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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.
What a finale on day three of the Hong Kong Sevens.
In the women’s competition, New Zealand faced old rivals Australia at 7.40pm, in a showdown most people predicted. And the Kiwis triumphed with a hard-fought 26-17 win.
Then, in the men’s Cup final, New Zealand made it a double delight, stunning Fiji with a first-half onslaught that proved too much for the perennial favourites to overcome.
Hong Kong’s men, meanwhile, triumphed in the Shield final against Canada, ending the weekend with two big wins that sent So Kon Po into a frenzy.
Catch up on all of the action here – as well as all of the reaction.
Reporting by Nic Atkin, Josh Ball, Tom Bell, Oscar Liu and Matthew Scott


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Hong Kong Sevens

Hong Kong Sevens 2023 live: New Zealand win women’s and men’s Cup final double – as it happened

The men’s and women’s New Zealand rugby sevens teams celebrate after victory at the 2023 Hong Kong Sevens. Photo: Elson Li

Sport

Rugby

HK Sevens

Kiwis secure double delight in men’s and women’s competitions as Sevens reaches thrilling conclusion
Fiji falter again in the men’s final, while hosts win the Shield final to the delight of Hong Kong Stadium


Kiwis claim an incredible double on day 3 of the 2023 Hong Kong Sevens, as hosts’ men win Shield final.


Hong Kong Sevens: As it happened

Fiji

Live

It’s the final day of this year’s Hong Kong Sevens, and it looks like we might finish as we started, in the rain.
There’s been a damp drizzle for most of the past two days and it doesn’t look like that’s going to change any time soon.
That probably explains the smattering of fans rattling around the stadium for the early games.


Welcome to day 3

We’re already under way this morning, and the first game of the day was Ireland v Canada in the men’s 9th place quarter-final.
If you’re wondering why the Sevens seems to go on forever, that might help explain it. For the record, Ireland just won 17-0.
The more important games are coming up at around 10am, with New Zealand taking on Fiji in the first of the cup quarter-finals, while Hong Kong face Australia in their battle to finish ninth at 9.39am.


<![CDATA[// ><!]]>

What’s coming up

To suggest that the South Stand is empty would be to do a disservice to the nothingness of space, but I guess it’s still quite early.
I just hope the bars of Wan Chai and Lan Kwai Fong benefited from the extra business last night.
They don’t know what they’re missing. Uruguay just saw off Japan 40-0.



Where is everyone?

It’s still early and not many are in the stadium yet, but those who are will need to rouse themselves shortly – as should you if you’re reading at home.
Hong Kong’s men’s team play in a few minutes’ time, against Australia, who were sensationally knocked out of the Cup yesterday and now find themselves contesting the minor places.
The local lads have been responsible for several of the standout moments of the first two days, so stand by.
In the meantime, Samoa have just beaten Kenya 26-7.


Hong Kong men face Aussies

Have we just heard the return of the booing of Aussies?
At last November’s Sevens, perhaps because they’d gone 34 years without winning the Hong Kong tournament, they seemed to have cast off their villainous image of old – even when beating crowd faves Fiji for their long-awaited triumph.
Previously, they tended to be booed here, going back to some star names and roughhouse tactics in the 80s.
They score first here and Nathan Lawson takes his time touching down. Not cricket, and the crowd don’t like it one bit. Boo!



Boo! Yes, you, Australia

Further scores follow for the green-and-gold, from Lawson again and Henry Paterson, deflating Hong Kong somewhat after they had a spell in the Aussies’ half.
But the hosts have made a habit of digging deep in these sorts of situations all tournament, and look reignited when Liam Herbert finishes off an attack to bring it back to 17-5.


Try for Hong Kong!

Australia captain Nick Malouf goes in for a last try and it finishes 22-5.
The scoreline is unflattering to Hong Kong’s efforts. But as they are discovering at World Series level, what look like small margins add up to a significant gap to bridge against this calibre of opposition.
Still, that has woken the crowd up.



