Hong Kong Sevens Preview

The final rosters have been submitted and we are all set to go for the Hong Kong Sevens, the most prestigious event on the HSBC Sevens Series. As in recent years there will also be a separate qualifying draw for 12 teams who will be attempting to become a core team on next year’s circuit. Three Americas teams will compete in the main draw with another three in the qualifiers.

Complicating selections for this year’s tournament is the proximity to the Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast. This year’s Rugby Sevens event will take place next weekend. As a result some teams have opted to send below-strength teams to Hong Kong with their stars rested.

The core qualifiers are set to begin at midnight Eastern time (Thursday) with the main draw getting underway at 6am Eastern early Friday morning. Matches will be broadcast live on the CBC Sports website in Canada, while ESPN will broadcast in the USA and South America.

A complete fixture list for the core qualifiers can be seen here, with the main draw here.

 

MAIN DRAW

 

POOL A

Three Pacific nations are joined by Russia. Vancouver champions Fiji have sent nearly their strongest side with only two players – Sevuloni Mocenacagi and Jasa Veremalua – rested for the Gold Coast. Samoa will rest Elisapeta Alofipo and Joe Perez with Tila Mealoi named as 13th man. New Zealand meanwhile have sent a reserve side with only six players boasting previous HSBC circuit experience while Russia have recalled former captain Vladimir Ostroushko.

FIJI (2)
Paula Dranisinukula, Isake Katonibau, Semi Kunatani, Mesulame Kunavula, Waisea Nacuqu, Alasio Naduva, Amenoni Nasilasila, Kalione Nasoko, Vatemo Ravouvou, Eroni Sau, Jerry Tuwai (capt.), Josua Vakurunabili, Samisoni Viriviri

NEW ZEALAND (3)
Jordan Bunce, Tima Fainga’anuku (13th man), Rocky Khan (capt.), Luke Masirewa, Jona Nareki, Tone Ng Shiu, Amanaki Nicole, Joe Ravouvou, Salesi Rayasi, Akuila Rokolosoa, Dan Schrijvers, Bailey Simonsson, Isaac Te Tamaki

RUSSIA (15)
Ilya Babaev, German Davydov (capt.), Yuri Gostyuzhev, Vladislav Lazarenko, Vladimir Ostroushko, Ivan Ovchinnikov, Patris Peki, Artur Solomyany, Vladislav Sozonov, Dmitri Sukhin, Sergey Yanyushkin, Pavel Zhigailov (13th man), Vitali Zhivatov

SAMOA (9)
David Afamasaga, Jacob Ale, Tomasi Alosio, Neria Fomai, Tom Iosefo, La’aloi Leilua, Tila Mealoi (13th man), Alamanda Motuga, Silao Nonu, Murphy Paulo, Belgium Tu’atagaloa, Alatasi Tupou (capt.), Lafaele Va’a

 

POOL B

Kenya and Canada enter their top sides, opting instead to use Hong Kong as a warm-up for the Gold Coast. Australia have followed New Zealand’s lead and named a reserve side featuring only five Series veterans. Con Foley is recalled to lead the inexperienced team. A full-strength Spain team will eye a possible upset over the weakened Australians.

KENYA (8)
Eden Agero, Willy Ambaka, Andrew Amonde, Collins Injera, Augustine Lugonzo (13th man), Ian Minjire, Billy Odhiambo, Samuel Oliech, Jeffrey Oluoch, Oscar Ouma (capt.), Arthur Owira, Nelson Oyoo, Daniel Sikuta

AUSTRALIA (4)
James Armstrong, Henry Clunies-Ross, Sam Croke, Sam Figg, Con Foley (capt.), Harrison Goddard, Matt McTaggart, Lachie Miller, Dylan Pietsch, Nicky Price, Triston Reilly, Jerad Skelton, Nicko Tuvitu (13th man)

SPAIN (14)
Javier Carrión, Jaike Carter, Pablo Fontes, Igor Genua (capt.), Francisco Hernández, Ignacio Martín, Jacobo Martín, Thomas Pearce, Pol Plà, Marcos Poggi, Ignacio Rodriguez-Guerra (13th man), Manuel Sainz-Trapaga, Iñaki Villanueva

CANADA (11)
Connor Braid, Tevaughn Campbell, Admir Cejvanovic, Andrew Coe (13th man), Justin Douglas, Mike Fuailefau, Nathan Hirayama, Harry Jones, Isaac Kaay, Pat Kay, Luke McCloskey, John Moonlight (capt.), Matt Mullins

 

POOL C

Invitational side South Korea will have some mighty competition but thankfully will not face the full might of South Africa or England, both of whom have named second-rate sides. Only one player from the Blitzbooke, Zain Davids, will compete at the Gold Coast. England duo Alex Davis and Charlie Hayter will join the rest of the Commonwealth Games side after Hong Kong. Scotland have given Joe Nayacavou an extra weekend to recover from injury. The Scots will fancy their chances to top the pool given

SOUTH AFRICA (1)
Heino Bezuidenhout, Selvyn Davids, Zain Davids, Muller du Plessus, Stedman Gans, Dewald Human (capt.), Marco Labuschagne, Dash Mafuma, James Murphy, Mfundo Ndhlovu, Sandile Ngcobo (13th man), Ryan Oosthuizen, Rhyno Smith

ENGLAND (7)
George Chatterton, Alex Davis, Will Edwards (capt.), Will Glover, Fergus Guiry (13th man), Charlie Hayter, Ben Howard, Charlton Kerr, Charlie Kingham, Ryan Olowofela, Callum Sirker, Charlie Spawforth, Will Wilson

SCOTLAND (12)
Glenn Bryce, Matt Fagerson, Jamie Farndale, James Fleming (13th man), Nyle Godsmark, Darcy Graham, George Horne, Ruaridh Jackson, Lee Jones, Gavin Lowe, Max McFarland, Ally Miller, Scott Riddell (capt.)

