Hong Kong come into the first round of the Asia Rugby Women’s Sevens Series on the back of a short build-up but confident of putting in a strong performance in South Korea.

The series has been reduced to two legs due to the recent Women’s Rugby World Cup, with Hong Kong and Japan the two sides on the rebound from the 15s showpiece.

Hong Kong face South Korea, Sri Lanka and China in pool play and coach Anna Richards is unsure what to expect from her team after little preparation time and no practice matches.

“We haven’t had too many competitions this year so it will be nice to get into it,” Richards said.

“We have only been back together for a couple of weeks but the last week and a half the girls have been training really well.

“It’s a little bit of an unknown how we are going to go with a limited build-up but hopefully the girls are really keen to play well this weekend.”

The likes of Natasha Olson-Thorne, Aggie Poon Pak-yan, Colleen Tjosvold and Lindsay Varty are backing up from the World Cup and Richards says the focus has been getting them mentally ready.

“What we tried to do more than anything was just freshen the girls up, there was no point trying to get them sevens fit,” Richards said.

“It was more about getting them in the right frame of mind and getting them excited, a lot of them have had a huge year with the World Cup.

“They did so well over there so I think they will bring the knowledge and experience they gained into this series.

“I’m hoping they will show the resilience they showed at the World Cup and the mental toughness and willingness not to give in.”

Hong Kong finished third in last year’s series behind Japan and China, but will have their work cut out to finish in the top three again with powerful Kazakhstan returning to the competition.

“Who knows what they are going to be like, they are always a tough opponent,” Richards said.

With a number of players unavailable due to injury following the World Cup, Richards has blooded two new players that were unearthed at a talent identification session in June.

Stephanie Chan Chor-ki is a versatile back and Au Yueng Sin-yiastrong front-rower.

“It will be interesting to see how they go. We identified them in June and they have been training the last three months full-time with us so they are obviously sevens fit,” Richards said.

“The long-term aim was for the Asian Games [next year] but because of the number of injuries from the World Cup, these girls have been presented with an opportunity a lot earlier.

“I imagine they will be a bit nervous but hopefully they will bring an enthusiasm to the team.”

As for the reduction of the series from three legs to two, Richards understands the motives but is disappointed to lose valuable match-time.

“It’s never good when you lose another tournament as you learn a lot more in a tournament than you ever do on the training field,” she said.

Hong Kong Women’s Sevens Squad for Korea Sevens

Natasha OLSON-THORNE (co-captain), NAM Ka-man, Lee Tsz-ting, Cheng Tsz-ting (vice captain), KWONG Sau-yan, Maggie AU YEUNG Sin-yi*, Colleen TJOSVOLD, Stephanie CHAN Chor-ki*, Lindsay VARTY, YUEN Lok-yee (co-captain), CHONG Ka-yan, Aggie POON Pak-yan.

* Senior Hong Kong women’s sevens squad debut