Reality check for hosts

Not to demean any of the teams who played before now, but the format for the minor placings is not the clearest or most gripping.
Now we’re into the serious stuff: the men’s Cup quarter-finals.
First up it’s New Zealand v Argentina. The South Americans arrived here as potential contenders, having won the last tournament on the circuit, in Vancouver. And the Kiwis lead the season standings.


Serious stuff

Some outstanding New Zealand defence keeps Argentina at bay early on and their work-rate pays off when they eventually see some ball.
Leroy Carter, Sione Molia and Akuila Rokolisoa give them a healthy lead, with Matías Osadczuk replying in between.
Tomas Lizazu then gets another back, but Xavier Harris extends the Kiwis’ lead and that’s it done, New Zealand through to the semis by 24-10.



New Zealand into semis

The Spaniards have been one of the surprise packages of this Sevens, beating USA and threatening to upset Australia before scraping into these quarter-finals by virtue of the Americans taking out the Aussies.
Now that they’re here, they’re keen to make it count, and they storm into the lead against France.
Antoine Zeghdar and Jordan Sepho cancel out tries by Spain’s Josep Serres and Alejandro Laforgo, however, and it’s 14 apiece at the siren.
Gosh – for the first time this weekend, we’re going to need extra time to separate the sides.


Spain seizing their moment

Golden-point extra time – where whoever scores next wins – adds a welcome bit of spice to the morning.
Although not so much if you’re Spanish, because it’s a brutal way to have your tournament hopes snuffed out.
William Iraguha gets that all-important next score to mean that it’s France who live to fight the semi-finals. Spain meet an abrupt and bitter end.

Extra-time joy for France and extra-time heartbreak for Spain
William Iraguha sends his team into the semi-finals at #HK7s #HSBC7s | @FranceRugby pic.twitter.com/CPO1pL2EEf
— World Rugby 7s (@WorldRugby7s) April 2, 2023



France survive sudden death

Fiji’s quarter-final is next, against South Africa. Last November, a last-play try by Australia denied the Fijians what would have been a sixth Hong Kong crown in a row.
The Pacific islanders should perhaps have closed that game out, and they’ll be desperate to be in that final tonight to put it right. So it’s do or die now against South Africa.
And they concede first, when Shaun Williams wiggles through a crack in their defence to put South Africa ahead. Iowane Teba gets Fiji on the board but they reach half-time 7-5 down.
The next seven minutes will go a long way to shaping how we remember this Sevens.


Much at stake for Fiji

Napolioni Bolaca crosses the line for Fiji’s second try, so they hold a slim 10-7 advantage with both their conversions missed.
In the end, they are relieved to run the clock down and boot the ball into touch at the hooter.
They’ve not looked quite their usual selves this weekend, Fiji, particularly early in matches. But they have done what is necessary.

Kicked to perfection 👌
Napolioni Bolaca's try helps send @fijirugby to the semi-finals! 🇫🇯 @DHLRugby | #ImpactMoment pic.twitter.com/08eqgZSwjv
— World Rugby 7s (@WorldRugby7s) April 2, 2023



Fiji... are still in Hong Kong hunt

The last men’s Cup quarter-final features USA, who caused such a stir on Saturday by knocking out defending champions Australia.
Facing a Great Britain side who have gone slightly under the radar so far, they slip two tries behind as Robbie Fergusson and Will Homer cross. Marcus Tupuola gets one back on the stroke of half-time.

That try by Morgan Williams has sent @GBRugbySevens into the #HK7S semi-final👏#HSBC7S pic.twitter.com/lVdzeqApyW
— World Rugby 7s (@WorldRugby7s) April 2, 2023

Morgan Williams puts GB out of reach before Joe Schroeder’s consolation makes it 21-10. So that’s the men’s semis line-up settled:
France v New Zealand and Fiji v Great Britain.


<![CDATA[// ><!]]>

USA bow out

Mana Furuta from Tokyo is back at the Hong Kong Sevens for the first time in seven years.
She’s come with her friends, and they’ve all dressed up as characters from Japanese anime Dragon Ball Z.
“Seven years ago, I came to Hong Kong to play as a youth representative of Japan in a tournament,” says the 25-year-old administrative officer.
“The vibe here is amazing – especially because people are taking off their masks and enjoying the games and fresh air at the same time.”



