• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Europe Breaking News

Breaking News Stories from Europe and Around the World

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Disclaimers
  • DMCA
  • Privacy Policy
  • Submit your story
  • Show Search
Hide Search

You are here: Home / How the world fell in love with the Hong Kong Sevens

How the world fell in love with the Hong Kong Sevens

· April 6, 2018 ·

Story highlights

  • Hong Kong Sevens take place April 5-7
  • It’s been much-loved by fans since the 70s

Alan Dymock is the Features Editor for Rugby World magazine. This feature was first published in April 2018.

(CNN)In 2015, high over the North Stand of Hong Kong Stadium, above the commentators and scorers booths, comedian Al Murray sipped from a bottle of water. It had been a pleasantly grueling few days at the Hong Kong Sevens.

Asked about the key to enjoying the tournament, he said: “You just have to hand yourself over and not worry about what time of day or night it might be.”
Follow @cnnsport

Two days later, high-spirited commentator Sean Maloney tweeted of the Hong Kong Sevens: “It’s like fighting Mike Tyson and Muhammad Ali on alternating nights for an entire week [sic].”
You know he typed this out with a big grin on his face.
Thousands of fans love Hong Kong, and players do, too. But how has this trading hub on the southern cusp of China become the go-to destination to watch — and revel in — sevens rugby?
Read More

READ: The Haka — what it means and how it’s performed

History

The idea of the Hong Kong Sevens was hashed out over drinks in 1976.
It was a simpler time back when Ian Gow, an executive from Rothmans Tobacco, and ‘Tokkie’ Smith of the Hong Kong union decided to push through the inaugural Hong Kong Sevens.
Kiwi outfit Cantabrians bested 11 other southern hemisphere sides to be crowned the first ever kings of Hong Kong.
Photos: 13 locations, 16 tournaments, lots of tries.

Vancouver, Canada – South Africa overcame France 21-12 to win its first title of the season. The World Series’ defending champion saw off Argentina and Fiji in the knockout stages before outscoring Les Bleus by three tries to two in the final in Vancouver.
Hide Caption
1 of 9

Photos: 13 locations, 16 tournaments, lots of tries.

Las Vegas, USA – USA’s trophy drought finally came to an end as the Eagles secured back-to-back titles in Las Vegas, cementing their position at the top of the overall standings midway through the season. A comfortable 27-0 victory over Samoa handed USA the title.
Hide Caption
2 of 9

Photos: 13 locations, 16 tournaments, lots of tries.

Sydney, Australia – The All Blacks Sevens secured their second title of the season after defeating USA in the final in Sydney.
Hide Caption
3 of 9

Photos: 13 locations, 16 tournaments, lots of tries.

Sydney, Australia – That added to the Black Ferns’ victory to see New Zealand complete the double in Australia.
Hide Caption
4 of 9

Photos: 13 locations, 16 tournaments, lots of tries.

Hamilton, New Zealand – Fiji secured back-to-back victories on the World Series after a thumping 38-0 victory over the USA. Jerry Tuwai crossed twice in the final.
Hide Caption
5 of 9

Photos: 13 locations, 16 tournaments, lots of tries.

Cape Town, South Africa – Fijian players huddle after defeating USA to record their first win of the season in Cape Town.
Hide Caption
6 of 9

Photos: 13 locations, 16 tournaments, lots of tries.

Dubai, UAE – New Zealand players perform the haka after winning the Dubai Sevens title by defeating USA.
Hide Caption
7 of 9

Photos: 13 locations, 16 tournaments, lots of tries.

Dubai, UAE – A 26-14 victory over Canada in the women’s final meant New Zealand did the double in Dubai.
Hide Caption
8 of 9

Photos: 13 locations, 16 tournaments, lots of tries.

Glendale, Colorado – New Zealand’s Black Ferns started the season is style by winning the Glendale Sevens, a new tournament for the 2018-19 season.
Hide Caption
9 of 9

The very next day, an editorial from the South China Morning Post proclaimed that the spectacle showed the “glorious uncertainty that makes seven-a-side rugby arguably the fastest and best ball game in sport.”
From such humble beginnings this present-day monster of an event set forth. But only a year later, something magnificent happened — the Fijians joined the party.
In 1977 Fiji won its first title and the people of Hong Kong fell head over heals in love — an affinity that endures to this day (as you will see from the enclave of never-budging Fiji fans in the North Stand).
Former captain Osea Kolinisau said of the event: “It’s kind of a rite of passage for us Fijians, we grew up watching legends of the game playing here.”
There have certainly been plenty of them. Fiji has triumphed in Hong Kong 19 times in total. New Zealand has won 11 titles, Australia has five, England four, Samoa three and the Barbarians and Cantabrians have one win each.
As well as growing into the “one to win” for so many sevens sides, the tournament is also the base for new beginnings.
With 28 teams in total at the ground this year, it is now where teams from outside of the men’s and women’s Sevens World Series fight it out in competitions running concurrently to the series event, hoping to qualify as a core team for next season’s circuits.
Photos: Hong Kong Sevens 2018

