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SCMP Sport

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing.
After three and a half years away, the city’s flagship sporting tournament continued its successful return on Saturday, with fans filling the stands in droves.
All 16 teams played twice, as the pool stage reached a thrilling conclusion at Hong Kong Stadium.
Here is how everything unfolded in So Kon Po.
Reporting by Matt Eaton, Nicolas Atkin, Harvey Kong, Rachel Yeo, Tom Bell, and Mathew Scott.


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Hong Kong Sevens

Hong Kong Sevens 2022: crowds flock to stadium for spectacular Saturday – day 2, as it happened

Fans are soaking up the atmosphere on day 2 of the Hong Kong Sevens. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

Sport

Rugby

HK Sevens

All 16 teams played twice on Saturday as the pool stage reached a thrilling conclusion at Hong Kong Stadium
Fans turned up in their droves and packed out the South Stand in particular as city’s flagship sporting event continued its comeback


Fans turned up in their droves and packed out the South Stand in particular as city’s flagship sporting event continued its comeback.


Hong Kong Sevens: As it happened

Live

Welcome back to our live coverage of the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens. We are back for another day of live Sevens coverage.
There must be some sleepy heads out there today, the stands are screaming for bodies. If you’re unsure about coming down this year - get yourself here.
Ireland and Canada got the day’s action under way, with the Irish winning a tight game 19-17.
It’s promising to be a good day. Stick with us as we capture all the colour and competition from Hong Kong Stadium.



Day 2 - here we go!

If you’re just tuning in, yesterday was a whole lot of fun. After years of Covid-19 restrictions and a lack of major sporting events, everyone was just glad to be back together. Roared onto the pitch by a fired-up home crowd – who had belted out a resounding rendition of Neil Diamond’s unofficial Sevens anthem, Sweet Caroline, before kick-off – Hong Kong looked to provide a fitting finale to a momentous day, when the city once again hosted its flagship sporting event after three and a half years away.
Catch up on all the day’s coverage below.
How sweet it is as Hong Kong Sevens brings city back to life


Catch up on day 1

Hong Kong’s late Elvis impersonator Melvis, once a familiar sight at the Sevens, will be remembered in a special tribute at today’s Sevens. A video dedicated to Melvis will be played in the Hong Kong Stadium at noon during a break in the action.
It was the brainchild of none other than Hong Kong Rugby Union chief executive Robbie McRobbie, who had known Kwok for years, and has been compiled by the co-producer of a Melvis documentary that was being filmed when Kwok died.
“I met Melvis in my early days in Hong Kong back in the early 1990s,” McRobbie said. “I was a young police officer and me and my mates thought he was brilliant. We always bumped into him in Wan Chai or Lan Kwai Fong and would get him to sing us a few numbers.”



Big-screen tribute for legend that was ‘Melvis’

Not that we want to dob you in for skipping work, but ...



Out of office?

That’s two wins from two games for Argentina in pool D. They’re looking good.
The South Americans returned to the pitch in Saturday morning’s second game and beat Kenya 26-7 with tries from Rodrigo Isgro, Agustin Fraga, and Luciano Gonzalez and Matias Osadczuk
The United States and Japan are up now.


Argentina off to a flier

Manchester City footballer Erling Haaland has been everywhere lately, scoring enough goals for two strikers, and he had the Post seeing double outside the stadium.
Wondering if the Norwegian had squeezed in a trip to Hong Kong while he was out injured, we approach and discover it’s a couple of Brighton natives, Tom Anson and Jakub Debski, who flew over from London.

Anson spent part of his childhood here and is back in town to visit his parents, who are still in Hong Kong. Debski tagged along for the Sevens.
“It’s been difficult to come here for the past three years,” Anson said. “That’s been hard, being apart from family for so long, but it’s great that the rules make it easier now.”


Haaland is here

We’re not even half way there but after the US beat Japan 35-22, Livin’ on a Prayer blasts out of the loud speakers and the South Stand erupts.
There’s a good crowd building already, and the atmosphere is rocking.



Bouncing to the Bon

Spain take a shock lead through Juan Martinez’s try in the second minute, which he converts himself.
But Iowane Teba – fresh off a hat-trick against Japan – caps off a flowing move to score under the posts, with Jose Talacolo adding the extras as Fiji hit back.
Waisea Nacuqu then crosses just before the break, with Teba converting, to make it 14-7.


Fiji firing up

Iowane Teba gets his second try of the afternoon after the restart, quickly followed by a score from Josevani Saro 10 minutes in, as Fiji began to pull away. Filipe Sauturaga is accurate from the tee for both to make it 28-7.
Spain aren’t lying back, though. They keep going to the end with two late tries from Manuel Sainz-Trapaga and Juan Martinez – who converts both.
But one more try for Fiji through Sauturaga seals a 35-21 win.



