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SCMP Sport

The Hong Kong teams have been named for this weekend’s Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, with an experienced look to both the women and men.
Natasha Olson-Thorne and Melody Li Nim-yan will be co-captains as the women’s team play in their first ever HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series tournament.
The women’s section has a long history at Hong Kong Stadium but this Friday to Sunday will be the first time a leg of the women’s Sevens Series has featured at the city’s flagship event – pitting the home team against the very best.
A largely veteran cast announced on Wednesday includes Nam Ka-man, Jessica Ho Wai-on and Maggie Au Yeung, but they are joined by rising stars Micayla Baltazar, Julia Mba-Oyana and Allianz Premiership player Rosie Wright.

They are looking to use this weekend, and next at the Singapore Sevens, as stepping stones towards the Sevens Series qualifiers in South Africa next month.
Their hometown event has thrown them into pool A with Series leaders New Zealand, Canada and Great Britain, with the Kiwis up first on Friday afternoon.
“This is the biggest test the girls have ever had,” Hong Kong head sevens coach Paul John said. “We have a difficult group but we have to embrace that, learn from it, and take the experience of a lifetime out of this weekend.
“The biggest challenge is to respect, not fear, our opponents.”
The men’s side has nine players returning from November’s Sevens, including Max Woodward, who will play in his sixth home tournament – his fifth as captain.
The city’s most capped player, the evergreen Salom Yiu Kam-sing, had talked of retiring after November but is back for a 12th appearance in Hong Kong and his 70th in sevens worldwide.
Alex McQueen makes his ninth showing and Russ Webb and Seb Brien their fourth apiece, while there are tournament debuts for X-factor players Liam Herbert and Hugo Stiles, who were denied by injuries in November.
“The squad is rugby-ready,” men’s coach Jevon Groves said. “It has been a tough selection, and there are some very good players missing out, but over this next month there is more of a view to the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series.
Hong Kong’s young Sevens stars excite skipper Woodward – now he wants results
“We want to give guys opportunities so we can have the most competitive squad we can for the Challengers and to push for a place on the circuit.
“Hong Kong, and the Singapore Sevens the week after, will show where we are at now. Last November, we showed we could compete in parts, and in parts we were below the standard required, so we are looking for that consistency.”

Stiles and Christie were both raised on the Hong Kong Sevens. The former recalled on Wednesday that the two had played against each other in the tournament’s mini-rugby showcase 15 years ago, in the under-nines – Stiles for Valley and Christie for Hong Kong Football Club.
“Since then, I have not really set foot on that pitch,” said Stiles, who almost did last November before neck and shoulder injuries intervened. “Getting in this time is a dream come true, to be honest, as a Hong Kong kid.”
Hong Kong take on France, Great Britain and Uruguay in pool B. The men close out Friday’s fixtures with their opening game against France, who finished as runners-up in the most recent Sevens Series leg, in Vancouver.
Hong Kong Sevens squads
Men: Max Woodward (captain), Seb Brien, James Christie*, Max Denmark, Liam Herbert, Alex McQueen, Pierce Mackinlay-West, Callum McCullough*, Mak Kwai-chung, Alessandro Nardoni, Hugo Stiles*, Russ Webb, Salom Yiu Kam-shing.
* Hong Kong Sevens debut
Women: Natasha Olson-Thorne (co-captain), Melody Li Nim-yan (co-captain), Maggie Au Yeung Sin-yi, Micayla Baltazar, Chloe Chan, Stephanie Chan Chor-ki, Jessica Ho Wai-on, Lam Tsz-yan, Julia Mba-Oyana, Nam Ka-man, Agnes Tse Wing-kiu, Rosie Wright.


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Hong Kong Sevens

Hong Kong Sevens 2023: hosts name experienced women’s and men’s teams for ‘biggest test’

Natasha Olson-Thorne makes a break as the women’s team train at the Hong Kong Sports Institute in Sha Tin. Photo: Ike Li / Ike Images

The Hong Kong women’s team was named on Wednesday. Photo: Ike Li / Ike Images

The Hong Kong men’s team for the weekend’s Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens. Photo: Ike Li / Ike Images

Hong Kong Sevens 2023: 6 men’s and women’s players to watch at this week’s tournament

More than 20,000 rugby sevens fans watched three days of action in Hong Kong during last November. Photo: Handout

Australia’s Maddison Levi (left) prevents New Zealand’s Jorja Miller from scoring a try during the Canada Sevens women’s final on March 5. Photo: AP

Argentina’s Matias Osadczuk (right) is tackled by Kenya’s Willy Ambaka at the 2022 Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens. Photo: K. Y. Cheng

New Zealand's Akuila Rokolisoa runs in a try against Canada in the Bowl final at the 2022 Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens. Photo: Sam Tsang

Max Denmark stiff arms a defender during Hong Kong’s semi-final against Japan in the Asia Rugby Sevens Series leg in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi. Photo: Asia Rugby

Fijis Reapi Ulunisau (centre) in action against Canada in Vancouver. Photo: AFP

Australias Dietrich Roache (centre) tries to break free from Fiji’s Rokoua Rasaku at the LA Sevens. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong Sevens 2023: organisers expect crowd to top 35,000 as most tickets sell locally

Spectators rejoice as the Hong Kong Sevens returns last November. Photo: AP

More than 20,000 fans a day watched November’s return of the tournament. Photo: Hong Kong Rugby Union

Hong Kong Sevens 2023: organisers reveal draw, promise to recapture former glory

Fans revel in the Hong Kong Sevens’ return in November. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

Members of Hong Kong’s men’s and women’s teams attend the Sevens launch on Monday. Photo: Ike Li / Ike Images

Sport

Hong Kong

Rugby

HK Sevens

Natasha Olson-Thorne and Melody Li Nim-yan are joint captains as the women make their HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series debut
Max Woodward will play in his sixth home tournament, his fifth as captain, as the men push for a regular spot on the circuit


Natasha Olson-Thorne and Melody Li Nim-yan are co-captains as the women make their HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series debut, while Max Woodward is men’s skipper as they push for a spot on the full circuit.


Hong Kong China Rugby

Hong Kong Sevens 2023: hosts name experienced women’s and men’s teams for ‘biggest test’

Natasha Olson-Thorne and Melody Li Nim-yan are joint captains as the women make their HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series debut Max Woodward will play in his sixth home tournament, his fifth as captain, as the men push for a regular spot on the circuit

Natasha Olson-Thorne and Melody Li Nim-yan are joint captains as the women make their HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series debut

Max Woodward will play in his sixth home tournament, his fifth as captain, as the men push for a regular spot on the circuit