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South China Morning Post

Today News

16

Singapore Sevens: Australia ‘firing’ to stay on track for decider with New Zealand in ‘phenomenal’ women’s event

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The 2016 Olympic gold medallist Alicia Lucas hails first women’s sevens event in Singapore, and revels in rampant Aussie displays, while legend Bryan Habana praises ‘superstar skill and athleticism’.

Friday, May 3

17

HSBC SVNS Singapore: Great Britain risk sevens series survival clash with Hong Kong after mixed opening day, Michael Hooper off mark for Aussies

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Great Britain staring at prospect of world series relegation playoff following unfavourable sequence of results in Singapore, while Aussie 15s legend Michael Hooper opens sevens try account in Canada victory.

Thursday, May 2

12

Singapore Sevens: resurgent Ireland banishing ‘impostor syndrome’, says bullish legend Brian O’Driscoll

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Ireland are piecing together a formidable HSBC SVNS Series campaign after shedding ‘impostor syndrome’ over five years on elite circuit, said legend Brian O’Driscoll.

Monday, Apr 29

03

Hong Kong rugby scouring globe to increase player pool, planning to launch domestic sevens competition

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Rugby bosses seeking out next generation of stars as drubbing in Australia highlights need for larger player pool, while elite coach Paul John wants to see ‘as many sevens tournaments as possible’ played domestically.

Saturday, Apr 27

08

How depression turned Kenyan rugby sevens star Dennis Ombachi into a TikTok cooking sensation known as ‘The Roaming Chef’

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A bad injury forced him to retire from rugby, giving rise to depression, but inspired by the food and cooking videos, he became a chef and made hit videos.

03

Veteran Tyla King’s ominous warning to Singapore Sevens opponents: New Zealand have yet to reach their full potential

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New Zealand top the table from Australia after three straight tournament wins, but a loss to France was a timely reminder that there are still flaws.

Sunday, Apr 21

12

Paris Olympics: Hong Kong’s men face Spain in last-chance sevens qualifier, while Uganda among women’s pool matches

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Draw for World Rugby Sevens Repechage tournament in Monaco pits men in Pool C alongside Spain, Papua New Guinea and Brazil, with women in Pool B alongside Uganda, Paraguay and Jamaica.

Saturday, Apr 13

15

Fat Boy 10s: Hong Kong Scottish take top honours but rugby and charities the winners

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Tournament holds its third edition in the city, as proceeds go to medical missions in the Philippines, and grass-roots rugby programmes in the Philippines, Laos and Hong Kong.

Friday, Apr 12

02

‘Rugby is changing lives in Asia,’ says maker of documentary inspired by visit to China

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Hamish Kenny says his documentary tells how the sport is growing across the continent and helping communities.

Wednesday, Apr 10

15

Hong Kong Sevens showed how rugby ‘empowers women like no other sport’, ex-USA skipper Abby Gustaitis says

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Seeing USA play on same stage as men in Hong Kong was ‘cool’, while Olympic inclusion has made the 2028 LA Games a major draw for teenage girls, Abby Gustaitis says.

Monday, Apr 8

13

Hong Kong Sevens: every game a blessing for Brazil star Kochhann after breast cancer battle

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Raquel Kochhann only returned to the sport in January after almost two years out, and takes inspiration from every moment on the field.

12

Hong Kong Sevens 2024: World Rugby chief Alan Gilpin says ‘more work to do’ before move to Kai Tak in 2025 is confirmed

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CEO Alan Gilpin says there is ‘a lot of confidence’ in talks about the move in 2025 for the tournament, which is ‘definitely back’.

03

Hong Kong Sevens 2024: Yiu pleased to prove point for Chinese players, as successor Fong scores twice in final win

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Salom Yiu retired again on Sunday, and claimed this time he meant it, after Hong Kong’s men beat Japan to win the Melrose Claymore competition.

Sunday, Apr 7

18

Hong Kong Sevens ends with a bang as Kiwis seal back-to-back wins, and World Rugby chief hails ‘jewel in sport’s crown’

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More than 100,000 people pass through venue’s gates over the course of three days, while city’s leader highlights economic benefits and World Rugby boss praises ‘amazing week’.

