World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger 2024 – Day 2 In Dubai

The Asian contingent playing in the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger 2024 in Dubai had a tough Saturday enduring some heartache, but the Chinese women have stamped their credentials on the Series as one of the favourites after dominating performances at the Sevens Stadium.

Feature Photo World Rugby / Mike Lee – Dubai – World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger 2024 Kenya beat Japan in the quarterfinals

The women’s draw, in particular, sprung a few surprises as the final four teams to make the semifinals resulted in a European shut-out, with Uganda, Kenya, Argentina and the Chinese making it through.

Thailand put up a brave display but were knocked out in the quarterfinal by Argentina, while HKCR failed to make the top 8 on points difference, but did win their 9th place semifinal.

The HKCR women will be disappointed with Saturday’s results, but the win in their last game of the day over Mexico required them to dig deep and the victory should buoy the squad’s confidence that will be further depleted by injury and suspensions come Sunday. They will play a physical PNG team on Sunday morning for 9th place.

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

The Thais can still chase the 7th spot overall as they face Czechia on Sunday and will look to redeem Saturday’s losses against Belgium and Argentina. The European side was dispatched by the Chinese 30-7 in their final pool game.

In the men’s draw, HKCR were denied a semifinal berth by a powerful German side, while the Japanese came unstuck against Kenya – both victors are now among the favourites.

Photo Credit: World Rugby / Mike Lee – Thai Women in Dubai canstill claim 7th – World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger 2024

Semifinals completed in Dubai as Teams secure top 4 spots

Argentina remains the only unbeaten team in the women’s competition – continuing their strong performances from their pool wins over Poland, Hong Kong China, and Paraguay to edge out the Thais with a 22-12 win in the QF after the sides were locked 12-all at the break.

China, who seemed to be playing with real fire since their first-round pool loss to Kenya, strolled past Poland in their quarterfinal winning 31-10. Chinese speedster Liu Xiaoqian has racked up 8 tries in the first two days, including a brace in the QF win. China will need to be wary of the Ugandans in the semifinal as they are a surprise semifinalist – and they shocked Belgium in their QF win.

Photo Credit: World Rugby / Mike Lee – China Women are still in contention in Dubai – World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger 2024

So on Sunday, 14th January, the women’s semi-finals shape up like this:

• China v Uganda
• Argentina v Kenya

In the men’s competition, Kenya was too strong for the Japanese, but it was a hard-fought win for the African side trying to return to the top-flight international SVNS, and with a whole new squad. Both sides have also qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympics, and the slender 21-19 win for the Kenyas was enough to see them on track with their goals.

Japan will compete for 5th spot on Sunday with a very dangerous and physical Tongan team but the Japanese defeated them 19-5 earlier this weekend.

For the Hong Kong Chine Rugby men, it was more heartache and a disappointing second day in Dubai, after winning both pool games on Friday. They were badly found wanting in their final pool loss against Uruguay before pushing the Germans all the way in their 7-19 quarterfinal loss – which means the fancied Germans remain the only unbeaten men’s team.

Photo Credit: World Rugby / Mike Lee – HKCR men could secure 7th place  in Dubai – World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger 2024

HKCR Head Coach Jevon Groves had said in anticipation of the tougher games that a semifinal spot had been their goal, “We know, with the makeup of the tournament groups and how they cross over, it’s going to be very, very tough to get to that top four in this tournament. All of the teams in our pool would likely cross over with Kenya or Germany, which is tough, we have had some tough games against them.”

The Hong Kong China men will compete with Georgia for 7th, a team they have beaten in the pool stage this weekend 19-7.

The men’s semi-finals on Sunday are:

• Kenya v Uruguay
• Germany v Chile

The final day’s matches for the Asian teams:

Women 

World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger 2024 – Day 2 Results

Women

• HKCR 0-33 Poland (final pool game)
• China 30-7 Czechia (final pool game)
• Thailand 7-17 Belgium (final pool game)
• HKCR 22-10 Mexico (9th place SF)
• China 31-10 Poland (QF)
• Thailand 12-22 Argentina (QF)

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