Return of the Dragon

Japan’s tournament ends with a 19-12 loss to Canada in the first 13th-place semi-final.
And before you query whether the 13th-place semi is a big deal, let us stop you right there, because Hong Kong are in the other one, versus Kenya, and that’s coming up now. Up goes the volume again.


Sayonara Japan, hello Hong Kong

There’s pandemonium as Seb Brien scores first for Hong Kong.
That tells you how invested the spectators are in their hometown heroes, even with today’s crowd yet to fully fill out.

Talk about determination! 🔥
Seb Brien, take a bow! 👏#HK7s | #HSBC7s pic.twitter.com/UBAYkIp6RF
— World Rugby 7s (@WorldRugby7s) April 2, 2023

“Hong Kong!” rings the arena once more.
Can the hosts get their first World Series win here since 2013?



This one matters

With the news that next year’s Hong Kong Sevens may not even feature the hosts, the Post took to the stands to canvas opinion among residents.
Speaking to 30 fans, 25 of them said they will still come to watch even if Hong Kong are not playing in the men’s or women’s competitions.
Josiah Yeung, a 19-year-old college student, says sports events are all about soaking up the the vibe.
“I understand the stadium is not full but still people are having a good time. You can hear the support from the audience even if their favourite teams aren’t the ones scoring,” Yeung says.

Jake Smith, who started playing rugby when he was 12, shares the same thought.
“If you’re a rugby fan and into the sport, it doesn’t matter what teams participate. Sportsmanship is everything and you can see respect between the players of the opposing teams,” says the 16 year-old high school student, who moved from Boston to Hong Kong when he was 3.
But Cheung Yu-hang says it will mean less if the Hong Kong teams are not involved.
“The event is called the Hong Kong Sevens. The Hong Kong team needs to be here to be a part of it. It’s a platform to support Hong Kong athletes,” the 32-year-old IT consultant says.


A Hong Kong Sevens without Hong Kong?

Alvin Otieno bounces off several tacklers to get a try for Kenya, but after half-time Seb Brien does superbly to dot down with an outstretched arm for his second. He’s been one of the stars of the weekend.
Now, can the hosts register that first victory they’re so desperate for?
The ball is hacked ahead and Hong Kong’s Russell Webb gets there to fall on the bobbling ball and score! It is deafening here in the West Stand. That’s 19-5: do our eyes deceive us?

Further roars greet a couple of penalties that go the hosts’ way, and they are so close now with 90 seconds left.
Jeff Oluoch eventually scores for Kenya, but the siren has already sounded. Hong Kong have done it! 19-10.

🗣️ "There's nothing better!"
Joy for Hong Kong, China as they seal their first home win since 2013! 👏#HSBC7s | #HK7s pic.twitter.com/5uHk8TgIhB
— World Rugby 7s (@WorldRugby7s) April 2, 2023



Home side get a win

After an understandably slow start, the stands are starting to fill up on the third and final day of the 2023 Hong Kong Sevens.
And that means the costumes are back in full flow.
Here’s a selection of the standouts that our intrepid snapper spotted.



Looking fancy

It may just be a 9th-place semi-final, but Uruguay and Ireland are really going for it here.
Ireland lead 12-7 at the break following Andrew Smith’s double, after Mateo Vinals had given the South Americans the lead.
Breakaway tries from Jordon Conroy, Jack Kelly, and Harry McNulty – who performs a celebratory dive in front of the North Stand – help stretch Ireland’s lead to 31-7 in the second half.

Jordan Conroy with all the pace and power on display at 7s 💨#HSBC7S | #HK7S pic.twitter.com/PkWXOJypGn
— World Rugby 7s (@WorldRugby7s) April 2, 2023



Ireland on song

That’s it, Ireland wrap up the victory against Uruguay, running out 31-7 winners.
They will later meet the winner of the other 9th-place semi-final between Samoa and 2022 champs Argentina, which is up next.
Then we’ll be switching back to the women’s competition briefly.


