Hong Kong SVNS - Round Five

PREVIEW: The highly anticipated HSBC Hong Kong Sevens is set to mark the beginning of a new era at the impressive new Kai Tak Stadium from March 28-30.

The fifth round of HSBC SVNS will see the world’s top 12 men’s and women’s teams battling it out in front of an expected record crowd of more than 120,000 fans, as they compete for glory and vital points in the SVNS standings as the competition heats up with just two regular season rounds remaining.

In the women’s pools, Olympic Champions New Zealand are in Pool A against Brazil, China and the USA.

Pool B will see Fiji up against France, Great Britain and Ireland. Australia face Canada, Japan and Spain in Pool D.

HSBC Vancouver SVNS men’s winners Argentina are drawn against Fiji, Ireland and USA in Pool A.

South Africa will encounter Australia, New Zealand and Uruguay in Pool B. Pool C will see Spain meet France, Great Britain and Kenya.

The captains of the 24 teams had their first opportunity to experience the new stadium as they gathered on the pitch on Wednesday, with many expressing their excitement at playing in the state-of-the-art new venue.

New Zealand women’s captain Sarah Hirini said: “For us, Hong Kong is the home of sevens, and this is one of the biggest tournaments that we get to play in, so we can’t wait to see the south stand rocking this weekend.

“It feels pretty surreal to be here, and we’re especially proud to be the first to play here.

“The pitch looks awesome, and I’m sure it’s going to be pretty fast and that the roof can be closed is incredible.

“The season is going well, but we want to continue to get better, and the more that we have fun I think we’re going to do even better this weekend.”

Spain men’s captain Pol Pla, who will play in his fiftieth Series event, said: “Hong Kong is special, and I’m happy to be here for my fiftieth tournament in this amazing new stadium.

“As players, we can feel the energy from the stadium and the South Stand crowd, and we love it.

“I’m very proud to be the first Spanish men’s player to reach 50 tournaments.

“We are currently second in the rankings, and this weekend, we will go to win the tournament. We can do it, why not?”

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New Zealand women and Argentina men lead the current SVNS standings after four rounds, and it is all to play for as only the top eight teams at the end of the sixth round in Singapore next weekend will qualify for the HSBC SVNS World Championship in Los Angeles on May 3-4.

Only four points separate the top four men’s teams with Spain, Fiji and South Africa hot on Argentina’s heels.

Meanwhile, New Zealand hold a six-point lead over rivals Australia in the women’s standings going into the Hong Kong event.

The HSBC Hong Kong Sevens has long been one of the marquee events in the global rugby calendar, synonymous with high-energy action and unforgettable moments.

Some of world rugby’s biggest names have played at the Hong Kong Sevens, including Jonah Lomu, Christian Cullen, Waisale Serevi, David Campese and Portia Woodman.

Schedule

(Kick-off is local time – GMT plus eight hours)

Men

Friday, March 28

Great Britain v France (11.16)
Spain v Kenya (11.39)
Fiji v USA (12.48)
Argentina v Ireland (13.11)
Great Britain v Kenya (14.23)
Spain v France (14.49)
Fiji v Ireland (15.58)
Argentina v USA (16.21)
New Zealand v Australia (17.30)
South Africa v Uruguay (17.56)
New Zealand v Uruguay (20.16)
South Africa v Australia (20.39)

Saturday, March 28

France v Kenya (10.16)
Spain v Great Britain (10.39)
USA v Ireland (11.48)
Argentina v Fiji (12.11)
Australia v Uruguay (13.20)
South Africa v New Zealand (13.43)

Women

Friday, March 28

Japan v Canada (10.30)
Australia v Spain (10.53)
Great Britain v France (12.02)
Fiji v Ireland (12.25)
Japan v Spain (13.34)
Australia v Canada (13.57)
Great Britain v Ireland (15.12)
Fiji v France (15.35)
Brazil v USA (16.44)
New Zealand v China (17.07)
Brazil v China (19.30)
New Zealand v USA (19.53)

Saturday, March 28

Canada v Spain (09.30)
Australia v Japan (09.53)
France v Ireland (11.02)
Fiji v Great Britain (11.25)
USA v China (12.34)
New Zealand v Brazil (12.57)

With additional reporting by HSBC SVNS

Picture credit @HSBC SVNS