Grey Weather Didnt Stop A Colourful Second Day At The Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2024

The second day of the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2024 was largely grey with spats of rain but it didn’t stop the burst of colour from the eager fans, as just over 33,000 filled the Hong Kong Stadium and saw the SVNS teams reach the Semi-finals, while the Melrose Claymores completed its second round.

Feature Photo Credit: Photo Credit” Mike Lee / World Rugby 

Fans Still Come To Play In Hong Kong

New Zealand’s Portia Woodman-wickliffe takes a selfie with a fan on day one of the Cathay/ HSBC Hong Kong Sevens at Hong Kong Stadium on 5 April 2024 in Hong Kong, China. Photo credit: Mike Lee – KLC fotos for World Rugby

Despite initial muggy and overcast conditions, fans still filled up the grounds from early morning in a smorgasbord of costumes and colours.

The day began a Hong Kong Sevens’ tradition of mini rugby in the morning – which saw 1,700 of the city’s future rugby stars the chance to play on the Hong Kong Stadium’s turf.

Saturday is traditionally the busiest day of the Sevens in Hong Kong and it is fancy dress day as the South Stand fills up early and a wide selection as broad as the imagination of costumes is proudly donned – from Disney and film characters, cavemen, animals, and so much more.

The half-day highlight was the 35-40 minute set from the legendary The Wailers as they grooved out hit after hits for the crowd to sing along to.

SVNS Rugby – Day #2 Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2024

There were more upsets in the competition as the teams competed to reach the final of this iconic tournament and at this famous stadium for one last time, with the Cup winners entitled to eternal bragging rights of winning the last even Sevens at the Hong Kong Stadium.

For the men, it will be Ireland against France and Australia against New Zealand, while the final four in the women’s competition sees USA face France and New Zealand face arch-rivals Australia.

Some hopefuls had their journeys ended, most noticeably the Blitzboks from the men who had been undefeated in the pools, as well as perennial favourites Fiji (someone mentioned they had not been knocked it at the QF stage in Hong Kong for decades, but we can’t confirm that).

New Zealand captain Dylan Collier broke Fijian hearts with a comeback 19-12 win and he said “That South Stand’s pretty unreal,” he said. “It’s an awesome crowd. Hopefully, we get all the way to the big dance. There’s so much history in this stadium. To win this last one here would be awesome.”

On the women’s side, Japan achieved their first target of beating Spain to clinch a quarterfinal berth and the smiles were etched on faces at the hooter when flying wing Wakaba Hara scored the winning try. They went on to face Australia in the quarterfinal and put up an almighty fight, narrowly losing 0-12 but were in it until the end.

Japan will play Ireland in the 7th-place playoff on Sunday.

Photo Credit: HKCR -Wakaba Hara Japan Sakura 7s – Hong Kong Stadium – Saturday 6th April 2024

The other main talking points were that both Samoa and Argentina men missed out on the cup quarterfinals and in the women’s semifinals, the 2023 finalists Australia and New Zealand are set for a hotly highly-anticipated women’s semi-final showdown at lunchtime on Sunday.

Quarterfinal Results – Second Day At The Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2024

Cup QF Women

• Fiji 7-33 USA
• France 31-7 Ireland
• Canada 5-26 NZ
• Australia 12-0 Japan

Cup QF Men

• USA 19-24 Ireland
• France 24-10 Spain
• South Africa 0-15 Australia
• NZ 19-12 Fiji

Second Day At The Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2024 – Result Implications For SVNS Madrid Leg –

The results in Hong Kong mean that for the men – Ireland, Fiji, France, Australia and New Zealand join Argentina in confirming their places at the HSBC SVNS Grand Final in Madrid. South Africa can also secure a spot in Spain if they beat Fiji in the 5th-place on Sunday.

For the women – USA, Canada, Ireland and Fiji join Australia, New Zealand and France in confirming their places at the Grand Final in Madrid.

The eighth and final spot will be decided at the seventh and last regular season round in Singapore.

Melrose Claymores 2024 – Second Round

Photo Credit: HKCR – Melrose Claymores 2024 – Second Round HKCR women vs Thailand

HKCR faced the Thai women with Thailand scoring first in the second round of the Melrose Claymores but HKCR powered back to win 28-10 and secure their place in the final on Sunday. They will face the winners of the Thailand and China clash which is played first up on Sunday morning.

For the men, Japan stunned the hosts and HKCR Max Woodward had hinted before the week he expected the Japanese to be a wounded animal after the beating HKCR gave them in Montevideo – the Japanese were convincing winners 33-14.

The Men’s Cup final will depend on the result of the Japan vs China men played on Sunday morning.

The two-day total of fans attending thus far is 63,000 plus over the two completed days. For those who ventured out into the evening at the end of play. Wanchai was noticeably busier but we won’t confirm or deny if we were out, or deny or confirm seeing certain tournament ambassadors enjoying the Hong Kong nightlife.

Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens Week 2024

• Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2024 & Melrose Claymores Get Off To A Raucous Start
• Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2024 Week – Ultimate Fan Guide.
• Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2024 Captains Salute Hong Kong Stadium.
• Max Woodward – What Makes Playing In Hong Kong So Special