One more men’s game to go

Australia are looking to salvage some pride here, after a shock early exit at the Pool stage, with 9th place the best they can do.
But Samoa strike first in this semi-final after some neat hands set up Tuna Tuitama to run in down the left.

There is no stopping Darby Lancaster 🔥#HSBC7S | #HK7S pic.twitter.com/MMQrs545CM
— World Rugby 7s (@WorldRugby7s) April 2, 2023

The response is quick, though. Darby Lancaster also gets in down the left wing to level it at 5-5, with Dietrich Roache’s kick wayward.
some excellent last-ditch tackles stop Australia going over just after the hooter, but they can’t be denied, and Hayden Sargeant bundles the ball down for the lead at the break. Roache can’t miss and it’s 12-5.



Pride on the line

Samoa get back in it with 10 minutes gone as Vaa Apelu Maliko goes over in the corner, but the angle is too tight from the left for the conversion.
The Pacific islanders persist with the pressure, and get reward with just over a minute to go.
Australia are defending for their lives on the left side, but Samoa switch it right and Maliko runs in again to give his side a 15-12 lead. That’s the way it ends.
A tough weekend for Australia. Samoa will play Ireland for the Bowl at 5.05pm.



Samoa send Aussies home

That caps a busy morning and early afternoon of men’s matches on day 3.
Here’s our handy schedule to keep up to date with all the results, fixtures, and remaining kick-off times.
Back to the women now – Ireland and France in a 5th place semi-final.


<![CDATA[// ><!]]>

Over to the women

France’s women take the lead in their 5th place semi thanks to Lili Dezou’s fourth minute score.
But the Irish come back into it, and Eva Higgins goes over just before the break.
The kick is good from Lucy Mulhall, and Ireland lead 7-5.



Ireland in front

France are straight back in it after the restart, though. Chloe Pelle crosses and Caroline Drouin’s kick is good – 12-7.
Lili Dezou soon finds a gap for her second score after a quick change of step wrong foots the Irish defence, and suddenly Les Bleus are running away with it.

A beauty of a score by @FranceRugby!
The men's team were loving that Lili Dezou try 🤝 #HK7s | #HSBC7s pic.twitter.com/8HFJ369Hm6
— World Rugby 7s (@WorldRugby7s) April 2, 2023

But Ireland stay in it as Megan Burns bursts through the middle, with Lucy Mulhall landing the kick to cut the deficit to 5 points.
Ireland push for another try as the hooter sends, a kick through the middle is chased down. But France snatch it up and feed it wide to Seraphine Okemba, who turns on the afterburners and runs nearly the length of the whole pitch to ensure a 26-14 victory in style when she could have just kicked it out.
They are now in the 5th place play-off, and will face the winner of our next match between USA and Canada, who are running onto the pitch now.

From one end to the other Seraphine Okemba pulls off a screamer for @FranceRugby 😱#HSBC7S | #HK7S pic.twitter.com/jAeROTC2Ik
— World Rugby 7s (@WorldRugby7s) April 2, 2023



Seraphine seals win in style

It’s the USA vs Canada for a place in the fifth-place play-off, where France await the winner.
And Cheta Emba puts the Americans ahead against their neighbours to the north, with Nicole Heavirland adding the extras for 7-0.
Some brilliant covering tackles stop Canada going over down the right, but they switch it and Piper Logan barges through the middle to score. All level at half time.



Old rivalry resumes

It’s a tight battle out there, and Canada get the edge when Olivia Apps goes over with 3 minutes left, and she converts her own try.
Can they hold on?
Yes, yes they can. The Americans are pushing late on, but Canada see it through – 14-7.
Canada will play France later in the women’s 5th place play-off. The USA will fight for 7th place against Ireland.
Here’s all the up-to-date results and schedule for the women’s competition, which is going to take another break now.


