Hong Kong Sevens: Teams chase last title at So Kon Po

The annual Hong Kong Sevens tournament will be played for the last time at the Government Stadium in So Kon Po this weekend.

That will feature both men's and women's teams competing in the sixth leg of the Sevens circuit.

Fiji, who has not won a tournament in the last 19 events they have competed in, are playing their first tournament under new coach Osea Kolinisau.

Kolinisau last month replaced Ben Gollings, who was sacked by the Fiji Rugby Union.

Former sevens wizard Waisale Serevi, who won two Sevens World Cup titles for Fiji at the So Kon Po ground, says the Fiji men's team can win, but they will need to make the right decisions at critical times.

This, he said, was lacking in the past 19 tournaments they had participated in, "where they could have won matches but failed to make it in the end".

"I wish the team well and know that the coaches and those who have raised their hands to the challenge can do it."

Serevi said watching the last event at the Government Stadium this weekend will be an emotional affair.

He played most of his sevens rugby on the paddock, after transferring from the Happy Valley Stadium in the early 1990s.

"It has become a memorable ground for many of us who played there," he said.

"I am lucky to be invited back again this year and to watch the event being held in So Kon Po for the last time."

He said the Hong Kong Sevens in So Kon Po has given birth to many good things including the current Sevens series and the Olympic Games sevens programme.

"Both were discussed and born out of talks around the Hong Kong Government Stadium years back, so it is sad to see that the event will not be played there again."

Fiji men's team is in Pool A with France, Australia and Canada.

Coach Osea Kolinisau said his focus has been on defence and playing 'go-forward rugby'.

He is keen to get a win in his first assignment and also at what many believe is Fiji's second sevens home in Hong Kong.

He told FBC Sports not winning in the last 19 tournaments is not easy to take in for him and players, who had gone through the system in the last 15 years and built a reputation for Fiji sevens.

'It will always hurt, of course," he said.

"I always want Fiji to win, especially after building something up with the boys in 2014, building a culture and the system of the team..

"But to see not winning for a long time ... I think it really hurts and [I'm] happy to come in and try to help out with the boys."

He recalled veteran Vatemo Ravouvou, who won a gold medal at the 2016 Olympic sevens.

Ravouvou has been named captain.

"We've had rigorous training over the past two weeks to ensure the boys are primed for this crucial leg of the series," Kolinisau said.

"Their competitiveness and determination in training are evident, and they're highly motivated."

Samoa hopeful

Samoa sevens head coach Muliagatele Brian Lima is hoping his side will be able to make it to the last eight at the event.

Lima said they will have a tough pool to fight through, but was confident.

"We know the competition is getting tougher every year and now with the new format of 12 teams, it makes it harder," he said.

"All our games will be tough but it is good because it is good preparation too for the Olympic Games."

Samoa are in pool C with Ireland, Spain and South Africa.

Fijiana preparing

The Fijiana sevens team is the only Pacific women's team in the tournament.

They are in a tough pool B, with series leaders Australia, South Africa and an improved Ireland outfit.

New captain Raijieli Daveua said they have been preparing well and are eager to showcase their skills this weekend.

"Yes we are ready for this weekend," she told FBC Sports in Hong Kong.

"The girls are all ready and looking fit. We just can't wait to play this weekend."

Hooper debuts in sevens

The news coming out of the Australian camp is the inclusion of the Wallabies' third most-capped player, Michael Hooper.

World Rugby said Hooper, a veteran of 125 test matches, gets a chance to stake a claim for a place in Australia's Olympic Games team after a frustrating injury delay to his fledgling sevens career.

His inclusion is one of two changes made by coach John Manenti with Maurice Longbottom also returning from a calf injury.

"We're really excited about heading back to Hong Kong, where we have had some recent success," Manenti said.

"Our performances in LA were some of our best this season and we have the opportunity be better again next week."

He said Hooper has worked hard to get into the team.

"We're all delighted to welcome the 'rookie' into the mix. Like any new player it will be a learning experience for him, and an important start point to a potential Paris Olympics.

"Every pool is tough and ours is no exception with Fiji first up and then Los Angeles winners France to kick off day one action. We'll need to be at our best."

New Zealand are the defending Hong Kong champions.

Pool matches kick off on Friday with finals scheduled for Sunday.