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Lars Hamer

Places at next week’s Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens are on the line for the city’s men’s rugby players after their head coach said on Wednesday that no position in his squad was safe.
Jevon Groves has challenged established names and young stars alike to step up and fight for spots in his 13-man roster to play at Kai Tak Stadium following Hong Kong’s embarrassing exit from the Challenger Series earlier this month.
A tough two weeks in Cape Town brought disappointment in successive series legs and their resulting elimination from contention for promotion to World Rugby’s elite-level circuit, the HSBC SVNS Series.
Low points in South Africa included a shock 24-10 loss to Madagascar, and a 19-17 defeat by Japan after leading 17-0 at half-time. Groves said it left everyone with a point to prove in training before their home tournament on March 28 to 30.

“We’re going to pick the 13 best players over these two weeks to go out there and play,” Groves said. “What we’ve got to look at is who’s playing well, who’s the most competitive, who’s going to come out on top over these two weeks and give them an opportunity next weekend.
“So whether you’re a senior player or a young player, you’ve got equal opportunity for next weekend, because performances weren’t good enough in the Challenger.
“If you’re a senior player or a mainstay in the team, you’ve got to show that you are that.”
With the Sevens proper comprising the 12 teams from the SVNS Series, the inclusion of a Melrose Claymores competition has again allowed the local sides to compete in front of their home fans. That will pit the men against China and Japan, while the women will face Kazakhstan and Thailand.
“The Challenger was disappointing, we didn’t play how we wanted to play,” Groves said. “But it’s probably a bit of a blessing that we’ve got a major tournament two weeks after we’ve come back.
“The boys who have been consistent performers for us over the last five or six years, they’ve got to show why they’re here. We [the coaching staff] have got to look at how we challenge those guys and make them play to the level I know they can play at.
“It’s a great opportunity for those boys to make amends, and other boys to stake a claim for a jersey.”
Hong Kong captain James Christie said the “whole side was hurting” after their Challenger results but players were not afraid to tell each other hard truths.
“[Groves has] picked a 23-man squad and the team gets named on Friday,” he said. “So it’s very competitive. Anyone could take anyone’s place, which I prefer, actually, because then you’re not cruising and everyone works harder. It’s a hugely competitive environment.

“We’re competing for each other’s positions, but once we come off that pitch, we do our reviews and we’re not afraid to criticise each other. That’s how we help each other.”
The reward for 13 of them will be the chance to perform on home soil.
“Coming off [the series] after South Africa is tough,” said Christie, who took over as skipper last year following Max Woodward’s retirement. “But we’ve drawn a line under it, learned from those mistakes, and we’ve got to move forward.
“You can’t change the past. What we’ve got to do is learn from it, and luckily, we’ve got this chance to make it right.”


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Hong Kong Sevens

Hong Kong Sevens: city’s men ‘hurting’ from Cape Town, told to fight for spots at Kai Tak

The city’s players get combative in training ahead of next week’s Hong Kong Sevens. Photo: Elson Li

James Christie interacts with fans at last year’s Hong Kong Sevens. Photo: Eugene Lee

Max Denmark holds the ball on the ground as squadmates close in during training. Photo: Elson Li

Hong Kong Sevens: city’s women learned from Challenger Series losses, coach says

Chong Ka-yan in possession as the city’s players train ahead of next week’s Hong Kong Sevens. Photo: Elson Li

Andrew Vilk said lessons had been gained from the Challenger Series legs in Cape Town. Photo: Elson Li

Hong Kong co-captain Chloe Chan (right) said the players had learned about resilience. Photo: Elson Li

Hong Kong Sevens ticket sales near 40,000, largest crowd ever expected at Kai Tak Stadium

Fans can expect more fireworks on and off the pitch when the Hong Kong Sevens gets under way at Kai Tak Stadium. Photo: Eugene Lee

Fans watch the opening ceremony at Kai Tak Sports Park on March 1. Photo: Nora Tam

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Hong Kong

Rugby

HK Sevens

‘Anyone could take anyone’s place,’ captain James Christie says as coach Jevon Groves calls for response to Challenger Series exit


‘Anyone could take anyone’s place,’ captain James Christie says as coach Jevon Groves calls for response to Challenger Series exit.


Hong Kong Sevens: city’s men ‘hurting’ from Cape Town, told to fight for spots at Kai Tak

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}‘Anyone could take anyone’s place,’ captain James Christie says as coach Jevon Groves calls for response to Challenger Series exit

‘Anyone could take anyone’s place,’ captain James Christie says as coach Jevon Groves calls for response to Challenger Series exit