Hong Kong Sevens firsts: 45 years of landmarks, from birth to Waisale Serevi to Covid
- As the countdown to the first Hong Kong Sevens in three years continues, the Post chronicles a multitude of milestones from its colourful history
- From the inaugural Sevens in 1976 through a change of venue to the feats of serial winners Fiji and New Zealand, the highlights kept coming
On March 28, 1976, some 3,000 curious fans turned up to watch a modest, one-day event that would go on to reshape rugby in Asia, and arguably the world.
Entrance was free and 12 teams took part: the Wallaroos, Fiji, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Tonga, South Korea, Singapore, Cantabrians, Japan, Indonesia and Thailand.
Hong Kong Sevens is born
The then Hong Kong Rugby Union chairman and Sevens co-founder Arthur Donnison Cooley “Tokkie” Smith would prove farsighted about the impact it could have.
“It was the most colourful day of sport that I have ever seen,” he said of the first Sevens. “One that put Hong Kong on the international sporting map.”
The venue was Hong Kong Football Club in Happy Valley – its pitch situated across the road from its present site, with one main stand along its northern touchline and a clubhouse behind the eastern try line.
