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Paul McNamara

Co-captain James Christie has said it would be a “huge honour” to lead Hong Kong in the National Games next month, before he hunkers down for an austere Christmas ahead of his team’s next challenge.
Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Stadium will stage the Games’ three-day rugby sevens tournaments from November 12. On their return to the competition after a 12-year absence, the hosts’ men are in a pool with Shandong, Tianjin and Inner Mongolia.
“It’s a huge honour being back in the National Games, especially on our own patch in front of friends and family,” Christie said.
“A lot of top professional teams don’t get to play a home tournament, so we’re hugely grateful we’ll get to play here twice this year [following the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens].
“There’s always pressure, but we wouldn’t be in the game if we didn’t like that.”
Hong Kong won both legs of the recent Asian Series to qualify for January’s inaugural HSBC SVNS 3 in Dubai.
Christie said the continental success was reward for a punishing pre-season, after the team were “absolutely cooked” during a desperately disappointing Challenger Series back in March.

“We talked to the head of performance and other staff … fitness was an issue,” Christie added. “It was nice that the work paid off.”
The 29-year-old Christie said the eight-team HSBC 3 tournament, which has replaced the Challenger, would be “the first step towards creating our World Series dream”. Hong Kong will need a top-two finish to advance to HSBC 2, which provides a gateway to the elite circuit.
A poor performance in Dubai in January last year ultimately cost the city team a World Series shot by the tightest of margins.
“We had a long Christmas and didn’t perform up to par,” Christie said.
“We have two weeks off this year, so everyone has individual responsibility to stay fit.”
Christie, who vowed he would have only one Christmas dinner, said the break from “mentally and physically impactful” training and competition would be valuable, but that the tournament would always be in the back of the players’ minds.
“We’ll come back and put in the hours and the metres, then fly into it,” he added.
Seb Brien has returned from a long-term injury to share the leadership load with Christie this term.

“Having Seb back is a big help, he’s a great talker and motivator, and an even better player,” Christie said.
“Johnsy [Paul John, head of Hong Kong sevens rugby] said choosing the right time to speak is more impactful than talking all the time. If you can’t show it on the field, what’s the point?”
As part of the Hong Kong 15s squad that has reached the 2027 Rugby World Cup, Christie said his future plans were “all up in the air”.
“It’s the same year as the Olympic qualifiers, which is one of our big dreams,” Christie added. “The World Cup will have a big impact on the decisions we’ll make. My focus is on sevens for now.”


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James Christie (with ball) in action during Hong Kong’s recent Asian Series success in Sri Lanka. Photo: Asia Rugby

James Christie on the charge during Hong Kong’s Asian Series victory over Sri Lanka in Hangzhou. Photo: Asia Rugby

James Christie training with the Hong Kong 15s squad in June. Photo: Jonathan Wong

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Nicholas Halliday celebrates winning gold for Hong Kong on Wednesday. Photo: Sailing Federation of Hong Kong, China

Nicholas Halliday (second from left) celebrates gold. Photo: Sailing Federation of Hong Kong, China

Australian tennis ace Ajla Tomljanovic speaks out on ‘disgusting and scary’ online abuse

Ajla Tomljanovic crunches a backhand in her Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open first-round victory over Momoko Kobori on Monday. Photo: Eugene Lee

Tomljanovic said she was routinely subjected to ‘disgusting and scary’ online abuse. Photo: Eugene Lee

Tomljanovic with her trophy after winning last year’s WTA 125 event in Hong Kong. Photo: Clicks Images

Sport

Rugby

HK Sevens

Hong Kong Rugby Union

James Christie set to co-captain city team on their return to multi-sports extravaganza, then turn attention to World Series quest


James Christie set to co-captain city team on their return to multi-sports extravaganza, then turn attention to World Series quest.


Hong Kong China Rugby

World Rugby

HSBC

Hong Kong rugby star to enjoy National Games honour before Christmas of denial

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}James Christie set to co-captain city team on their return to multi-sports extravaganza, then turn attention to World Series quest

James Christie set to co-captain city team on their return to multi-sports extravaganza, then turn attention to World Series quest