In the less than a week Hong Kong’s Men and Women’s Sevens Teams’ saw their Olympic ambitions evaporate in Europe. First the Hong Kong Men lost in the quarterfinal to Samoa 31-12, last Sunday (June 19) in Monaco. The Men’s tournament was won by Spain, beating Samoa in the final 22-19. By late afternoon on Saturday June 25, the Hong Kong Women, seeded 4th overall, surprisingly came 3rd in their Group. They did not proceed to the Championship competition on Sunday, and had to be content with trying to be ‘best of the rest’ in the Trophy competition.
Hong Kong’s first group match was against the Cook Islands: a team that looked more like a New Zealand second Seven, than one that resembled Samoa, Tonga or Fiji. The match was tough, and ended in a 12-12 draw. Their next game was against a familiar foe, Kazakhstan, but found them in a less than familiar mood, and Kazakhstan comfortably beat Hong Kong 21-12.
Finally, late in the afternoon, Hong Kong played Argentina. A match both sides needed to win. A loss meant the Trophy competition; a win, and the team was still following the signposts to Rio. Sadly for Hong Kong, despite leading twice, they lost to a last minute converted try, giving Argentina victory 17-15. It was heartbreaking for Hong Kong, who so nearly managed to salvage some respite from a disappointing day. Instead Argentina and Kazakhstan entered the Championship quarterfinal draw, along with Ireland, China, Spain, Tunisia, Russia and Samoa.
On Sunday, Hong Kong played with more confidence in the Trophy and easily beat Zimbabwe 20-0, and then Venezuela 24-5, to set-up a final against the Cook Islands. Again, despite leading twice, they suffered another close defeat 15-12; and had to be content with ’second best of the rest'. It’s been a disappointing weekend for the Hong Kong team. They had expected to be vying for attention in the Championship, instead salvaging pride in the Trophy.
The final was between Russia and Spain, the two stand-out teams over the weekend: Spain won 19-12 to secure the final spot at Rio in the Women’s Sevens. They emulated the Spanish Men who won in Monaco, and join them on the plane to Rio. This will be a huge fillip for Spanish rugby.
In the 5th–6th play-off, China demolished Argentina 33-0. China improved throughout the weekend, and with the depth of talent they can harness (if they wish to do so), China could be a potential medalist in Tokyo 2020.
This was a good experience for Hong Kong: but they came up short. Compared to the Championship semi-finalists Spain, Russia, Ireland and Kazakhstan, Hong Kong was not as strong, and Olympic ambitions were unlikely to be realized in this competition. To compete at the next level, Hong Kong will need to improve their skill, fitness and drop-goal ability to change 5 point tries into 7 points with the conversion. They lost close games, drew a game arguably they should have won, but if they can keep the scoreboard moving with maximum points, it will help them mentally and physically, and turn a narrow loss into a narrow victory. It’s something to aim for on the road to Tokyo in 2020.
Grahame Carder is a sports enthusiast, former player and now resident in Hong Kong
