[Hong Kong, 8 March 2024]: The Hong Kong China Rugby Men’s and Women’s Sevens squads for the second of the World Rugby Challenger Series in Uruguay (8-10 March) have been announced.  The three-tournament Challenger Series will determine spots on next season’s HSBC SVNS Series.  The opening Challenger tournament in Dubai was won by Kenya (men) and China (women) in January; Hong Kong men finished seventh while the women finished in tenth place. 

For the second event in Montevideo, Uruguay, Hong Kong China’s women were drawn with Dubai runners-up Kenya, Belgium and Papua New Guinea in Pool B.  Series-leaders China are pooled with Poland, Czechia and Paraguay in Pool A with Argentina, Uganda, Thailand and Mexico in Pool C.

The men are in an equally challenging group with Dubai runners-up Chile, Asian rivals Japan and Mexico in Pool B.  Dubai men’s winners Kenya are grouped with Tonga, Georgia and Portugal in Pool A, and Pool C features hosts Uruguay, Germany, Uganda and Papua New Guinea. 

In the men’s team, 10 of coach Jevon Groves’ squad from Dubai return for the second leg, with fly-half Russ Webb and forward Pierce Mackinlay-West absent.  A pair of Asian Games gold medallists in Ale Nardoni and Hugo Stiles have both returned from injury and been passed fit for round two. 

Coach Andy Vilk’s women’s team features four changes.  Co-captain Melody Li and fellow forward Chloe Chan are recovering from injuries, while backs Jessica Ho and Sabay Lynam are both unavailable.  Shanna Forrest and Jasmine Fung Hoi Ching – both of whom featured at the Asia Rugby Olympic Qualifiers in November, and the Baltazar sisters, Micayla and Chloe, enter the squad for Uruguay.

“It was a very long journey to get here, around 30 hours of travel time, so it took us a bit of time to pick up where we left off in our training, but we have had a good week,” commented Hong Kong, China head sevens coach Paul John, speaking from Montevideo.

“We have known the draw for a while, so we could prepare a bit more than we were able to ahead of Dubai.

“The girls preparation was impacted by availability issues, but the boys have had a good build-up and we have named a very senior squad. Hugo and Ale have been really diligent in their rehab. They are both fit and ready to get back involved. 

“The girls squad was more challenging to prepare, but Shanna and Jasmine both played well at the Asian Games and it will be good to have the Baltazar sisters back; They have trained well and offer good physicality,” added John.

The teams will be thrown into the deep end immediately in South America, with opening games against Japan (00:55, Sat. 9 Mar.) and Chile (06:04, Sat. 9 Mar.) for the men, while the women face second-ranked Kenya (23:36, Fri. 8 Mar.) and a well drilled Belgium (04:04, Sat. 9 Mar.) on Friday.

“We have prepared as best as we could, and the players are looking forward to it, but it will be a big day one – there is no doubt about that.

“We know Japan as well as anyone, we play them so often, including this season, and it is always close. There is no reason to expect this will be any different, and Chile has already reached a final,” John continued.

The top two from each pool and the two best third-placed finishers qualify for the knockout stages, with quarter-finals and semi-finals leading to the third place and gold medal matches.  

The top four teams from the Challenger Series advance to the relegation play-off at the SVNS Grand Final in Madrid against teams ranked ninth to 12th from the HSBC SVNS 2024.  Four successful nations from this Grand Final play-off will secure their place in the HSBC SVNS 2025.

“This Series is so competitive. Every game counts. Every play counts. Every moment matters in terms of trying to get a better points differential or a better place in the knockout stages. The boys need a big tournament, and they know that. If we have any ambition for the play-off in Madrid, we need a big performance to improve our rankings,” said John. 

The third and final round of the 2024 Challenger series will be from 18-19 May.  

All of the Asia Rugby teams participating in the Challenger Series will also be appearing at the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens (5-7 April 2024), when they contest a new competition over Sevens weekend, the Melrose Claymore, after a pair of the famed Scottish swords were donated as the silverware for the competition by Melrose RFC in Scotland.  Hong Kong will host Japan and China men in the inaugural Melrose Claymores competition, while the women will host China and Thailand.  

Hong Kong, China Men’s Seven for World Rugby Challenger Series (Montevideo):  Seb BRIEN (Captain); James CHRISTIE; Max DENMARK; Liam DOHERTY; FONG Kit-Fung; Liam HERBERT; LEE Ka-to, Cado; Callum McCULLOUGH; Alessandro NARDONI; Bryn PHILLIPS; Harry SAYERS; Hugo STILES.

Hong Kong, China Women’s Sevens Squad for World Rugby Challenger Series (Montevideo):  Natasha OLSON-THORNE (Captain); AU YEUNG Sin Yi; BALTAZAR, Chloe; BALTAZAR, Micayla; CHAN Tsz Ching; CHONG Ka Yan; FORREST, Shanna; FUNG Hoi Ching, Jasmine; NAM Ka Man; Julia MBA OYANA; POON Hoi Yan, Vivian; Gabriella RIVERS.