The Hong Kong Sevens
(Chinese: ?????????) (referred to as Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens
for sponsorship reasons) is considered the premier tournament on the IRB Sevens World Series in rugby union. It is held annually at the last weekend of March in Hong Kong and is organised by the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union (HKRFU). The tournament lasts 2 and a half days, commencing on a Friday afternoon, and concluding on the Sunday evening.
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HONG KONG SEVENS TICKETS
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History
The Hong Kong Sevens were established in 1976 after a discussion between the chairman of the HKRFU,
South African entrepreneur, A.D.C. "Tokkie" Smith, Duncan McTavish (HKRFC then captain) and Ian Gow, a
Rothmans' Tobacco company executive. Gow wanted his firm to sponsor a rugby tournament with top teams from throughout the world. McTavish and Smith suggested that a
Rugby sevens tournament would be logistically more feasible and be a better spectacle than a 15-a-side tournament. After an initial proposal was refused by the
Rugby Football Union in
England, the HKRFU changed focus and sent out invitations to Asian and Pacific sides.
On
1976-03-28, clubs from Indonesia, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Tonga, Japan, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Fiji participated in the first Hong Kong Sevens Tournament at the
Hong Kong Football Club in
Happy Valley sponsored by Rothmans' Tobacco and Cathay Pacific. This was an important step as this was one of the first rugby tournaments that attracted commercial sponsorship. Of the countries represented in the inaugural sevens tournament, only Australia and New Zealand did not send national sides, instead being represented by the Wallaroos and the Cantabrians respectively. These two clubs met in the final where the Cantabrians won 24-8.
The series then grew into a competition with national representative sevens sides competing, and with this growth, the tournament moved to the
Hong Kong Government Stadium in 1982. In 1994, the venue was deemed too small for the tournament and was rebuilt into a 40,000 seat stadium now named the
Hong Kong Stadium. Today, 24 national representative sides compete in the tournament.
In 1997 and 2005, the Hong Kong Sevens was not held; taking its place was the
IRB Rugby World Cup Sevens, which Hong Kong hosted in both years. Fiji won both World Cup Sevens tournaments held in Hong Kong.
Dressing Up/Party Atmosphere/The South Stand
The Hong Kong Rugby Sevens is traditionally one of if not the biggest event on the Hong Kong sporting calendar. As such, there is a tremendous party atmosphere, with particular emphasis on the South Stand, where hordes of rugby fans dress up and dance for most of the duration. Activities that typically ensue as the weekend progresses include the throwing of empty beer jugs around the South Stand, Mexican waves, and streakers running across the pitch. Since 2007 the South Stand has been made officially accessible to over-18s only, due to its hyper and somewhat provocative atmosphere, although this rule is not strictly policed.
The Hong Kong Sevens typically draws the biggest crowd and is the biggest party on the IRB Seven's Calendar.
Summaries
| Year
| Venue
| Cup
| Plate
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| Winner
| Final Score
| Runner-up
| Winner
| Runner-up
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1976
Details
| HK Football Club Stadium
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Cantabrians
| 24-8
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Wallaroos
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1977
Details
| HK Football Club Stadium
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| 28-18
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Marlborough
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|
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1978
Details
| HK Football Club Stadium
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| 14-10
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Manawatu
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1979
Details
| HK Football Club Stadium
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| 39-3
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1980
Details
| HK Football Club Stadium
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| 12-8
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Co-Optimists
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1981
Details
| HK Football Club Stadium
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Barbarian F.C.
| 12-10
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1982
Details
| Government Stadium
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| 18-14
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Scottish Border Club
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1983
Details
| Government Stadium
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| 14-4
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| Year
| Venue
| Cup
| Plate
| Bowl
|
| Winner
| Final Score
| Runner-up
| Winner
| Winner
|
1984
Details
| Government Stadium
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| 26-0
|
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1985
Details
| Government Stadium
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| 24-10
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Public Schools Wanderers
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1986
Details
| Government Stadium
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| 32-12
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French Barbarians
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1987
Details
| Government Stadium
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| 12-6
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French Barbarians
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1988
Details
| Government Stadium
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| 13-12
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Kwang-Hua Teipai
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1989
Details
| Government Stadium
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| 22-10
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1990
Details
| Government Stadium
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| 22-10
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1991
Details
| Government Stadium
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| 18-14
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1992
Details
| Government Stadium
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| 22-6
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1993
Details
| Government Stadium
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| 14-12
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1994
Details
| Hong Kong Stadium
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| 32-20
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1995
Details
| Hong Kong Stadium
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| 35-17
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1996
Details
| Hong Kong Stadium
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| 19-17
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1997
Details
| Hong Kong Stadium
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| 24-21
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1998
Details
| Hong Kong Stadium
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| 28-19
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1999
Details
| Hong Kong Stadium
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| 21-12
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2000
Details
| Hong Kong Stadium
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| 31-5
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2001
Details
| Hong Kong Stadium
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| 29-5
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2002
Details
| Hong Kong Stadium
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| 33-20
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2003
Details
| Hong Kong Stadium
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| 22-17
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2004
Details
| Hong Kong Stadium
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| 22-12
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2005
Details
| Hong Kong Stadium
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| 29-19
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2006
Details
| Hong Kong Stadium
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| 26-24
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2007
Details
| Hong Kong Stadium
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| 27-22
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2008
Details
| Hong Kong Stadium
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| 26-12
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2009
Details
| Hong Kong Stadium
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| 26-24
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A developing ground for young players
Sevens has proved to be a very fertile ground for nurturing young players
[1]. For
New Zealand,
Jonah Lomu [2] ,
Christian Cullen,
Zinzan Brooke,
John Schuster,
Rodney So'oialo,
Josevata Rokocoko,
Mils Muliaina and
Rico Gear were first introduced to the international game of Sevens. For
Australia, former Australian captain
George Gregan first demonstrated his ability at the Hong Kong Sevens in the same team as
Joe Roff and
Ben Tune. Sevens launched the careers of
Rupeni Caucau,
Napolioni Nalaga,
Sireli Bobo,
Noa Nadruku,
Joeli Vidiri,
William Ryder,
Marika Vunibaka and
Vilimoni Delasau to name just a few Fijians. For
England,
Lawrence Dallaglio,
Matt Dawson,
Austin Healey,
Josh Lewsey,
Mathew Tait and
David Strettle have developed their game in the shortened code. For
Wales,
Jamie Roberts,
James Hook has gone on to play at fly-half for his national team after playing in the Hong Kong Sevens
[3]. South Africa, also, have seen
Jean De Villiers,
Bryan Habana,
Ricky Januarie,
Brent Russell and
Kabamba Floors showcase their variety of skills at the event.
The game of
Rugby sevens naturally encourages players to run at their opponents with ball in hand. These skills are crucial to the fifteen-a-side game, but are rarely experienced by young players in the fifteen-a-side game.
See also
- Singer Sri Lankan Airlines Rugby 7's
- Rugby Sevens
- IRB Sevens World Series
- Rugby World Cup Sevens