World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger 2024 – Day 1 In Dubai

The opening day of the new World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger 2024 saw the Asian teams perform pretty well in Dubai on Friday 12th January. All 24 participating teams got through two pool matches, with the final round of pool games on Saturday set to determine the quarter-final spots – with every point crucial in this three-stop Series.

Feature Photo: World Rugby / Mike Lee – China Women in Dubai – World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger 2024

The opening day of this three-day event at The Sevens Stadium saw four men’s and women’s teams already secure their places in Saturday’s quarter-finals by going through a sunny and warm day undefeated – these include Hong Kong China Rugby men and the Thailand women.

In the women’s section, Argentina, Belgium, Czech Republic and Thailand women all finished day one with two wins from two, and for the men, Germany, Hong Kong China, Kenya and Tonga came out unscathed in the loss column.

Thailand Head Coach Tom Biggs was very happy with the ladies’ performances and said the whole squad is enjoying the Challenger Series event.  

The Thailand Coach told Rugby Asia 247, “Yeah, really happy with day one. It’s great to come to this tournament out here and it’s a great buzz. The facilities and organisation have been amazing so the girls are enjoying themselves and we are delighted with the performance today.

The days are long and when you only have two games, its important that you keep your focus. We’re excited to play Belgium, and after that its a little bit exciting having no idea who you’re going to end up playing.”

Photo Credit: World Rugby / Mike Lee – Thai Women in Dubai – World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger 2024

The Hong Kong China men also have one more tough pool game to come as they face Uruguay but Coach Jevon Groves was equally pleased to have grabbed the two wins on the opening day, even if he feels they had to win ugly at times.

Groves told us, “We obviously had realistic expectations of heading into this Series, there’s probably five or six real top teams in here. So we were aiming to be consistent and for ourselves to be in a position where we reach those semi-finals throughout. We were physical when we needed to be today, so I am pleased with the limited preparation we had with the Christmas break, heading into this competition.”

He added that he was focussing on what they could control on the second day, but for now was “focusing everything on Uruguay.”

Photo Credit: World Rugby / Mike Lee – HKCR Max Denmark Women in Dubai – World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger 2024

The Hong Kong China women, Chinese women, and Japanese men all came out even on Friday, with a win and loss each, and their final pool games will determine if they progress to the quarterfinals.

The top two teams from each of the three pools qualify, as well as the two best third-placed teams which follows the Olympic Sevens Rugby format. There are also no draws, so matches will go to extra time to determine a winner, a new format the HSBC SVNS Series is also using this season

The three teams also have tough final pool matches though, with the Japanese men facing undefeated Tonga in what is a very competitive group with Chile and Portugal in Pool B. The Japanese looked strong in their opening close-fought win over Portugal but looked off the pace in the cooler evening game against Chile.

The Hong Kong China Women play Poland on Saturday in Pool C. The Europeans were seen as one of the pre-tournament favourites but suffered an opening-round loss to Argentina, but were very strong in their final match on Friday against Paraguay with Ilona Zaisliuc running in four tries in a 45-5 victory.

HKCR Women’s Coach Andy Vilk had seen his team overcome Paraguay in their opener before falling to the Argentines, knowing a good result would be needed against Poland – he had said pre-tournament that the quarter-finals were a goal.

Vilk told us; “That’s Sevens. It’s the game we love. At times, it can also be really difficult, and we need to understand what we need to do to get right tomorrow. You need to respect your opponent but you want to play your own game. We need to do the things we are good at and play our style and that a big focus for us.

But this tournament is exciting with the level its at, and its not until you get here you see the other teams and the players they have brought.”

Photo Credit: World Rugby / Mike Lee – HKCR Natasha Olson-Thorne Women in Dubai – World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger 2024

The China women were also tipped as one of the tournament favourites but lost to Kenya in their opener, with the second-ranked African team outpowering a usually powerful China team.

The Chinese came back and put on a masterclass however in their 64-0 demolition of Mexico. They face a final hurdle in the shape of the Czechs who also look a solid outfit and have yet to lose.

The final pool matches for the Asian teams before the knockouts are determined are:

Women 

World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger 2024 – Day 1 Results

Women

• HKCR 17-0 Paraguay
• HKCR 0-19 Argentina
• Thailand 15-0 PNG
• Thailand 19-7 Uganda
• China 10-12 Kenya Rugby
• China 64-0 Mexico

Men

The full schedule of matches for Dubai from 12-14 January can be found here.

How To Watch The Challenger Series 2024

Rugby sevens fans can watch all the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger 2024 action from Dubai live on RugbyPass.TV

Rugby Sevens News

• World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger 2024 – Leg 1 Dubai.
• World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger 2024 – Dates And Venues Announced.
• Asian Rugby Sevens Teams – 2024 Challenger Series.
• Emirates Match Official Panels For HSBC SVNS.