Sports Matters North Asia 2024 – Rugby Matters to HSBC (Part 2)

The Sports Matters North Asia 2024 conference saw sessions take on a range of topics as part of the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens week – here we review what was said by HSBC’s Jon Lane (Global Head of Brand Partnerships), and former Ireland rugby player and HSBC Brand Ambassador Brian O’Driscoll on why rugby matters.

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Scrummaging Success: Rugby Matters – Part 2 Rugby Matters to HSBC

Brian O’Driscoll (Former Ireland and British & Irish Lions Rugby Captain and HSBC Brand Partnerships Ambassador) was asked about the quality of the Sevens Rugby athletes and confirmed he had never played the format but was full of admiration for the physical attributes and skillsets of the Sevens players.

He said the sport has seen a few key breakthroughs as players crossed over from Sevens to XVs, and with this being an Olympic year, there has been the high-profile reversal of players like Antoine Dupon (France), and this past weekend in Hong Kong Australian Michael Hooper making his 7s debut.

The HSBC ambassador said the status of the tournament remained unmatched and that players see this as the flagship event – Hong Kong is the one they want to play and to turn up for and win.

Jon Lane (Global Head of Brand Partnerships – HSBC) confirmed that the Hong Kong stop is the jewel of the crown and part of a wonderful Series played around the world and that Sevens and Hong Kong run through the veins of HSBC – it’s part of their DNA.

Making The Switch To Sevens Rugby – Dupont and Hooper

Photo Credit: Sports Matters – HSBC and former Ireland rugby player and HSBC Brand Ambassador Brian O’Driscoll

O’Driscoll was asked about the challenges of making the transition to Sevens Rugby from Fifteens, and the focus on Antoine Dupont and Michael Hooper having a go.

On Dupont, his move has been well publicised as he helped an already good French team win their first title in 19 years at the LA SVNS in 2024. O’Driscoll told Rugby Asia 247 in a separate interview to be published in due course that Dupont is a freak and possibly one of the few who could make the transition so easily.

For Hooper (who made his debut in Hong Kong and finished 4th overall with Australia), there is no doubting his ability as an XVs player, being the youngest to reach 100 caps and so far achieving over 120 caps, and in O’Driscoll’s words, the decision to “switch to Sevens is remarkable.”

He added that the sport is a “young person’s game” as you need naivety to play, but Hooper will have scar tissue mentally and physically – so if Hooper can push for a place on the squad for the Olympics it will be some achievement. 

Aside from the athleticism and fitness required for Sevens, the Irishman said; “There is no switching off in Sevens, no breaks, and you are always on the move. The rucks are different – you need to learn to control your breathing and voice commands and these other learned skills – it’s not an easy transition for any player.”

Why Has The Sevens Series Changed?

The new HSBC SVNS Series was repositioned by World Rugby to appeal to a younger audience. Lane said HSBC as a business is also targeting that and must find the balance between existing and new customers. 

Lane was also proud of the ongoing investment and contribution to promoting the women’s game and that it was an easy decision to continue to support the SVNS.

Photo Credit: Sports Matters – Jon Lane (Global Head of Brand Partnerships – HSBC)

As part of the collaboration, they also support development programs and HSBC is a firm believer in sports as a power of good. The Try Rugby programme in Hong Kong has supported 60,000 children but also supports elite players and fans for the future.

HSBC On Brand Values

HSBC is driving value from involvement with sports and ambassadors such as tennis player Emma Raducanu who has a Chinese mother and Romanian father – her recent trip to Hong Kong had an impressive impact and level of engagement. 

Brian O’Driscoll said he had worked with HSBC for 15 years and said of good partners, that they tend to look at the here and now but then also the legacy aspect – what difference will they make in the future?

He identified the British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa, with HSBC helping build a rugby pitch in Soweto – this was an example of leaving a real mark in a positive way and a means to look to the future. 

Both speakers also talked of the value of grassroots development being important and that future-proofing the game is crucial – “we have to ensure the next generation is coming through and being supported”.

Finally, O’Driscoll was asked what was the most important lesson he had learned from travelling the globe as an international rugby player and HSBC ambassador.

He said it was the opportunity to network and the people he has met.  “It’s about networking and aligning with like-minded people and introducing people that might connect. I am a big believer in what comes around, goes around”

Sports Matters North Asia 2024 will be posting YouTube video highlights in due course.

We would like to thank the organisers for inviting Rugby Asia 247 to attend the event whose official partners included The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Cathay, HSBC, Laureus, InvestHK, Wasserman, HK China Union, Asia Football Group, Havas Play, The Marketing Society, Great Entertainment Group and Britcham.

Read More In Part 1 Here.

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