PUBLISHED ON 10 NOV 2024
Hong Kong China Men's and Women's 7s headed to Bangkok, Thailand, for the third and final leg of the Asia Rugby Sevens Series 2024 (view squads). You can also check out the write up from the first leg and from the second leg, which have placed both teams in a strong position to secure qualification to the HSBC Sevens Challenger 2025. The qualification spots are allocated as follows:
- In the men’s competition, the top two sides at the end of the competition will qualify for the Challenger
- In the women’s competition, as both Japan and China have qualified for the SVNS Series 2024-2025, the top sides at the end of the competition (apart from the SVNS qualified teams) will earn qualification to the Challenger
Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series Leg 3 – Results
Saturday 9 November
- Hong Kong China Men 22-7 Singapore
- Hong Kong China Women 45-0 Kazakhstan
- Hong Kong China Men 49-0 Malaysia
- Hong Kong China Women 43-0 UAE
- Hong Kong China Men 50-0 Korea
- China Women 29-19 Hong Kong China
Day 1 – Stream (can be watched back anytime)
Sunday 10 November
- Hong Kong China Men 26-5 China (Cup Semi-Final)
- Hong Kong China Women 10-14 Japan (Cup Semi-Final)
- Hong Kong China Men 26-15 Japan (Cup Final)
- Thailand Women 24-5 Hong Kong China (3rd Place Playoff)
Day 2 – Stream (can be watched back anytime)
DAY TWO REVIEW - MEN'S AND WOMEN'S 7S BOTH QUALIFY FOR WORLD RUGBY CHALLENGER SERIES
Sunday 10 November 2024 was the final day of the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series, a culmination of three legs of rugby that sapped players as they gave everything on the fields across Korea, China and finally in Thailand.
Hong Kong China Men proved to be triumphant, as they didn't concede defeat once across the series to be crowned champions of Asia. The women fell to Thailand in Bangkok in the 3rd Place Playoff, but both sides were satisfied and excited about the prospects of playing in the Challenger series in 2025.
Andy Vilk, Hong Kong China Women’s 7s Head Coach said “It was a positive weekend and although it was disappointing to lose some of the games on Sunday, we came here to confirm the Challenger qualification. We wanted to play our brand of sevens rugby, and those last three games were challenging and they were needed to see where we are. We have to use this to drive us to help us get to where we want to with the Challenger in a few months.”
Jevon Groves, Hong Kong China Men's 7s Head Coach was pleased, saying “What is more pleasing for us, and we love to win tournaments, but we have used 21 players across the three legs and we have new caps this tournament, so we are building the strength of depth which is important. We are pleased with the performances from everyone and the boys adapted really well.
"It is 15 from 15 wins. We nearly did this last time but we set a new record for being undefeated, which is great for the boys and the performances were excellent.”
Hong Kong China Men 26-5 China - Cup Semi-Final
Hong Kong China Men had a good start early against China, and after stealing a turnover, a well-worked lineout move set Max Denmark free as he went over in the corner with a powerful fend to lead 7-0 before the side added a quick second try, with a third score pulled back by the match referee.
The team's defence was excellent as they forced mistakes from China, who had everything to play for.
A hopeful kick chase and ensuing defence pinned the Chinese back, but tired legs could not prevent a score at the hooter for a 12-5 halftime lead.
Denmark had another gut-busting powerful run to score and extend the lead 19-5 at the start of the half, which grew when Ka To Cado Lee was gifted a try from the opponent's mistake.
The Hong Kong China defence won this contest as well as the ability to turn that into an attack with the pace and precision across the team. China were chasing points well after the hooter but the boys held on and kicked the ball dead with the game won, and went to a third consecutive Final.
Hong Kong China Women 19-10 Japan - Cup Semi-Final
Japan scored an early try to lead 7-0 from the kick-off and quickly extended the lead to 12-0 following a good set move from the Sakura 7s. The side had brought back four Olympians this weekend, and it was a much improved outfit in Bangkok.
A yellow card for Japan meant Hong Kong China could capitalise, and they managed to close the gap to 5-12 on halftime with a try out wide to Ka Yan Chong who had a terrific weekend.