Job done for the world champs

Fiji head coach Ben Gollings was happy with what he saw in their victory over Spain.
“We built up from the last game,” he said. “They’re always tricky games – Spain are a good side, they played well, but we controlled the ball. It was a good test, and we came away with the right result.
“No injuries, which is a good thing. We had a good spread of the squad, giving people game time. I’m happy with that. A few guys stepped up. Now we’ve got a good challenge against the US next.”



Fiji in fine form

Wise men and women say only fools rush in, but the Hong Kong Stadium crowd can’t help falling in love with day two, right from the off.
At lunchtime they’re serenaded with Elvis Presley tunes from the stage, and a video tribute, in honour of the city’s late Elvis impersonator Kwok Lam-sang, also known as Melvis.

You can read our story here about how the Sevens organisers got to know this legend of Wan Chai and Lan Kwai Fong, and about the documentary being made about him.
Melvis’ family, who are here as guests, must be proud to see the stadium all shook up.


All shook up as Sevens honours Hong Kong’s Elvis

Great Britain have their first try of the weekend – and it puts them on the way to their first win.
The Brits, recently amalgamated from Wales, Scotland and England, had a tough start to life under their new banner yesterday when they were smashed 34-0 by France.
They have an equally tough task on paper today against South Africa, but they open the scoring through Jamie Barden and that puts them ahead at half-time.
It gets better for them in the second half as Alec Coombes adds another try.
JC Pretorius starts the fightback for South Africa before Ryan Oosthuizen gets their second try. The missed conversion leaves them trailing 12-10 as the full-time siren sounds.



Team Great Britain cause upset

The stadium ignites for Hong Kong’s second appearance of the weekend, against giants New Zealand.
It was a tough assignment for the home heroes on Friday as they were convincingly beaten by Australia, and this doesn’t get any easier as they face the Olympic and World Cup silver medallists.
The Kiwis get two early tries but the underdogs rally and the crowd responds, chants of “Hong Kong!” sweeping the stands.
And just before half-time, they get a try to cheer as Slalom Yiu Kam Shing goes in at the posts. The place erupts.
After Regan Ware and Amanaki Nicole get the All Blacks back in business, Hong Kong win a turnover and put Seb Brien in at the corner for 24-14.
Max Denmark’s try-saving tackle lifts the crowd again as Hong Kong defend heroically before late tries see them off 38-14. The fans don’t care, roaring their team into the sheds.


Hong Kong put up fight against Kiwis

What’s a Hong Kong Sevens experience without the South Stand?
Day 2 and the legendary atmosphere of the weird and wonderful is on full display.
“It’s so good to see everyone out. Hong Kong needs it,” says one British finance executive who is here for her first Sevens.


One group of Sevens veterans are here today to help and keep Hongkongers safe.
“We’re actually from the health department, we’re here to keep everyone safe and to make sure everyone is keeping their distance.”




Stories from the South Stand

Samoa caused a stir on Friday night when they beat New Zealand, and they prompt another today as they down Australia.
They trail the green-and-gold for much of their Pool A match but a late score levels it before a try on the hooter edges the contest 22-17.
The Australians are newly crowned World Series champions, so that’s quite a scalp for the Pacific islanders, who look a force to be reckoned with.


Samoa stun Australia

Earlier, Fiji continued their perfect start to the 2022 Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens with a 35-21 victory over Spain.
Fiji win, GB stun South Africa, Hong Kong show fight at Sevens
And Great Britain got their first win on the series with a 12-10 upset over South Africa.



Fiji see off Spain, Great Britain stun South Africa

Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline has become part of Hong Kong Sevens lore and the 20,000 odd fans in the stadium today are in full agreement.

How sweet it is. A Hong Kong Sevens classic. 🇭🇰#HK7s pic.twitter.com/BCXLNzz6Ob
— SCMP Sport (@SCMP_Sport) November 5, 2022

Spotify is also getting in on the action today and there’s a full playlist of today’s music you can listen in to.


How sweet it is: the sounds of the Sevens

It is starting to feel like a Hong Kong Sevens, with the South Stand looking jam packed – even though lots of the upper tiers are empty.
But fans are being asked to queue for three and a half hours to enter the South Stand, which is now “full”.
There are still some empty seats, but Covid-19 restrictions mean there are capacity limitations at Hong Kong Stadium this weekend.



South Stand ‘full’

The five-time defending champions are going through the gears against the USA.
It ends up 24-0. Viwa Naduvalo scored a first-half hat-trick, before Iowane Teba got in on the act again.
Three wins from three for the world champs.


Fiji keep rolling

The Irish covers band are doing an ill-advised cover of House of Pain’s Jump Around.
But they win the crowd back with a rendition of the Dropkick Murphys’ I’m Shipping Up To Boston.
Now they’re getting the South Stand going with The White Stripes.
This year, musical acts are confined to a makeshift stage in the North Stand, with no on pitch performances.
Great Britain and Uruguay are now out on the pitch.


