Fiji, the Hong Kong 7s defending champion for the past five years, is in a tough pool next week at So Kon Po.
The Ben Gollings-coached world 7s champion faces Japan, United States (US), and Spain in Pool C in the return of the mecca of global annual 7s tournaments from November 4-6 – next weekend.
Fiji Airways men’s 7s team assistant coach Viliame Satala earlier told The Fiji Times that the focus was to win the coveted silverware to add onto the World Cup Sevens Trophy or the Melrose Cup which they won in South Africa.
“The next biggest trophy we want to win is the Hong Kong 7s,” Satala, ‘The Stretcher,’ said after the Melrose Cup win.
Pacific neighbours Australia, the reigning World Rugby Sevens Series champion and traditional rival New Zealand are in a tougher Pool A against upcoming Samoa and hosts Hong Kong.
In Pool B are South Africa, France, Great Britain and Uruguay. Pool D – Argentina, Ireland, Kenya and Canada. Fiji plays Japan on the opening day next Friday at 8.52pm (Fiji time), v Spain at 4.15pm and against France at 8pm next Saturday.
November 6, next Sunday, will be the finals.
The Fiji squad is expected to be announced this week before departing on Sunday.
The tournament returns after two years after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fifteen teams are taking part.
If Fiji wins, it will be another record of keeping the title consecutively for six years.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong Rugby Union announced that more than 20,000 tickets had been sold indicating a sellout tournament since fans had been anticipating the return of the globe’s annual 7s carnival at Hong Kong.
Hong Kong last month relaxed its arrival protocols for travelers where international visitors no longer need to compulsorily quarantine on arrival, but can now self-monitor and test for three days before entering Hong Kong Stadium.
