Hong Kong Sevens: local men’s pair set for Kai Tak baptism of fire, as ‘new era begins’
City teams confirm 13-player squads for Cathay/HSBC Sevens Kai Tak Stadium bow, as men aim to shed South Africa disappointment
Two talented youngsters could make their international debuts in the white-hot atmosphere of this week’s Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, after the city’s 13-player men’s and women’s squads were named on Sunday.
James Kee, 19, and 24-year-old Rory Stewart-Cox were both included in Jevon Groves’ party, as Hong Kong try to bounce back from a disappointing Challenger Series.
Groves said his side had “reflected on why we were so poor” in South Africa, where ninth- and 10th-place finishes extinguished any hopes of promotion to the elite HSBC SVNS Series.
The hosts will defend the Melrose Claymores title they won 12 months ago when they compete with China and Japan over three days at Kai Tak Stadium, which is set to welcome record attendances from Friday, with almost 43,000 three-day ticket packages already sold.
“There is always pressure in Hong Kong,” Groves said. “It’s more than the rugby – we want to try to inspire people to get involved in the game.
“The boys will stay calm and play how we want. Whatever we struggled with in the Challenger, in terms of external pressure [we have to overcome]. For parts of the Challenger we looked a good team, but we weren’t consistent – that is what we’re looking for this week.”