<![CDATA[// ><!]]>

Oh, Canada

Tomas Elizalde opens the scoring for Argentina in the first half of this men’s 5th place semi-final, going over down the left after 5 minutes.
There’s enough time for them to double the lead through Luciano Gonzalez just before the break.
Joaquin Pellandini’s kick is good, and it’s 12-0. Long way back for Spain.

It's @lospumas7arg who strike first! 💥#HSBC7S | #HK7S pic.twitter.com/a5hpSJXD1g
— World Rugby 7s (@WorldRugby7s) April 2, 2023



Spain up against it

There’s been no shortage of paper aeroplanes gliding around the Hong Kong Stadium airspace this weekend.
More make their final approach to the pitch right now, so let’s drill down into that with some analysis. No, really.
Here are a couple we’ve collected. In terms of artistic merit, these designs really “fly” – classics of the genre. Engineering-wise, less so. Having watched them make emergency landings in the press box, we cannot in good conscience grant full safety certification.
But what the Post really wants to know is why we keep seeing aircraft with handwriting on their fuselage. We were hoping for some juicy diary confessions. A closer look reveals these to be two people’s French homework.



Analysis: paper planes

Not the most entertaining match.
But Argentina keep pushing throughout the second half for a third try, and they get their reward in added time through Rodrigo Isgro in the left corner.
It finishes 19-0, and Argentina ease into the Plate final. They will face the winner of the next men’s match between South Africa and USA.



Argentina into Plate final

The other men’s fifth-place semi-final is a bit livelier.
Christie Grobbelaar twice puts South Africa in front. Lucas Lacamp’s try and Steve Tomasin’s conversion had briefly given the USA a first-half lead.
South Africa lead 12-7, and it’s all to play for in the second half.


South Africa in front

Second-half tries from Tiaan Pretorious, Ethan James, and Donovon Don make sure of things. It finishes 31-7.
South Africa will face Argentina for the Plate at 5.55pm. That should be a tasty one.

Ethan James making his mark! ✅#HSBC7S | #HK7S pic.twitter.com/dIcCDVDW44
— World Rugby 7s (@WorldRugby7s) April 2, 2023

Back to the women again, now.
It’s Cup semi-finals time. Australia vs Great Britain, and New Zealand vs Fiji.


Plate final set

Not quite the mauling some expected in the first half here.
Great Britain are holding their own, with Australia only 7-0 up at the break of their women’s Cup semi-final.
Charlotte Caslick with the try after four minutes, converted by Teagan Levi.

Quick footwork from Charlotte Caslick 👌#HSBC7S | #HK7S pic.twitter.com/a8q9NLvLCI
— World Rugby 7s (@WorldRugby7s) April 2, 2023



Australia edge closer to final

OK, now they’re running away with it.
Teagan Levi bursts down the right wing before swinging around and crossing the try line to set up an easy kick for herself.
Maddison Levi then gets in on the sister act with a breakaway try down the middle, and kicker Dominique du Toit gratefully obliges to make it 21-0.

Sensational attacking skills from Maddison Levi👏#HSBC7S | #HK7S pic.twitter.com/MUeZFge91H
— World Rugby 7s (@WorldRugby7s) April 2, 2023

GB get a consolation through Jasmine Joyce, but this is Australia’s game. Into the Cup final they go.
Will it be New Zealand or Fiji they meet? We’re about to find out.



Sister act

First blood to New Zealand against Fiji.
It’s Michael Blyde who puts them in front – much the chagrin of the scores of Fijian fans who have travelled and are cheering them on here.
They’re in again down the left through Stacey Waaka, and at 12-0 it’s already looking like a Kiwi-Aussie women’s final, as most predicted.

World-class in attack. World-class in defence
Michaela Blyde getting the job done for her team#HK7s | #ImpactMoment | @DHLRugby pic.twitter.com/ml3vq1WiqR
— World Rugby 7s (@WorldRugby7s) April 2, 2023

A couple of late breakaway runs for Fiji in the first half but New Zealand chase them down both times.
Jorja Miller then gets away and saunters to the try line for NZ’s third. it’s 19-0, and game over, surely.