Jump around

There’s been a lot of talk about facemasks at this year’s Sevens and how wearing - or more likely not wearing - would be managed by the authorities, who are keeping their presence felt around the stadium.
These fans have the perfect solution.




Now that’s a facemask

South Africa and France have turned up the heat tonight, but it’s South Africa who break through the French defence to put first points on the board before another quick try to take a 12-0 lead. This is one heck of a game.


A breakthrough for South Africa

Another recap: some cracking pool action has kept the masses enthralled here at Hong Kong Stadium.
There was a great result for Canada, who beat Kenya 19-14 in a see-saw match.
Another knife-edge encounter between Ireland and Argentina ended 21-17 in the favour of the Irish – showing their third place in the recent World Cup Sevens was no fluke.
And there was plenty to enjoy from both Spain and Japan before the former emerged 33-19 winners.


Canada, Ireland, Spain on song

Uruguay are a recent addition to the World Series’ core teams, and they’ve just announced themselves on that stage with an eye-catching victory, beating Great Britain.
GB sprang a surprise earlier when they earned a narrow win over South Africa, but they were on the other end of a tight game here.
The South Americans’ 19-17 win has confirmed Pool B has more than a hint of “group of death” about it.


Group of death?

France took a tight 19-17 win over South Africa in what was easily one of the standout games of the day. Both sides traded the lead several times, but it was France who stayed disciplined and took control in the final minutes.
Just two matches left. Hong Kong are up next in a huge match against Samoa. The stadium is electric tonight as Tom Jones’ classic Delilah blasts out over the speakers. This is just too good.



A French masterclass

It is deafening in the stadium as Hong Kong get over the line against Samoa to take a 5-0 lead.


Hong Kong strike first against Samoa

The mighty Max Denmark gets over the line for Hong Kong to bring the city’s side within two points of Samoa. It’s Samoa 12 to Hong Kong’s 10. What a game.



Mighty Max strikes, Hong Kong within reach

Hong Kong went down to Samoa 31-15, but they put in one heck of a performance. Salom Yiu Kam-shing and Max Denmark were spectacular and the fans were behind every single play. We are being served up some truly world-class rugby tonight.


Samoa fight back for the win

Now here’s something to warm your heart. How about this little fella cheering on the Irish.



The cutest Irish fan ever

We’re almost at the end of play and we’re going out with a bang. Australia v New Zealand. For once, the Aussies didn’t cop a shellacking as they get play under way. With two quick tries, the Aussies take a 17-7 lead over the Kiwis. We’ve got quite a game on our hands.


Final game of the day

And there we have it, Australia clinch a huge win over New Zealand to end their day on a high note. The Aussies were just too good tonight as they cruised to a 24-17 victory.


Australia take down mighty New Zealand

We’ve spent some time in the South Stand this evening and the fans are having a blast.
“This is what I imagined the Hong Kong Sevens would be,” says Brent Douglas, 36, who moved to Hong Kong from Australia in 2019. “I’m glad to experience what my friends told me about. I’m quite excited to be here.”

Graham England, who has lived in Hong Kong for 25 years and went to school here, experienced his first Sevens in 1992.
“Definitely it feels like how it used to be,” he said. “The Hong Kong Sevens is back. The South Stand feels the same. Everywhere else is a bit quieter. One thing that is different though is Hong Kong are playing better!”



‘Hong Kong Sevens is back’

They said everyone coming to the Sevens needed to bring a negative RAT...
This guy has got his on display at all times, leaving no one in doubt as to his status.



Covid compliant

Elsewhere in the world of Hong Kong rugby, men’s 15s coach Lewis Evans has announced his squad for their clash against Portugal in Dubai, as they look to qualify for the 2023 World Cup.
With the need to make a fast start, Evans has opted for a new half-back partnership of Jamie Lauder and Gregor McNeish, while the versatile Jack Neville comes in at outside centre and Sean Taylor, who has been in fine form for HK Scottish this season at full back, starts on the left wing.
Read our full report here.
Hong Kong ring changes for Portugal clash as final bid to reach World Cup begins


Evans opts for changes

That about does it for our live coverage of day 2 of the 2022 Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens.
Be sure to check back tomorrow as we bring you all of the colour and competition from the third and final day at Hong Kong Stadium.


Hong Kong Sevens 2022: crowds flock to stadium for spectacular Saturday – day 2, as it happened

All 16 teams played twice on Saturday as the pool stage reached a thrilling conclusion at Hong Kong Stadium Fans turned up in their droves and packed out the South Stand in particular as city’s flagship sporting event continued its comeback

All 16 teams played twice on Saturday as the pool stage reached a thrilling conclusion at Hong Kong Stadium

Fans turned up in their droves and packed out the South Stand in particular as city’s flagship sporting event continued its comeback