The side started the half with another Ka Yan Chong try to close it to 10-12 but from the restart, Japan regained a 9-point advantage with a breakaway try and held on to win 19-10 with our girls set to face Thailand for third place.
Hong Kong China Women 5-24 Thailand (3rd Place Playoff)
The contest started to the background of the boisterous home crowd, and the match was made harder when the girls conceded a yellow card early. Both sides already knew they had qualified for Challenger but were playing for pride and placement on the Asian Series.
The Thais moved the ball around well and opened the scoring on the edges for a 5-0 lead. Both sides responded with chances, and both were denied scoring opportunities with small errors.
Thailand extended the lead twice more with two tries to lead 17-0 halfway through the second half, and a final late try killed off the contest. However, as has been the attitude of the Hong Kong China Women all year, they replied with a late score through Sabay Lynam and a final result of 5-24 to end fourth in this leg of the series.
Chloe Chan, Hong Kong China Women's co-captain, commented “I thought we did well on the first day, and today it was just little things where it was tougher, but they were close games so I am really proud of the girls. It's been so nice for the younger girls to come up through the pathways, so it's been a good opportunity for new girls to show what they have.”
Top try scorer for the women, who always plays with a smile on her face, Ka Yan Chong said, “Today we really tried our best even if we did not get the results we wanted. But we played some good rugby, and we adopted a new strategy where we tried to play to our strengths and highlight the assets of each player, and it worked quite well.
"When we move the ball we can be threatening in attack, but we might need to fine-tune some things. We are one step ahead of where we were, and we need to see where we can be next year.”
Hong Kong China Men 26-15 Japan (Cup Final)
It was another hot day under the Bangkok sun, but the men set out to complete their task of an undefeated series in style, with Harry Sayers and Max Denmark scoring early tries, but this ever-improving Japanese side was back in the game with a try of their own as Hong Kong China led 12-5
Denmark and a third team try to give the boys some breathing room and a 19-5 lead at halftime.
The Japanese fought back again in the second half and narrowed the lead to 19-10 but a good try from Hong Kong China following a kick-through made it 26-10 with the clock winding down. Japan scored a late consolation try, but Hong Kong China Men were victorious and claimed a milestone undefeated season to be crowned Asian Champions in 2025.
Hong Kong China Men’s Captain, James Christie, explained after the win, “It wasn't easy winning 15 on the bounce and to keep getting back up again, especially here this weekend in the heat. Teams like Japan, China, and others keep testing us. It's been good to enter this new Olympic cycle and see the talent we have. We have used 21 players this series and to still come out on top, has been really good.
"It's been a huge team effort and there are so many leaders in the team, and we tried to help each other out this weekend. We really bonded as a team, and that has been a point of difference."
Julien Bourran - Debut Tournament
Groves commented, “I am pleased with the debutantes and Julien in particular, but they all added real value whether they started or came on off the bench. There is lots for us to build on, and we have the Challenger to look forward to, and lots of guys coming back to I am looking forward to it.
We can talk a lot about the impact of the new players, but the senior players really played particularly well this weekend too, and that gave the debut players a chance to perform. It was great to see them all flourishing which bodes well for us.”
Bourran had a great debut tournament and said, “I am over the moon. This has been a dream since a really young age to be in this team so it's an absolute honour. To get a few starts this weekend has been a real privilege for me.
"The older boys have helped get all of us debutantes to get out of our own shells and be helpful and respectful of our own spaces too. It's been good to have a few younger boys here too but also learning from the experienced players. For me, to learn from the coaches that we have and the experience they have has helped me grow.”
DAY ONE REVIEW - BOTH TEAMS REACH CUP SEMI-FINALS
The Boonyachinda Thai Police Stadium proved to be a happy hunting ground for both the Hong Kong China Men's and Women's 7s squads on Saturday 9 November 2024.
Both teams delivered exceptional performances throughout the day. They collectively won five out of six games, had debutantes score their first tries, and both teams reached the Cup Semi-Finals at the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series Bangkok 7s.
Paul John, Head Coach of the Hong Kong China 7s Programme, said of the opening day's play:
"The boys had three really solid performances, scoring some very good team tries and only conceding the one try in the first game. The senior boys also led really well to help our debutants get a chance to make an impact.