Kiwis flying

It seems like everyone’s woken up after yesterday’s antics, with the South Stand filling up nicely again.
This, despite a persistent drizzle that we seemingly haven’t been able to shake all weekend.
The whole stadium is filling up again, actually. And it’s getting loud. Bring it on.



Back in business


Now, this may be a bit meta, but here’s a post within a post about repeated blogging of repeated use of Sevens outfits.
Meet these South Stand regulars who tell us they’ve been dressing like this since 2009. We believe them, after historical social posts emerge.
When our SCMP colleague Sam Agars – in the blog a few years ago – called out the very same guys for reusing their costumes, he may have predicted he would see the cozzies again, but surely not his own words being remixed.
Since Sam, without fear or favour, asked tough questions of the group, they’ve doubled down and owned it. We’ll do the same with our journalism.



It never gets old

This is becoming a procession for the Kiwis.
Porcia Woodman-Witckliffe goes over on the left after three minutes of the second half. She soon gets her second, and New Zealand’s fifth try. Conversion is good and it’s 31-0.

The acceleration from Portia Woodman-Wickliffe 💨 @nz_sevens #HSBC7S | #HK7S pic.twitter.com/Mq5Y6YypIa
— World Rugby 7s (@WorldRugby7s) April 2, 2023

Fiji have just been outclassed. But they get a late try as Ana Maria Naimasi accelerates through and shrugs off a late tackle to put the ball down. It ends up 31-5.
New Zealand will face Australia in the women’s Cup final at 7.40pm. Fiji will play Great Britain for bronze.



Trans-Tasman showdown, it is

New Zealand’s men are looking just as dominant s their women in the early stages.
Only two minutes are gone when Lewis Ormond puts them 5-0 up against France in their Cup semi-final.
But France show some fight, and keep pushing forward. Stephen Perez Edo Martin grabs the ball from a ruck and sprints forward, before offloading to Varian Pasquet, who squeaks through and stretches an arm out to touch down just before the break.
Paulin Riva’s conversion gives France the lead. Have we got a shock on the cards here?

France in full flow 🔥 #HSBC7S | #HK7S pic.twitter.com/EvmVSeRzHF
— World Rugby 7s (@WorldRugby7s) April 2, 2023



Upset brewing?

France are holding their own here, as New Zealand look to save their title dream.
Finally the pressure tells and Ngarohi McGarvey-Black breaks through the French defence. They now lead 12-7, as Tepaea Savage lands his kick.
France aren’t done, though. they push for a leveller, and the Kiwis are forced to dig deep with some big tackles just in front of their try line.
Smiles all around when they’re able to kick it out. New Zealand’s double delight is on. Will the men play Fiji or Britain? The other semi is up next.


Double delight is on

Wow, we didn’t see this coming. Great Britain break the deadlock against Fiji.
Surely it couldn’t happen?
Robbie Fergusson rides a tackle to touch down after three minutes and the kick is good for 7-0 in this second men’s Cup semi-final.

A strong start for @GBRugbySevens!
Robbie Fergusson opens the scoring!#HSBC7s | #HK7s pic.twitter.com/WJqNSJLm38
— World Rugby 7s (@WorldRugby7s) April 2, 2023



Fiji in trouble?

Fiji are being frustrated so far in the first half against GB.
The half-time hooter sounds, and Britain are looking good. But a brilliant offload to Waisea Nacuqu and he’s away down the left, curving around to touch down by the posts.
The kick is all too easy and it’s 7-7 at the break.
a tough blow for GB, who have looked excellent so far.


Late leveller

Perhaps it was never in doubt. Fiji go ahead for the first time as Viwa Naduvalo goes over two minutes after the restart.
But hold the phone! The upset is back on. Tom Williams bursts clear and sets up an easy conversion for Kaleem Barreto. It’s 14-14.


On a knife edge

Great Britain are fighting for their lives here. They’ve got a late penalty and are threatening a sensational upset in added time – but they lose the ball just short of the try line!
Fiji breaks free and charge up the field but GB get back just in time, and it’s knocked on. Oh my word, what a crazy end to normal time.
It’s sudden death.

