selling out well before the kick-off date.
Fiji have dominated in Hong Kong over the past decade with the Islanders winning six of the last nine events.
Hong Kong Sevens
Hong Kong Stadium
Saturday 6 April – Sunday 7 April
Pools
Pool A: South Africa, Samoa, Scotland, and Japan
Pool B: France, Argentina, Canada, and Portugal
Pool C: Fiji, New Zealand, Australia, and Kenya
Pool D: USA, England, Wales, and Spain
To Win Tournament Outright
Fiji
United States
New Zealand
South Africa
England
Australia
Argentina
Contenders
Fiji
2018 Finish: Champions
The Flying Fijians will be looking to move right back into the World Sevens Series title race by claiming their fifth successive win out in Hong Kong. The Islanders really do have a love affair with Hong Kong having won seven of the last 10 events held in the country.
A tournament victory would put the Fijians right back in the hunt for the World Series title – they currently occupy third-place on the standings and trail the leaders, the United States, by 12 points. They head into this one in decent touch, having claimed third place in the last World Series event, the Vancouver Sevens.
Player to Watch: Jerry Tuwai
The little magician loves a Hong Kong tournament and was in magnificent form at the Hong Kong Stadium last year powering his side to a fourth successive Hong Kong title. He will once again be the key man for the Fijians.
New Zealand
2018 Finish: Fourth
The Kiwi’s will be looking to claim their third event win of the campaign when they turn out in Hong Kong this weekend. While the New Zealander’s have enjoyed a solid season, they were slightly off the boil in Canada where they could only muster up a fifth-place finish.
Hong Kong has been a somewhat happy hunting ground for the men in black who have only won three of the last 11 tournaments staged there. Their most recent victory at the Hong Kong Stadium came back in 2014, and they have made three of the last five finals.
Player to Watch: Andrew Knewstubb
The 23-year-old currently sits second on the Series points scoring charts and has enjoyed a wonderful year with the boot. His goal kicking has been class and he’s also managed to bag 13 tries.
South Africa
2018 Finish: Third
The Blitzbok’s will be looking to build on their first event win of the Series which came out in Vancouver. It’s been a lean old year for the reigning Series champions who currently sit in fourth place on the World Series standings – 24 points off the United States.
The South African’s have a horrid history in Hong Kong and have never won a tournament in the Asian country. They did manage a second place finish at the 2017 event, but will need to claim first place here if they are to keep their slim hopes of retaining their World Series title alive.
Player to Watch: Siviwe ‘Shakes’ Soyizwapi
The Dale College old boy has stepped out of the lofty shadow of Seabelo Senatla this season and has become the Blitzboks main attacking weapon as his try haul of 21 attests to. He will need to be at his clinical best this weekend if the South African’s are to end their long-standing barren run in Hong Kong.
Dark Horse
United States
2018 Finish: Sixth
It seems absurd to have the current World Series leaders listed as underdogs for this one but they have an extremely poor record out in Hong Kong.
Like South Africa, the United States have never won a tournament in Hong Kong. They have also failed to record a Bowl or Plate win and finished last year’s event in sixth place.
They have been in good form this year, however, and have been an ever-present force when it comes to semi-finals rugby during the 2018/19 season.
Verdict: Fiji
My money is on history repeating itself here and the Fijian’s claiming their fifth successive Hong Kong title.