"The girls have done really well to secure qualification. In each of the first two matches, they scored over 40 points and were really ruthless. They won some very good kick-offs, scored some great tries, and defended very well in not conceding a try in either match.”
He added “It has been a very good Day 1 for both teams in securing Challenger qualification. The coaches have done an excellent job in preparing the squad, not only for this Thailand leg, but also throughout the Asian Series.”
Hong Kong China Men 22-7 Singapore
Harry Sayers got the opening score for the Hong Kong China men on a sweltering hot and humid day after a great break and an around the defender’s back pass from Liam Doherty put him through to lead 7-0.
Max Denmark scored first of plenty on Saturday with the sides’ Movember moustaches in full flow.
James Christie added a 3rd before the half for a 17-0 lead, and Denmark got his double to start the half and open the lead to 22-0.
Unfortunately, a dangerous tackle from Juan Esono Mba Oyana saw him leave the field with a red card and Singapore scored after the hooter for a 22-7 final score win.
Hong Kong China Women 45-0 Kazakhstan
Natasha Olson-Thorne secured a early trademark turnover which shifted defence to attack in the Kazakhstan match. A win over the rivals would effectively end their chances of qualifying for the Semi-Finals and Challenger qualification.
The team had some excellent offloads in the contact areas which resulted in the first of several Ka Yan Chong tries.
The women attacked the fringes well, and with sniping runs and quick hands, Sabay Lynam added the team's second to lead 10-0.
They were clinical at restarts, and Natasha Olson-Thorne claimed the ball to run in a third. Well after the hooter, Lynam scored her second for a 22-0 halftime lead.
A wonderful set move with a short running line off a scrum saw Gabriella Rivers power over as the side put on a dominant display.
Ka Yan Chong scored two more late on to secure a hatrick and claim a big win.
Hong Kong China Men 49-0 Malaysia
Bryn Phillips got the opening score under the posts and converted his own before Sayers claimed the restart and passed to Ka To Cado Lee, who added a quick second try to lead 14-0.
Denmark pounced with a quick-fire double and Doherty another try for a 35-0 halftime score.
With the side winning the restarts, Julien Bourron scored his first senior sevens try and converted, with Doherty capping off a great game with a great try.
Hong Kong China Women 43-0 UAE
Lynam opened the score to nab her 3rd try of the day, with Ka Yan Chong scoring shortly thereafter. Not be outdone, Lynam added scored again to put them in command before completing her hatrick after the hooter secured a 29-0 halftime lead.
Ka Yan Chong and Jessica Wai On Ho added more points in the second half for a comfortable win.
Hong Kong China Men 50-0 Korea
A dominant display from the men saw them beat perennial threats Korea with a resounding 50-0 in their biggest win of the day.
To cap it off, debutantes Blake Elliot and Wesley Yuk Shing Ng both scored their first senior tries.
China Women 29-19 Hong Kong China
In what was expected to be the toughest pool encounter, Olson-Thorne opened the scoring and Lynam prevented a try with a great cover tackle, but eventually the Chinese got over the line to tie it up.
A great solo break by Ka Yan Chong saw them retake the lead, but China struck back with two scores just before the break to have a narrow 17-14 lead.
Hong Kong China Women edged ahead thanks to an Olson-Thorne score but China bounced back wit two more of their own to beat the girls 29-19, but it was fantastic effort.
Debutants for the Men
Paul John explained of the five debutantes, “The coaches showed confidence in our debutants, as they trained well with the senior group over the last month.
"In particular, Blake (Elliot) and Julien (Bourron) dictated the tempo and tactics in the third game from half back, which was great to see. It was also great to see Wesley (Shing) get on the score sheet; he has worked hard and really matured over the last six months."
Semi-Final Qualification and Reaching the Challenger
The men’s team will face China on Sunday in the Cup Semi-Fnal while our women’s team take on Japan.
John confirmed both sides had already achieved one goal of playing in the HSBC Challenger series.
“Reaching the Challenger was the obvious goal for the series. The boys have now secured the series; however, they are not content with that and want to go on to be successful in this tournament too. The women showed that they are more than capable of progressing tomorrow to the final, with only small margins costing us against China in the last group match.
"Day 2 is the business end of the tournament. Our physios and S&C coaches are worth their weight in gold and will do all they can to get the players ready for Sunday.”
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