Hong Kong to roll out rugby sevens big guns in quest for National Games gold
City to throw everything at winning home tournament in hopes of inspiring the next generation of players
Head coach Jevon Groves has been given access to all his big guns as Hong Kong target a golden return to National Games rugby sevens action in November.
The city’s qualification for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, coupled with a sevens restructure that cut Hong Kong further adrift from elite status, raised the possibility that some players would focus solely on the global tournament.
But Groves will have first pick of Hong Kong’s talent for next month’s Asia Rugby Sevens Series leg in Sri Lanka, which clashes with a 15s camp in Japan, and for his side’s first Games campaign since 2013. Kai Tak Stadium will stage the three-day tournament from November 12.
“We’ll have the senior group until November, then conversations around who goes where will happen post-National Games,” Groves said.
“The boys are always keen to play at home in front of friends and family. It’s important for the programme, and a chance to inspire people to get involved in rugby. We want to showcase sevens as a pathway for young boys and girls to play professional sport in Hong Kong.”
Groves’s side blew away all comers last weekend for a successful start to their Asian Series campaign in Hangzhou.