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