After national anthem blunder, Hong Kong ready to focus on wrapping up title at final Asia Rugby Sevens Series event
- Hong Kong’s men go into final round of matches in the United Arab Emirates having yet to lose a game
- But coach Jevon Groves says he has yet to see ‘a complete performance’ and wants that to change this weekend
Hong Kong will hope to put the furore surrounding the national anthem blunder behind them this weekend, when the Asia Rugby Sevens Series makes its final stop in Abu Dhbai.
The men’s second successive victory of the series in Korea was completely overshadowed by the playing of the wrong song before the final, a game where they beat the hosts 19-12.
All but assured of retaining their men’s overall title in the city of Al Ain, Hong Kong have handed senior debuts to Pat Joe Laidler and Juan Mba Oyana, whose sister Julia is a member of the women’s team, and recalled Max Denmark to the squad.
But despite their dominance of the past two tournaments in Bangkok and Incheon, Hong Kong coach Jevon Groves said he had yet to see “a complete performance” from his side.
“We know that all of the teams will be the best version of themselves this weekend, having been together and been training and playing together across the series,” he said.
“The challenge for us is to avoid complacency, remember the hard work that got us to this position, and to go out and find a complete performance where we control games from minute one to minute 14. I don’t think that we have done that yet this series, so that is the goal.”
Hong Kong have again made five changes to the group that competed in Korea, with Fong Kit-fung and Eric Kwok Pak-nga coming in alongside Laidler, Mba Oyana and Denmark.
Their inclusion means Michael Coverdale, Harry Sayers, Liam Doherty, Salom Yiu Kam-shing and Mak Kwai-chung miss out.
