Hong Kong’s team to become a core team in the annual HSBC
Sevens World Series starts on home soil in March at the bigger and better Hong
Kong Sevens, where the hosts will be in the company of the big boys. The Hong
Kong Rugby Football Union yesterday announced the 28 teams that will
participate in the Cathay Hong Kong Sevens from March 22-24 and Asian champions
Hong Kong were confirmed as taking part in the 16-team core competition. Fans
look forward to hosting the biggest and best Hong Kong Sevens this year. The
decision to host the pre-qualification tournament alongside the HSBC Sevens
World Series competition continues to reinforce Hong Kong’s unique role as the
host of the world’s largest and most international rugby sevens competition.
Asian Sevens Series
earned Hong Kong the right to direct qualification for the London Sevens when
the qualifying tournament to unearth next season’s three new core teams takes
place. As such, Hong Kong will join the existing 15 core teams in the main
event at the Hong Kong Sevens, the sixth leg of the World Series. The remaining
12 teams will take part in a pre-qualification tournament with the top four
teams from this competition joining Hong Kong, and the three bottom-placed
teams from this season in an eight-team competition at the London Sevens in May
to decide promotion to the next year Series. The 16 teams participating in the
core competition are Argentina, Australia, Canada, England, Fiji, France,
Kenya, New Zealand, Portugal, Samoa, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, United
States, Wales and Hong Kong. bReinforcing Hong Kong’s
unique position as the largest and most international HSBC Sevens World Series
event, the remaining 12 competing teams in the pre-qualification tournament
hail from all over the world with two teams from each of the International Rugby
Board’s geographic regions.
Hong Kong Sevens continues its role as the showcase
event for Asian rugby with the region’s second and third-ranked sevens teams,
Japan and Taiwan, rounding out the regional participants. Two additional teams
from South America will be decided after regional competitions in late February
to complete the 12-team field. The Hong Kong Sevens
will be the first major international competition for the national squad which
was captained last season by Rowan Varty. While the London Sevens will be the
crucial event, Hong Kong has also qualified for the Rugby World Cup Sevens in
Moscow at the end of June. The draw for the Hong Kong Sevens will take place on
February 21 after the completion of the USA Sevens in Los Angeles. After three
legs of the World Series, New Zealand is top of the standings with 60 points
followed by France (46) Fiji (44) and South Africa (41). 2013 Hong Kong Sevens started from 22 March
2013 at Hong Kong Stadium. Buy Hong Kong Sevens 2013 Tickets online at
HKS7T. It will again be hosted by its long-time home Ground Hong Kong Stadium. Address: SUITE ONE 9COOPERAGE LANE GIBRALTAR
Phone: 0035020060065