It’s perhaps the biggest party in the world of sport…
Hide Caption
1 of 11

Photos: Hong Kong Sevens 2018

The annual Hong Kong Sevens, which this year was held from April 5-7, is loved by rugby fans and players alike, regularly attracting as many as 120,000 spectators.
Hide Caption
2 of 11

Photos: Hong Kong Sevens 2018

Asked about the key to enjoying the event, comedian Al Murray once said: “You just have to hand yourself over and not worry about what time of day or night it might be.”
Hide Caption
3 of 11

Photos: Hong Kong Sevens 2018

No wonder there is a saying in Hong Kong: “If you ever get bored of the sevens, you can turn around and watch the rugby.”
Hide Caption
4 of 11

Photos: Hong Kong Sevens 2018

The Hong Kong Sevens dates back to 1976, with Fiji boasting more wins than any other country. The island nation picked up a record fourth-straight victory at the 2018 tournament.
Hide Caption
5 of 11

Photos: Hong Kong Sevens 2018

From small beginnings, it’s now a truly global affair, with 28 teams in total at the ground this year.
Hide Caption
6 of 11

Photos: Hong Kong Sevens 2018

“What is incredibly special is that the city shuts down for it,” says England sevens veteran James Rodwell, describing the sight of rugby-hungry fans in the stadium for three whole days as “humbling.”
Hide Caption
7 of 11

Photos: Hong Kong Sevens 2018

World famous for the atmosphere it generates, the Hong Kong South Stand does not stop jumping all weekend.
Hide Caption
8 of 11

Photos: Hong Kong Sevens 2018

Fancy dress is a must.
Hide Caption
9 of 11

Photos: Hong Kong Sevens 2018

With the 40,000 seater stadium a vibrant mix of color and noise, Hong Kong’s atmosphere has set a precedent for other World Series tournaments, most notably London and Las Vegas.
Hide Caption
10 of 11

Photos: Hong Kong Sevens 2018

“I start to get goosebumps when you talk about the atmosphere in Hong Kong,” says Fijian sevens legend Waisele Serevi, who competed at the event on a number of occasions. What are your favorite memories of the Hong Kong Sevens? Have your say on CNN Sport’s Facebook page
Hide Caption
11 of 11

READ: The 20,000km cycle to the Rugby World Cup

Vivid play

“What is incredibly special is that the city shuts down for it,” says England sevens veteran James Rodwell, who first played in the showstopper in 2009.
Hong Kong is a three-day event, unlike many others on the series. Rodwell explains that Friday playing days elsewhere can be unheralded affairs. But not at the modern Hong Kong Sevens.

    JUST WATCHED

    How to perform the Haka

Replay
More Videos …

MUST WATCH

How to perform the Haka 01:27

“With England we usually play the game quite late in the afternoon,” he says. “You wait all day for 14 minutes of rugby, which is quite strange. But you can run out for your game and there are supporters there.”
He describes the sight of rugby-hungry fans, especially expat England fans, in the stadium for three whole days as “humbling.”
But supporters have definitely been treated by the players over the years.
The great Jonah Lomu dominated as New Zealand won in 1994, 1995 (before that famous World Cup) and 1996.
That same year, Kiwi great Christian Cullen set a record for points scored in a single tournament (136). The most famous name in sevens, Waisale Serevi, won the Leslie Williams Trophy for outstanding player four times; he also won the tournament seven times.
Australia’s David Campese is still talked about by regulars as a true entertainer while the recent iterations of Fiji have played loose-limbed, swashbuckling stuff.
Not that Hong Kong only caters for flat-track flyers. The conditions can be tough. Sure, there is constant humidity, but it can be blaringly sunny just before the heavens open up.

    JUST WATCHED

    Hong Kong Rugby 7s: Superstars and 120,000 fans

Replay
More Videos …

MUST WATCH

Hong Kong Rugby 7s: Superstars and 120,000 fans 01:37

READ: Super Rugby teams make poignant tribute to Christchurch victims
One of the most iconic images of the tournament came in 2014, when New Zealand celebrated a punishing 26-7 win over England by doing a topless Haka in the rain.
Rodwell, who was on the losing side in that final, insists that as pretty as it all was, the match would have had to be abandoned had it gone on a few minutes longer. Rainwater was puddling deeply on the playing surface as the Kiwis did their dance.

Atmosphere

There is a saying in Hong Kong: “If you ever get bored of the sevens, you can turn around and watch the rugby.”
Chances are, that saying is aimed directly at the South Stand. World famous for the atmosphere it generates, the South Stand does not stop jumping all weekend. Queues for it start early in the morning and before play begins on the Saturday and Sunday; it will revert to a strict “one out, one in” policy.
Photos: America’s growing love for rugby

The ever-increasing popularity of the Las Vegas Sevens is helping rugby to become one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States.
Hide Caption
1 of 15

Photos: America’s growing love for rugby

The Las Vegas Sevens is always a fan favorite, but the two recent editions have been particularly special with USA winning back-to-back title.
Hide Caption
2 of 15

Photos: America’s growing love for rugby

The 2017 event attracted record crowds to Sam Boyd Stadium for the seventh consecutive year with an attendance of 80,691 across the three days.
Hide Caption
3 of 15