"What a score that is!" 🔥
Tom Williams pulls out the speed boast for @GBRugbySevens!#HSBC7s | #HK7s pic.twitter.com/w2Vig7FGAl
— World Rugby 7s (@WorldRugby7s) April 2, 2023



It goes to sudden death

There’s only going to be one way to follow this frantic finish.
Hong Kong are on next to play in their final.


And it’s Hong Kong next

After a few more seconds of glorious, error-ridden chaos, Fiji win a penalty upfield.
GB are holding them out one-on-one, but when big Joseva Talacolo keeps a cool head to spin out of a tackle and switch play to the right, Terio Tamani steps over to score the winner for Fiji.
He nearly blows it with an extravagant swallow dive, though.

When the replay is shown on the big screen, everyone thinks he’s gone out of play before grounding. The officials re-watch it and he’s just safely inside the line.
Like everything else about that semi-final, it was so, so close.

As close as it gets!📏
Fiji advance to the final in the most dramatic style!😰#HK7s | #HSBC7s pic.twitter.com/C9HTFr2keK
— World Rugby 7s (@WorldRugby7s) April 2, 2023



Fiji are through!

The home side have kicked off in their 13th-place final against Canada, and the ball is worked right for Liam Herbert to release Mak Kwai-chung to score.
And the stadium goes berserk.

South Stand going wild for Hong Kong in the Shield final 🇭🇰 #HK7s pic.twitter.com/LJ40GLeLOZ
— Nicolas Atkin (@NicoSCMP) April 2, 2023

Herbert fancies some try-scoring action of his own, evidently. He slips off Canada’s Thomas Isherwood to burst through the centre, and hares all the way to the posts. Pandemonium again.
There’s then a dash of fury when HK’s Russell Webb is tripped quite blatantly by Josiah Morra, who is sin-binned for it. It’s 12-0 at half-time.



Try to HK – and another

This just gets better and better, as far as Hong Kong Stadium is concerned.
Don’t forget, those who bought tickets this year were almost all Hong Kong residents.

There's no stopping Max Denmark🤩#HSBC7s | #HK7s pic.twitter.com/kyGlTHj5Pi
— World Rugby 7s (@WorldRugby7s) April 2, 2023

The home heroes are giving the gallery what it wants.
Max Denmark gives Isherwood the slip on the left flank and gallops all the way to the try-line. It’s 17-0 and Hong Kong are threatening another score, too.



Hosts blaze into lead

Matt Oworu gets a try back for Canada, but this is all over.
17-7 is the margin as Hong Kong scale their Everest. It’s the 13th-place final, but never mind that: right now it feels like the Cup. And it’s gone to the hosts.
You wouldn’t have thought that Fiji-GB game could be topped. For atmos, and actually execution on the big occasion, it just was. Moment of the day.



Hong Kong rule Hong Kong

The Hong Kong players have begun a well-earned lap of honour here, and they may be some time.
Everyone wants a piece of them – including the Post – after that sensational 17-7 victory over Canada just now in the 13th-place play-off.
Let’s stop calling it that, for a little while at least. It’s also known as the Shield. Or just “the final” will do for us.
The women’s competition has resumed with Ireland playing USA in the seventh-place play-off, but it’s hard to get up for that right now. Everyone’s just trying to get their breath back.



Lap of honour

After the highs of watching Hong Kong beat Canada, everyone gets a breather as USA’s women take on Ireland in their seventh place play-off game.
In an evenly matched first half, the two sides swap tries, with Cheta Emba giving the Americans an early lead. Eve Higgins levels things up, before Lucy Mulhall slots the conversion to send Ireland in 7-5 up at the break.
The US took control in the second half, and two tries from Ariana Ramsey put them 15-7, before Higgins scored underneath the posts after the hooter had sounded, and it finished 15-14.


