Hong Kong Rugby Union Women’s Sevens coach Anna Richards is hoping to capitalise on home pitch advantage as the Asia Rugby Women’s Sevens Series opens tomorrow at Hong Kong Football Club.

Two years ago, on the first ever hosting of an Asia Rugby Sevens Series event in Hong Kong, the women’s team overturned Japan in the semi-finals to reach their first ever Cup final, eventually losing to China.

Richards has picked an experienced side for this week’s competition with the objective of again reaching the final of the team’s home event.

“Marky [Komar, Women’s Sevens assistant coach], and I are very happy with the make-up of the side. We had almost everyone to choose from and we chose the side we thought would get us a win in the first leg,” said Richards today at the team’s training at Hong Kong Football Club.

The selection is stocked with the names that have helped Hong Kong Women’s Rugby grow into a force in regional sevens with captain Christy Cheng Ka-chi once again leading from the front while Aggie Poon Pak-yan and Natasha Olson-Thorne will provide a potent force out wide.

Hong Kong are the second seeds in Pool A tomorrow behind Japan and ahead of Singapore and Guam. Pool B features China, Thailand, Uzbekistan and Sri Lanka.

While Hong Kong beat Japan in their last outing at the Hong Kong Women’s Rugby Sevens in March, Richards is aware that the stakes have grown for all of the teams in the intervening months and expects a stiffer challenge from the Asian champions tomorrow.

“We’re six months down the track from that win, and Japan have brought their top side here this weekend. They are no longer a core team on the international series so like all of the teams they will need to finish in the top two on the Series to gain entry to the Women’s World Series qualifiers. I see a lot of top girls in their team this weekend, which is what we want. It’s always good to play Japan no matter what and we want to face their best.

A strong day one will be essential and Richards is pleased that the opportunity will come in front of a friendly audience.

“It is always nice to start a competition like this at home. It is only our third tournament of the year so the girls are excited. We have done a lot of training, but haven’t played in a lot of tournaments. The girls are keen to get out there. They love to play in Hong Kong in front of their families,” said Richards.

A positive start is a priority for Richards who recalled that Hong Kong’s impressive finish in 2014 was nearly derailed after a sluggish start.

“In 2014 we had a poor first day. We just snuck into the semis on goal difference as we drew with Thailand. Then on day two we had a great win over Japan but didn’t do so well against China in the final.

“That was the first time the girls had won silver, but I would like to emulate last year’s Season opener in Qingdao when we played really well to win our first Cup on the Series.”

Hong Kong beat China convincingly in the final 24-15 in Qingdao to claim their first ever Asia Rugby Sevens Series event title.

“Qingdao was really a watershed moment for the girls and I would like to carry on from there,” said Richards.

The side selected for this weekend features ten of the 12 players from last year’s series opener including flyer Chong Ka-yan who made her international debut last year in Qingdao.

There is a lot at stake for Hong Kong in the upcoming Series, which is a Tier A competition at the Hong Kong Sports Institute, alongside tournaments like the Olympics and Asian Games and the China National Games. A positive performance will see the players efforts recognized in the way of enhanced scholarships.

The Series will also serve as the decider for invitation to the international qualification tournament for the Women’s World Sevens Series. Invites will be handed out to the top two finishers this season to the global qualifier.

Hong Kong Women’s Sevens Squad (Asia Rugby Sevens Series – Hong Kong): CHENG Ka-chi, Christy (captain); Natasha OLSON-THORNE (vice captain); NAM Ka-man; Candy CHENG Tsz-ting; Aggie POON Pak-yan; SHAM Wai-sum; Colleen TJOSVOLD; KWONG Sau-yan; LI Nim-yan, Melody; CHONG Ka-yan, Adrienne GARVEY, YUEN Lok-yee.