bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

sponsorType

authorLocations

authors

paywallTypes

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

socialHeadline

headline

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

publishedDate

additionalInfoBoxes

images

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

createdDate

sponsor

factSheets

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

copyrighted

customTimezone

liveContents

Paul McNamara

Head coach Jevon Groves has “backed off” his battle-weary players, as Hong Kong prepare for the “huge ask” of trying to win this weekend’s Olympic repechage tournament in Monaco.
Groves’ side has been on the go since August, and last month suffered heartache when a narrow Challenger Series loss to Germany in Munich cost them a place at Madrid’s season-ending grand finals.
The past 10 months have featured an Asian Games gold medal as well as the pain of missing Olympic qualification after a last-gasp defeat by Japan.
Groves said his side had only themselves to blame for not doing better against Japan, and consequently being plunged into a loaded field competing for the single remaining spot in Paris.
“The boys have been going a long time, and played a lot of tough tournaments,” Groves said.
“It has started to show in preparation [for the repechage], and in the emotional motivation trying to get up for these tournaments.
“They wouldn’t need any motivation to play in the Olympics. That would be about the experience. But if we don’t qualify, a break is needed for a month or two, to rest and recharge.”

Groves acknowledged his players were flattened by losing to Germany, when victory was a gateway to potential qualification for the elite HSBC SVNS Series.
“I had to back off them [between Germany and Monaco], in terms of the level and volume of training, and have given them far more time off,” he said.
“I have kept them ticking over, without pushing too much. The message to players is, if we don’t qualify, or [at least] have a crack and play as well as possible, they will be a long time disappointed until the next tournament.
“Hopefully, the boys get the right level of motivation. If we miss out because teams are better than us, we can accept that. The disappointing thing would be to not play as well as we can.”
Hong Kong are in a three-team pool following the withdrawal of Papua New Guinea. They play Brazil and Spain on Saturday, with the top two guaranteed progress to Sunday’s quarter-finals, which are speedily followed by the semi-finals and final.
As non-passport-holders, the key trio of Seb Brien, Callum McCullough and Harry Sayers are all ineligible. Max Woodward has returned as captain, after being excluded from the squad for all three Challenger Series legs.

“It was tough on Max … but our five forwards were playing so well, and he did not do enough [to earn place],” Groves said.
“We had some tough conversations, but he is a good bloke, and his mindset is about what’s right for the team.
“When he plays well, he is one of our best forwards and we will need his experience and leadership.”
The inclusion of fit-again 27-year-old Jack Combes is a nod towards Groves’ planning for the 2026 Asian Games.
“We want to give players experience, and if we keep nine or 10 of this squad for the Asian Games cycle, it bodes well,” Groves said.
Forward-planning also cost veteran Salom Yiu Kam-shing a position among the 12-strong travelling party.
Hong Kong flew on Saturday night, and accelerated preparations with a warm-up game against Great Britain on Tuesday.
“We have to gather as many points as possible [in pool matches] for a favourable quarter-final draw,” Groves said.
“World series teams might be carrying fatigue, and if we reach the semi-finals, the pressure will be on our opponents. We have to be prepared to take our opportunity, if it comes.
“We will probably have to beat two or three world series teams, including South Africa and Great Britain, to win it, so we know it is going to be a huge ask.”


Olympic champ Zheng, Hong Kong’s Haughey on strength, sacrifice and a winning mentality

Two months on, a Summer Olympics high turns into winter blues for Paris

Ridicule over Olympic performance too much for breaker Gunn, who says she’s retiring

Forest’s Wood on fire, Russell fastest in Mexico, 7 arrested over Olympics ceremony abuse

Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Paris Olympics 2024: coach Jevon Groves rouses weary Hong Kong 7s team for final Games push

Max Woodward will captain Hong Kong in Monaco after missing out on Challenger Series selection this year. Photo: Handout

Max Denmark will be a pivotal figure for Hong Kong in their Olympic quest. Photo: World Rugby

Seb Brien is a non-passport-holder, and consequently ineligible for the Monaco event. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

Asia Rugby Championship: Hong Kong coach says thrashing Malaysia ‘not the best preparation’

Hong Kong ran in 10 unanswered converted tries in stormy Malaysia. Photo: Asia Rugby

Hong Kong’s coach wants sterner tests for his team after they flattened Malaysia. Photo: Asia Rugby

Andrew Douglas is keen for Hong Kong to experience greater regional competition. Photo: Asia Rugby

China women earn place among rugby sevens elite, superstar Dupont inspires France success ahead of home Olympics

Jubilant France celebrate claiming the HSBC SVNS Series crown in Madrid. Photo: AFP

Antione Dupont was in fine form as France beat Great Britain, Fiji, and Argentina in must-win games. Photo: AFP

Australia staged a dramatic late comeback to beat New Zealand in their Madrid sevens semi-final. Photo: AFP

A domestic Hong Kong Sevens? Coach sees need to nurture talent as city’s men chase spot in HSBC SVNS’ elite series

Max Denmark is among a host of key Hong Kong figures back in the squad for this weekend’s Challenger Series in Munich.

Seb Brien has regained fitness after sustaining an injury in Uruguay two months ago. Photo: HKRU

Max Woodward is among the seasoned players who missed out on a squad place for Germany. Photo: Elson Li

Paris Olympics: Hong Kong sevens coach Groves up for challenge of rebuild, after team falls short in Games bid

Max Denmark is among the players head coach Jevon Groves will count on for the next Olympic cycle. Photo: Hong Kong Rugby Union

A handful of the Hong Kong squad that lost an Olympic qualification final will not get another Games opportunity. Photo: Hong Kong Rugby Union

Captain Max Woodward is one of the Hong Kong players with a decision to make over their international careers. Photo: Fotogramax

HSBC SVNS: Hong Kong’s bid to join world rugby sevens elite thwarted in last play of game, but China’s women have chance

Max Denmark crossed twice in Hong Kong’s semi-final against Germany, but still finished on the losing side. Photo: World Rugby

China’s women fended off all opposition to win every leg of the 2024 Challenger Series. Photo: World Rugby

Cado Lee scores as Hong Kong beat Chile to third place, before attention switched to Monaco. Photo: Handout

Sport

Rugby

Hong Kong Rugby Union

HK Sevens

Paris Olympics 2024

Hong Kong

After a busy year, Hong Kong are among 12 teams at repechage tournament in Monaco this weekend trying to secure the remaining spot in Paris


After a busy year, Hong Kong are among 12 teams at repechage tournament in Monaco this weekend trying to secure the remaining spot in Paris.


Hong Kong Sports Institute

Paris

Monaco

Papua New Guinea