World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger 2024 Montevideo Pools

The pools for the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger 2024 second round, due to take place in Montevideo, Uruguay from  8-10 March, were drawn at the Perth SVNS. 

Feature Photo Credit: Photo credit: Mike Lee – KLC fotos for World Rugby

Updated 8th March 2024

The China women and Kenya men were the victors in the opening round in Dubai in January, but there are a clutch group of contendors in both divisions.

The 24 competing teams enter the second round with a better idea of the level of competition in the HSBC Sevens Challenger series and already know full well what is at stake. The Thailand and  Hong Kong China Rugby women, and the HKCR men and Japanese men will want to improve in the second leg to aim for a top-four placing by the end of the 2024 Series.

Kenya (men), Japan (women and men) and Uruguay (men) – will showcase their talents on the biggest stage of all at the Olympic Games in Paris 2024. Several teams in the Challenger Sevens will still have a chance to qualify at the Monaco Repechage tournament including the HKCR men and women, and the Chinese women.

World Rugby Chief Competitions and Performance Officer Nigel Cass said: “The pool draw for the second round of the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger 2024 in Montevideo has resulted in some really exciting match-ups after an outstandingly competitive opening round in Dubai in January.

The Challenger provides very meaningful global competition with a clear promotion pathway to reach the pinnacle HSBC SVNS and we expect the competition in Montevideo to be intense from start to finish with more than ever at stake for the teams involved.”

Cass added, “This year is a huge one for rugby sevens, with the launch of the new HSBC SVNS and the increased number of tournaments in the Sevens Challenger, before we reach the Olympic Games in Paris which provides the single greatest opportunity to showcase the speed, skill and all action drama of this popular short format of the sport.”

Following the second round in Uruguay, the teams head to Europe for the third and final round – Germany and Poland for men and women respectively.

The top four placed men’s and women’s teams will secure spots in the new promotion and relegation play-off competition at the HSBC SVNS 2024 Grand Final in Madrid.

World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger 2024 Montevideo Women’s Pools

Vice President of Uruguay Beatriz Argimón welcomed the captains of the 24 teams at the Legislative Palace ahead of International Women’s Day in Montevideo. The captains were also given a tango class but their swift footwork will be on display at Estadio Charrúa starting on International Women’s Day, 8 March, 2024.

Argimón said “Rugby is a sport of discipline, with permanent dedication, with a lot of time and hours of training; it also means a commitment to the comprehensive development of very committed women in a society that increasingly needs women in all areas of life.”

In the women’s competition, log leaders China have been drawn to face Poland, Czechia and Paraguay in Pool A.

Lu Zhuan’s side beat both European sides in the first leg at The Sevens Stadium, and he has been able to able to select an unchanged squad for the second round.

Photo credit: Mike Lee – KLC fotos for World Rugby – China Women 7s in Montevideo

Kenya, losing finalists in Dubai are drawn together with Belgium, Papua New Guinea and Hong Kong China in Pool B.

Hong Kong China Rugby women’s 7s Head Coach Andy Vilk’s team features four changes from the first leg.  Co-captain Melody Li and fellow forward Chloe Chan are recovering from injuries, while backs Jessica Ho and Sabay Lynam are both unavailable.

Shanna Forrest and Jasmine Fung Hoi Ching – both were at the Asia Rugby Olympic Qualifiers in November, and the Baltazar sisters, Micayla and Chloe, are in the squad.

World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger 2024 Montevideo – HKCR Women

Argentina, bronze medallists in Dubai, will face Uganda, Thailand and Mexico in Pool C.

Argentina women’s captain María Paula Pedroso said before the tournament: “We are very excited about this tournament, about taking one more step forward and reaching the grand final. We had very intense training sessions where we were able mainly to polish some defensive issues.

I send greetings to all women, have a great International Women’s Day on Friday, and especially to those who play a sport as fierce as rugby.”

World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger 2024 Montevideo Men’s Pools

The men’s leaders Kenya will take on 2023 Challenger champions Tonga along with Georgia and Portugal in Pool A.

Kenya men’s co-captain Vincent Onyala said of the leg in Uruguay: “It is a good feeling having had a stellar performance in the first round in Dubai and we hope to do the same here in Montevideo. We know our fans are out there watching and we are up to the task, we are not going to disappoint you. We will keep going and ultimately we are hopeful to get a podium place at the Olympics.”

Pool B for the Men sees the two Asian contenders HKCR & Japan drawn with Chile and Mexico.

Ten of HKCR Head coach Jevon Groves’ squad from Dubai return for the second leg, with fly-half Russ Webb and forward Pierce Mackinlay-West absent.  Asian Games gold medallists Ale Nardoni and Hugo Stiles have both returned from injury and are with the squad.

Dubai bronze medallists Uruguay, are in another competitive-looking Pool C where they will play Germany, Uganda and Papua New Guinea.

Uruguay men’s captain Diego Ardao said: “We have been waiting for this day with a great desire to play and test ourselves and continue positioning ourselves in the table. Obviously, the Olympic Games comes at the end of the season in July.

Every test we have between now and then will be a great opportunity to prepare. We are going to go step by step; first the Challenger in Montevideo, then go to Munich and so on. Without a doubt, each step and each day is an opportunity to prepare ourselves.”