Hong Kong dual-code rugby star explains ‘mentally taxing’ juggling act, targets World Cup
Centre Gabby Rivers, who says university graduation will be ‘game-changer’ for her mentality and skills, harbours big Hong Kong ambitions
Dual-code star Gabby Rivers said juggling 15s and sevens international commitments is “mentally taxing”, but the talented centre would welcome more matches against top-quality opposition to help Hong Kong “build our game IQ”.
Hong Kong’s bid to qualify for next year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup ended when they finished fifth in this year’s WXV3 competition. Rivers was among the Hong Kong contingent who sandwiched that 15s tournament, in September and October, with Asia Rugby Sevens Series (ARSS) legs in Korea and Thailand. Hong Kong’s overall ARSS third-place finish earned them a spot in next year’s second-tier Challenger Series.
“There is loads going on and it’s hard having to balance both [codes],” Rivers said. “It’s such a blessing to play so much rugby, but sometimes you feel you’re not completely invested in one or the other.
“Transitioning [between 15s and sevens] is hard on the mind. The skill level is similar … but the gameplans and tactics are completely different.
“Committing fully to both is mentally taxing … but it’s my passion. You also have to give yourself some leniency and accept you cannot always be 100 per cent.”
Hong Kong, ranked at world No 18, registered their only WVX3 victory over 25th-ranked Madagascar. They lost to the two nations directly above them in the world standings, Fiji and Netherlands.