Coming down

The Post isn’t the sort to Instagram their dinner... but here’s our dinner, to refuel before these big finals to come.
A two-for-one offer on pies is rumoured (huge if true) and then confirmed. With not many other veggie options available in the stadium, the famished Post doesn’t need to be asked twice.
OK, so one of the pies bit the dust before the photoshoot, sorry.
We suggest you do similarly because the Sevens action has been gripping, energy-sapping stuff. That was a double helping of drama there from Fiji then Hong Kong.



That was Sevens pie

After the women come up just short, Ireland’s men just do the business against Samoa in their ninth place play-off.
A Jordan Conroy double, after Jack Kelly’s early score, powers them to a 19-12 lead, only for Paul Scanlan to score right at the death for Samoa.
The conversion goes wide and Ireland win 19-17.


Irish triumph, just

It’s not been the easiest of weekends for Canada. On the end of two thumpings at the hands of New Zealand on Saturday, they’ve been comfortably beaten by France in their fifth place play-off.
France scored early and often in the first half, with Lili Dezou’s first minute effort paving the way for a 15-0 lead at the break.
The game finishes 22-12.

"Not today!" 😤#HK7s | #HSBC7s pic.twitter.com/WrF7yZYS5S
— World Rugby 7s (@WorldRugby7s) April 2, 2023



Win for France

Argentina’s men finish as Plate winners after a very tight affair with South Africa.
It’s 0-0 going into the final minutes, until Joaquin Pellandini goes over late on, before converting his own try.
Ricardo Duarttee crosses late on for South Africa but the angle is too wide for the kick, and Argentina see it through.


Argentina win men’s Plate

Hong Kong’s players are in the stadium tunnel absolutely elated.
They have just completed the world’s longest lap of honour – that’s unverified, but we’ll go with it. They must have participated in more selfies than in their entire lives up to now. And they are reflecting on a job well done.

“Yes, that has to be a record for selfies,” says Seb Brien, who got one of the tries in the semi-final. He tells us he just wants to prolong the moment to “soak it all up”, and reckons Hong Kong’s performances today show they are “developing our attitude as a team”.
We’d say that attitude is about being proactive, seizing the day and showing they belong at this level.


Home heroes on selfie duty

The stage is being well and truly set now for these big finals to come. Pyrotechnics, booming music and not many spare spots in the good seats.
Next is the women’s bronze final, Fiji v Great Britain.



Business end

Great Britain are quick out of the blocks here in this bronze final. Jasmine Joyce and Lisa Thomson burst through for early tries to rack up a comfortable lead, before Meredani Qoro replies as we reach the interval at 10-5.
Viniana Riwai’s try puts Fiji in front. It could yet be a pretty good night for their nation, with a chance here and the men playing in the Cup final later.
In a topsy-turvy encounter, Joyce recaptures the lead for GB then Ilisapeci Delaiwau looks like giving Fiji the spoils with seconds left.
But remarkably, in the last play of the game, Isla Norman-Bell dives in at the corner to steal it 22-19 for the Brits.


Bronze for Brits

We’re not sure how many more levels of hyping are possible for this men’s bronze final and the two Cup finals, after the fire cannon earlier.
They could do worse, if they need a hype man, than bring back the guy we saw doing backflips and somersaults along the in-goal area in front of the North Stand yesterday.
A little digging has revealed him to be stunt performer Ryan Hanson. The 32-year-old choreographer, dancer and DJ from Los Angeles went down a storm, so let’s hope we see more from him at some point.
Or, you could simply launch “Sweet Caroline” and let the fans take it from there. Which is what the stadium DJ reaches for, dropping a solid-gold Sevens hit as Great Britain and France prepare for their bronze battle.



Hong Kong Sevens 2023 live: New Zealand win women’s and men’s Cup final double – as it happened

Kiwis secure double delight in men’s and women’s competitions as Sevens reaches thrilling conclusion Fiji falter again in the men’s final, while hosts win the Shield final to the delight of Hong Kong Stadium

Kiwis secure double delight in men’s and women’s competitions as Sevens reaches thrilling conclusion

Fiji falter again in the men’s final, while hosts win the Shield final to the delight of Hong Kong Stadium