Photos: America’s growing love for rugby

Like many sevens events around the world, Vegas inspires a party atmosphere with spectators coming in fancy dress.
Hide Caption
4 of 15

Photos: America’s growing love for rugby

The 2017 attendance was a slim increase on the previous year, which brought in 80,138, including these fans dressed as Elvis Presley.
Hide Caption
5 of 15

Photos: America’s growing love for rugby

The USA has enjoyed its best start to a sevens season this year, finishing runner-up at the first four tournaments.
Hide Caption
6 of 15

Photos: America’s growing love for rugby

Over 100,000 fans attended the Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco, the best-attended rugby event ever in the USA.
Hide Caption
7 of 15

Photos: America’s growing love for rugby

In common with rugby’s US sports rivals, cheerleaders play a big part in the entertainment schedule at Vegas — which over the years has included Cirque Du Soleil and fighter jets. Here members of the USA Sevens Sweethearts perform during the 2015 tournament.
Hide Caption
8 of 15

Photos: America’s growing love for rugby

The 2016 tournament was broadcast on NBC and its Sports Network. It reportedly reached national and international audiences in over 400 million homes and 147 countries. Here a Samoan rugby fan supports his team in 2016.
Hide Caption
9 of 15

Photos: America’s growing love for rugby

A security guard chases a costumed fan after she ran on the pitch during the 2015 Cup Final match between Fiji and New Zealand.
Hide Caption
10 of 15

Photos: America’s growing love for rugby

It required two guards to finally bring the woman to the ground.
Hide Caption
11 of 15

Photos: America’s growing love for rugby

Security was busy that day, as this fan also invaded the pitch before Fiji beat New Zealand. It was the All Blacks’ fourth successive defeat in Vegas finals.
Hide Caption
12 of 15

Photos: America’s growing love for rugby

This fan also took center stage during a 2014 match between the US and Spain.
Hide Caption
13 of 15

Photos: America’s growing love for rugby

Players get close to the crowds in Vegas. Here members of the Canadian team pose with fans following a 2014 match against Samoa.
Hide Caption
14 of 15

Photos: America’s growing love for rugby

US speedster Carlin Isles, who bagged a try in the 2018 final, is popular with the home supporters. Here he wears a cheese hat at the request of a fan taking his photo after a 2014 game.
Hide Caption
15 of 15

Everyone in there is in fancy dress, too.
READ: Jason Momoa on why he ‘bleeds’ All Blacks at Vancouver
Back in 2015, comedian Murray explained that the tournament is at its brightest when fans commit to fancy dress.
He went further: “One of my highlights this year was the guy who got dressed as Kim Jung-un, with loads of bodyguards. He even had Dennis Rodman with him. That’s really funny. Apparently they were moving people out of the Dear Leader’s way — that’s just awesome!”
Laughing about the party atmosphere, Rodwell says: “When I met her, my wife had never seen rugby before, but she had heard of the Hong Kong Sevens!”
He goes on to say that, despite playing there many times, a trip to the South Stand is “on my bucket list.”
Visit cnn.com/rugby for more news and videos
There are many other sights, sounds and snacking delights to be found in Hong Kong. It is an assault on the senses.
When it is in full sway, though, little in Hong Kong can carry you off as much as the sevens can.

  • RugbyX: 'Rock-and-roll' five-a-side rugby seeking to capitalize on Rugby World Cup success
  • TWA85: 'The world's longest and most spectacular hijacking'
  • VIETNAM BUSINESS NEWS HEADLINES OCTOBER 20

Filed Under: sport sport, Hong Kong Sevens: A sports fan's "bucket list" destination - CNN, hong kong sevens, airport hong kong, hong kong sevens tickets, hong kong airports, virtual office hong kong, serviced office hong kong, Hong Kong Economic Journal, markets in hong kong, Hong Kong Economic Times, hong kong hong kong, Federation of Hong Kong Industries, Hong Kong Marine Department, Radio Television Hong Kong, hong kong international airport, Hong Kong Kai Tak International Airport, dbs vickers hong kong ltd, the hong kong and shanghai banking corporation, Seven Hong Kong, Hong Kong Rugby Sevens, HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, hong kong cancer registry, world vision hong kong, The Hong Kong Sevens, World Wildlife Fund Hong Kong, novotel century hong kong, novotel citygate hong kong, hong kong office market, trade hong kong stocks in us, trade hong kong stocks online, Li Po Chun United World College of Hong Kong

Primary Sidebar

RSS Recent Stories

  • The ‘Boris bounce’ is coming – but this conjuring trick will leave many Brexiteers disappointed
  • How the end of Moore’s Law will usher in a new era in computing
  • Special report: Sunderland aiming to be the ‘poster city for Brexit’
  • Dan Osborne posts defiant message of support for I’m A Celebrity’s Jacqueline Jossa
  • Helena Bonham Carter, 53, looks in high spirits as she cosies up to beau Rye Dag Holmboe, 32, at photography exhibition
Copyright © 2019 Europe Breaking News. Power by Wordpress.