Kai Tak Stadium Delivers Thrilling Opening Day of Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2025

The Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2025 ushered in a new era on Friday 28th March at the new state-of-the art Kai Tak Stadium with the opening rounds of the HSBC SVNS, a nostalgic opening ceremony with hints of modernity, and of course the Asian invitational teams competing in the Melrose Claymores which once again received the loudest ovation as decibel levels bounced off the closed roof.

HSBC SVNS Series 2025 – Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens Opening Day

On the SVNS Series for the women, New Zealand, Australia and France all went through the opening rounds undefeated to secure quarter-final places, while in the men’s competition; Argentina, Fiji, New Zealand and Great Britain were all double pool-play victors.

The top three teams in the women’s competition all ended the day with perfect win records with Olympic champions New Zealand in Pool A beating China easily 45-0, before beating the USA 33-21 in a better contest.

The Chinese had another poor day on the Series which has quickly placed their successful 2024 year in the rearview mirror. Of note was Black Ferns Sevens captain Sarah Hirini adding two tries for a total of 99 on the Series.

Photo Credit Alex Ho / World Rugby – China vs NZ Women

For the Japan Sakura 7s, they kicked off the event by playing Canada but fell narrowly short and lost 17-24 but had a terrific comeback against Spain after being well behind to win the crucial match 24-19 in Pool C. They play Australia on Saturday and will need a win to secure a QF or for other results to go their way if they lose that match.

New Zealand’s Jazmin Felix-Hotham, whose parents moved to Hong Kong in 2024, said: “This atmosphere is exactly why we play the sport. To play in a new stadium but to have the same feel as the sevens of old, in Hong Kong they value sevens so much. We appreciate that.”

Men’s log leaders, Argentina, beat Ireland 35-7 and the USA 52-5 to top Pool A, while Fiji continued their strong form in Hong Kong with wins over the USA 26-21 and Ireland 21-19.

In the pool of death, New Zealand’s All Blacks Sevens secured wins over Australia and Uruguay, while the Blitzboks and Australia ended the day with a win and loss each after the Australians beat SA in the final game of the day.

Great Britain topped Pool C with two wins over Olympic Champions France and Kenya.

Photo Credit HKCR – Japan vs Spain Women

All of the results and fixtures can be seen online here.

Melrose Claymores 2025 – Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens Opening Day

Hometown heroes Hong Kong China got the job done in front of a very noisy and enthusiastic crowd with both the women and men claiming vital wins on Friday – we have never seen so much media converge on the teams!

The HKCR Women beat Kazakhstan 29-14 with a brace of tries to co-captain Natasha Olson-Thorne and the ever-smiling Chong Ka Yan before the on-fire Sabay Lynam added a final try to end the match.

Photo Credit – HKCR Melrose Claymores 2025 – Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens Opening Day – HKCR Women vs Kazakhstan

Co-captain Chloe Chan told us “It’s been amazing running out to this huge crowd and it was really loud. It’s so nice to see so many local kids to watch and building up the local interest in rugby is hugely important. We still have to play Thailand tomorrow and we need to focus on ourselves and do our individual roles well but I felt like we gelled really well tonight so I think we will be fine tomorrow.”

Of the impact of the Sevens in Hong Kong and having the Melrose Claymores be part of it, Jess Ho explained, “It’s really been special to see so many young kids and so many young local girls out here and it’s important to have empowerment. Local support is so important and to have Hong Kong people behind us is massive as it will make the sport grow – I feel in the Asian market there is that room for growth especially in the women’s game.”

Photo Credit – Mark Zhuang – Melrose Claymores 2025 – Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens Opening Day – HKCR vs China Men

Christie said of the amazing crowd support, “Thanks to the crowd – it’s really hard to describe how much it means and the voices from the crowd really was like having an 8th player on the field with us.”

Saturday 29 March Fixtures

• HKCR vs Thailand Women 14.06
• HKCR vs Japan Men 15.06

Saturday 29 March Entertainment

The roof is due to be open on Saturday and Sunday.

• GALA – Saturday 29th March – on Saturday at 14.26 after the Mini and Youth Rugby March Past.
• Pete Tong – Saturday 29th March at 6:35PM – He will perform preceded by a laser show.

Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2025 Week

• 2025 Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens – What You Need To Know.
• Read More about the HKCR Melrose Claymores Squad Selections here.
• Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2025 – What The Teams Have Said.
• Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens Melrose Claymores 2025 Preview.