Hong Kong Sevens: Ireland aiming to ‘inspire people at home’, as season’s surprise packages claim third

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Men in green close gap behind series leaders Argentina with one regular leg remaining, and target Olympic glory.

Hong Kong Sevens 2024: New Zealand peak just as they planned, to retain the title ‘we singled out’

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‘We earmarked this competition really early in the season,’ Scott Curry says, adding that Hong Kong was an event ‘where we wanted to peak’.

16

Hong Kong Sevens: New Zealand hat-trick star Blyde hails ‘really special’ win, as Black Ferns grab back-to-back titles

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Defending champions cruise past USA 36-7 to win for second year running at Hong Kong Stadium.

13

Hong Kong Sevens: Great Britain women beat Brazil to widen gap to world SVNS series relegation zone by another point

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Going into Hong Kong, Great Britain were one point outside the relegation zone, but a playoff win over Brazil gives them some breathing space.

05

Hong Kong Sevens: New Zealand’s men and women do double, again; Hong Kong’s men win Melrose final - day 3, as it happened

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Ferns storm to title in emphatic fashion, beating USA 36-7. All Blacks to take on France in men’s final. Hong Kong’s men win 22-10 to claim Melrose Claymore title, but women come up short against China.

03

Hong Kong Sevens: city’s men leave fate in hands of China and Japan, as women breeze past Thailand

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Two late tries send Hong Kong’s men to 33-14 defeat against Japan, although sides could still meet in Sunday’s final. Micayla Baltazar scores brace as city’s women beat Thailand 28-10.

Saturday, Apr 6

19

Hong Kong Sevens: France leaning on Antoine Dupont’s influence in glory bid, ‘pressure on us to keep winning’

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Les Bleus and Ireland prepare for a well poised semi-final clash on Sunday, with France chasing successive sevens series titles and the Irish a first ever tournament crown.

17

Hong Kong Sevens: familiar foes meet earlier than expected as New Zealand and Australia prepare for semi-final clash

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Black Ferns’ surprise defeat to France in pool stage brings last year’s finalists together game earlier than expected.

Hong Kong Sevens 2024: schedule, results, TV info, tickets – all you need to know on day 3

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The Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens draws to a conclusion on Sunday, on what could be the last day it takes place at Hong Kong Stadium before a move to Kai Tak Sports Park.

16

Hong Kong Sevens: New Zealand emerging from ruins of poor start to stand on cusp of immortality in sport’s spiritual home

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Having ousted crowd favourites and perennial finalists Fiji, All Blacks now face old foes Australia for place in the final, and a chance to be the last winners ever at city’s iconic venue.

14

Hong Kong Sevens: former USA captain Gustaitis on why ‘frenetic’ rugby code is taking off stateside

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Abby Gustaitis says sevens is capturing the imagination of her compatriots, as women advance to Hong Kong Sevens semi-finals with emphatic 33-7 win over Fiji.

11

Hong Kong Sevens: Great Britain’s Burton comes full-circle after 25-day coma, Olympic Games next on agenda

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Abi Burton has ‘come full circle’ after playing in the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens following fears her career was over because of a serious illness that left her in a coma

07

‘Prestige and history’ put Hong Kong Sevens on pedestal, says Ireland icon Brian O’Driscoll

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Ireland rugby royalty Brian O’Driscoll says Hong Kong remains the cream of the world series circuit crop, ‘prestige and history’ elevate city’s event above others.

04

Hong Kong Sevens: New Zealand and Australia set up blockbuster semi-finals, Hong Kong’s men must wait - day 2, as it happened

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New Zealand’s women lose to France in pool stage, putting them on other side of the draw and on collision course with Australia.

03

Behind the scenes at Hong Kong Sevens as insider tells of bear hugs, crying Fijians and a lost wheelchair

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Sean Moore has been involved with the Sevens since 1998 and, ahead of the last edition at Hong Kong Stadium, he shares his favourite memories.

02

Hong Kong Sevens: Aussie legend Hooper has roller coaster start to new career, reveals nerves before debut

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Australia legend Michael Hooper reveals the extent of his nerves before a debut at the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, former 15s captain enjoys bright start, but day ends on sour note