Hong Kong Sevens 2018: Local teams greet the public before qualifiers

In advance of the World Rugby Men’s and Women’s Sevens Series Qualifiers, the national Hong Kong rugby sevens teams greeted the public at Lee Gardens on Mar. 24. Although the final rosters had not been set at that time, it was an opportunity for passers-by to meet Hong Kong Sevens veterans and newer team members on a sunny afternoon.

Hong Kong team captains Christy Cheng (left) and Ben Rimene flex their muscles for the cameras. (photo by Yuan-Kwan Chan / Meniscus Magazine)

The qualifying events hold significant meaning for the participating teams, as the winners of each competition move to the main draw of next season’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series (the teams that finishes in last place this season are relegated the following year). Cheng, a seven-time Hong Kong Sevens veteran, said that there is a lot of “new blood” on this year’s team, which has resulted in “new energy.” She alluded to the difficulty of the qualifying event given the quality of their opponents – their pool includes Brazil, which competed in the Rio 2016 rugby sevens debut for the Olympics – and that they will have to give “120 percent” in strength to make it to the second and final day.

https://youtu.be/XI8MJ7wSAZY

On the men’s side, captain Ben Rimene also referred to the average age of the team. “The squad’s a bit younger than it has been in the past, but I’ve got a bit of help with some old boys,” he said.

The women’s qualifier takes place from Apr. 5-6 at So Kon Po and Hong Kong Stadium, whereas the men will play from Apr. 6-8 at Hong Kong Stadium. The pre-Sevens selection team rosters follow below:

Hong Kong Women’s Sevens Expanded Squad: (names in bold were selected to the final squad on March 30)

Maggie AU YEUNG Sin-yee*, Abigail CHAN*, Agnes CHAN Tsz-Ching*, Stephanie CHAN*, Candy CHENG Tsz-ting, Christy CHENG Ka-chi, Jessica HO Wai-On*, Ivy KWONG Sau-yan, Melody LI Nim-yan, MAK Ho-yee*, NAM Ka-man, Natasha OLSON-THORNE, Vivian POON Hoi-yan*, POON Pak-yan, SHAM Wai-sum, Colleen TJOSVOLD, Amber TSANG*, Agnes TSE Wing-kiu

Hong Kong Men’s Sevens Expanded Squad: (names in bold were selected to the final squad on April 3)

Paul ALTIER*, Kane BOUCAUT*, Sebastian BRIEN*, Michael COVERDALE, Max DENMARK*, Toby FENN, Liam HERBERT*, Jamie HOOD, Jason JEYAM, Cado LEE Ka-to, Chris MAIZE, MAK Kwai-chung*, Alessandro NARDONI*, Jack NEVILLE*, Ben RIMENE, Russell WEBB*, Salom YIU Kam-shing