Squeezed out of our own event: World Rugby restricts media from Hong Kong Sevens ceremonies
Governing body delivers slap in the face of the people who helped make the Sevens a success, then grants access
There are many ways freedom of the press is abused and World Rugby rubbed the media up the wrong way yesterday, especially the local ones who have supported, promoted and defended the Hong Kong Sevens for decades. An announcement before the finals that the media were not allowed to photograph the winning teams when they lift the various trophies, because it seems the television people have priority, didn’t go down well, especially with the SCMP.
We were initially banished from directly in front of the Hong Kong Rugby Union box to the sides of the pitch for the five finals – Cup, Plate, Bowl, Shield and the World Series qualifier. It was a real slap in the face. The tournament that started it all, that enabled World Rugby to launch its World Series, was treating the people who help promote it shoddily.
Access to shooting vantage points has become increasingly restricted with it almost impossible to photograph the players running out of the tunnel and on to the pitch.
While the Hong Kong Rugby Union stayed quiet, World Rugby came to their senses and gave our photographers access but the damage had been done. Nazvi Careem
It’s Sunday . . . and that belongs to Fiji
Sunday, brilliant Sunday. This tournament was flat and fairly forgettable, if we’re honest, until the final day. Every game in the Cup was a cracker. Fiji were magnificent in every match, beating Canada, Australia and South Africa for an 84-12 aggregate.
The USA were terrific, with the thrillingly fast Perry Baker scoring in every game. They were very unlucky not to reach the final, losing in extra time to South Africa. New Zealand, the Aussies and the Blitzboks all treated us to some wonderful action.
