HKCR Confirm Sevens Squads For Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games

Hong Kong China Rugby {HKCR) has released its full Sevens Rugby squad details for the women and men taking part in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou from 24-26 September 2023.

The Asian Games were postponed from 2022 and HKCR men are the defending Asian Games gold medalists. Robbie McRobbie, CEO of Hong Kong China Rugby said, “We pride ourselves that Hong Kong is the spiritual home of international sevens and over the years our representative teams have given us some great results and wonderful memories, no more so than the men’s historic Gold at the last Asian Games in Jakarta.

Under the leadership of Paul John, Head Coach, our men’s team will be striving to defend their title, while the women have their sides firmly set on a first podium finish as well. I know our fantastic rugby community at home and fans in Hangzhou and around the world will be cheering them on as they proudly represent Hong Kong China.”

Photo Credit: Hong Kong, China Rugby – Paul John, Head Coach HKCR Sevens

John, said of the Asian Games challenge, “This is an extremely important tournament for us, and both teams have been preparing well. Our men’s team travelled to Fo Shan, Guangdong province in July for a series of friendly warm-up games against China, and our women’s team joined a training camp in Canada in collaboration with the Canadian, Japanese and Australian women’s Sevens teams.

And of course, the first stage of the ARSS ended last month in South Korea, which was an excellent opportunity to test the teams.”

Women’s HKCR Asian Games Sevens Rugby

In the women’s draw, there are a total of seven teams competing at the Asian Games which include ARSS 2023 participants; Japan, Kazakhstan, Thailand, Hong Kong China, Singapore and China, as well as India.

HKCR women are in Pool F along with Japan, India and Singapore and the 12-women HKCR squad comprises a strong core of experienced players, including NAM Ka Man, CHONG Ka Yan, AU YEUNG Sin Yi, HO Jessica Wai On, CHAN Stephanie Chor Ki.  Five players from the squad will make their Asian Games debut; CHAN Chloe, FORREST Shanna; FUNG Hoi Ching, TSE Wing Kiu and HO Tsz Wun.

Melody Li Nim-yan and Natasha Olson-Thorne will co-captain the Hong Kong China Rugby Sevens Rugby team.

Natasha Olson-Thorne will co-captain the Hong Kong China Rugby Sevens Rugby team

New Women’s Head coach Andrew Vilk only arrived last month, but he and the team will be looking to improve on their fourth placing at the ARSS in Incheon this season and their fifth-place finish from the last Asian Games in 2018 in Jakarta.

Vilk said, “We are excited for the challenge to build on our performance in the ARSS and it is important for us to show that progression now. We are in a good space and ready to get stuck into it.”

He added, “Japan are expected to present the biggest challenge again. And as we advance, it looks highly likely we will be crossing over with China, which will undoubtedly test us physically. However, we are prepared for that. The squad has continued to develop and has incorporated new tactical dimensions, and the new players have added to that versatility. We want to play with speed, as it aligns well with our skillset and enables us to apply greater pressure and score tries.”

Photo Credit: Hong Kong, China Rugby – HKCR Women’s Head coach, Andrew Vilk

HONG KONG, CHINA WOMEN’S SEVENS RUGBY SQUAD – ASIAN GAMES  24-26 SEPTEMBER 2023

OLSON-THORNE Natasha (Co-captain), LI Nim Yan Melody Blessing(Co-captain), AU YEUNG Sin Yi, CHAN Chloe, CHONG Ka Yan, FORREST Shanna, FUNG Hoi Ching、HO Jessica Wai On、CHAN Stephanie Chor Ki, NAM Ka Man, TSE Wing Kiu, HO Tsz Wun

HKCR Men – Asian Games Sevens Rugby

The Hong Kong China Rugby men are pooled with the Philippines and Malaysia in Pool A. The reigning Men’s champions, Hong Kong, China, missed out on their first gold in the Asian Sevens Series 2023 since 2019 in the first leg this season in Incheon where Japan were the winner, but they have kept faith and set their sights on defending their title.

Hong Kong, China Men’s Coach Jevon Groves said he is looking for a mix of relentless defence and free-flowing attack in his side’s Asian Games campaign. “Training has been really competitive. We are preparing for every eventuality, that is all that we can do. The squad is rugby-ready. It has been a tough selection.”

Photo Credit: Hong Kong, China Rugby – Hong Kong, China Men’s Coach Jevon Groves

Several veterans are in the squad with eight of Hong Kong’s defending men’s gold medal-winning Asian Games players in the 2023 group.

Captain Max Woodward captains the team’s in a bid to reclaim the Asian Games title, and is joined by seasoned veterans in Salom Yiu Kam-shing, Cado Lee Ka-to, Alessandro NARDONI, Liam HERBERT, Alex McQUEEN; James CHRISTIE, Max DENMARK; Michael COVERDALE, Hugo STILES, Liam DOHERTY. Russell WEBB will make his Asian Games debut after his absence in 2018 due to injury.

Groves added, “We expect our opponents to be physical and individually very skillful, and we are focused on countering their strengths while exerting pressure on them, They’ve (HKCR players) got the knowledge; it’s just a matter of executing their skills and playing consistently for the full 14 minutes.”

HONG KONG, CHINA MEN’S SEVENS RUGBY SQUAD – ASIAN GAMES  24-26 SEPTEMBER 2023

Max WOODWARD(c) , Alessandro NARDONI, Liam HERBERT, Max DENMARK, Michael COVERDALE, LEE Ka To Cado, Russell WEBB, Alex McQUEEN, James CHRISTIE, Liam DOHERTY, Hugo STILES, YIU Kam Shing

Sevens Rugby News 2023

• Hangzhou Asian Games Rugby Sevens Teams And Pools.
• Andy Vilk Appointed As HKCR Women’s 7s Head Coach.
• Japan & HKCR Women’s Sevens Teams In Canada For Season Preparations.
• Asian Games Hosts Announced for 2030 & 2034.