Hong Kong sevens head coach Groves says no ‘knee-jerk’ reactions to Olympics miss, challenges men to make history in 2024
- Jevon Groves says no senior members of the squad opted to retire after defeat in final of Asia regional qualifier to Japan
- Hong Kong’s path to Olympics now goes through repechage, while sevens glory also lies in reaching World Series
Jevon Groves said the chance to break new ground in the 2024 World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series was the perfect way for Hong Kong’s men to put their Olympics failure behind them.
Two late tries in a 21-14 defeat to Japan last month has left Hong Kong needing to go through the repechage tournament to qualify for the Paris Games in July, but with the likes of South Africa and Great Britain also contesting the single spot available, the chances of Groves’ team progressing are slim.
Still, 2023 has been a bumper year for Hong Kong’s men, who defended their Asian Games title, while success at October’s Asia Rugby Sevens Series leg secured a spot in the challenger series, which begins next month in Dubai.
Groves had expected a “knee-jerk reaction” from a handful of senior players following the Olympic frustration, but no squad member has expressed a desire to quit.
He will nonetheless “freshen up the team and try different combinations” when Hong Kong, who have been grouped alongside Georgia, Uruguay and Papua New Guinea in the 12-team competition, go to the United Arab Emirates in January.
“We will have to vary our tactics across a short space of time,” Groves said. “Georgia are direct and physical, PNG play high-risk, high-reward rugby, and Uruguay have caused us problems with their kicking game and set-piece.