SOUTH KOREA (NR)
Kun-Kyu Han, In-Jo Hwang, Jeong-Min Jang, Jin-Gu Kang, Hyun-Soo Kim, Jeong-Min Kim, Na-Muk Kim, Jae-Bok Lee, Jin-Kyu Lee, Yong-Seung Lee, Jun-Hui Lim, Hang-Yul Park

 

POOL D

Both Americas teams, the USA and Argentina, have sent powerful rosters bolstered by returning players. The Eagles welcome back Stephen Tomasin and Maka Unufe while the Pumas have Olympic trio Santiago Álvarez, Rodrigo Etchart, and Germán Schulz at their disposal. France are given a major boost with the return of inspirational playmaker Terry Bouhraoua. Wales are the only Commonwealth side in the pool and have sent a young team with only four players set to move on to the Gold Coast.

USA (6)
Malon Al-Jiboori (13th man), Perry Baker, Danny Barrett, Martin Iosefo, Carlin Isles, Matai Leuta, Chris Mattina, Folau Niua, Ben Pinkelman (capt.), Brett Thompson, Stephen Tomasin, Maka Unufe, Kevon Williams

ARGENTINA (5)
Santiago Álvarez, Renzo Barbier, Lautaro Bazán, Felipe del Mestre, Rodrigo Etchart, Luciano González Rizzoni, Santiago Mare (13th man), Marcos Moroni, Matías Odadczuk, Gastón Revol (capt.), Conrado Roura, Franco Sábato, Germán Schulz

WALES (13)
Afon Bagshaw, Ethan Davies, Cai Devine, Lloyd Evans, Jacob Flynn, Joe Jenkins, Phil Jones (13th man), Tomi Lewis, Harri Millard, Dafydd Smith, Luke Treharne (capt.), Tom Glyn Williams, Morgan Williams

FRANCE (10)
Samual Alerte, Jean-Pascal Barraque, Paul Bonnefond, Terry Bouhraoua, Manöel Dall’Igna (capt.), Nisie Huyard, Charles Lagarde, Pierre-Gilles Lakafia, Jean-Baptiste Mazoué, Thibaud Mazzoleni, Pierre Popelin (13th man), Paulin Riva, Tevite Veredamu

 

CORE QUALIFIERS

 

POOL E

The most competitive of the qualifying pools features one team with HSBC Series experience this season in Uganda and former core team Japan. Chile appeared on the senior circuit last year with Georgia relative newcomers to this level of competition. Japan’s roster features five Pacific Island players including a first HSBC selection for giant Fijian forward Jose Seru. Los Cóndores are led once again by Felipe Brangier and are boosted by Rodrigo Fernández who has recovered from injury.

JAPAN
Kazuhiro Goya, Kosuke Hashino, Joseph Lilidamu, Siosifa Lisala, Naoki Motomura, Jone Naikabula, Masahiro Nakano, Dai Ozawa (capt.), Katsuyuki Sakai, Jose Seru, Kameli Soejima, Ryuta Yasui

UGANDA (17)
Joseph Aredo, Desire Ayera, Adrian Kasito, Timothy Kisiga, Ivan Magomu, James Odong, Aaron Ofoyrwoth, Pius Ogena, Solomon Okia, Lawrence Sebuliba, Michael Wokorach (capt.), Philip Wokorach

CHILE
Julio Blanc, Felipe Brangier (capt.), Benjamín de Vidts, Rodrigo Fernández, Francisco Metuaze, Ignacio Silva, Marcelo Torrealba, Francisco Urroz, Martín Vallejos, Pedro Vershae, Martín Verschae, Lucas Westcott

GEORGIA
Niko Aptsiauri, Zurab Dzneldaze, Giorgi Gogoladze, Levan Gogolashvili, Giorgi Kveseladze, Giorgi Mchedlishvili, Saba Shubitidze (capt.), Anzor Sichinava, Ilia Spanderashvili, Irakli Svanidze, Akaki Tabutsadze, Luka Yurin

 

POOL F

Host side Hong Kong have some work to do if they hope to get out of the pool. Papua New Guinea have appeared on the HSBC circuit this season and Germany have sent a strong team coached by former South Africa standout Vuyo Zangqa. Zimbabwe have named a mixed of youth and experience with the powerful Njabulo Ndlovu contrasting the lightning-quick Stephen Hunduza.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA (16)
Arthur Clement, Emmanuel Guise, Henry Kalua (capt.), Gairo Kapana, Dean Manale, Joseph Mocke, Hensley Peter, Freddy Rova, Patrick Tatut, William Tirang, Eugene Tokavai, Wesley Vali

GERMANY
Claude Brechenmacher, Anjo Buckmann, Max Calitz, John Dawe, Marvin Dieckmann, Sebastian Fromm, Fabian Heimpel, Bastian Himmer, Niklas Hohl, Tim Lichtenberg (capt.), Kain Rix, Carlos Soteras-Merz

HONG KONG
Kane Boucat, Sebastian Brien, Michael Coverdale, Max Denmark, Toby Fenn, Jamie Hood, Cado Lee, Chris Maize, Jack Neville, Ben Rimene (capt.), Yiu Kam Shing, Russell Webb

ZIMBABWE
Ngoni Chibuwe, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, Stephan Hunduza, Ziyanda Khupe, Hilton Mudariki (capt.), Njabulo Ndlovu, Gardner Nechironga, Riaan O’Neill, Connor Pritchard, Boyd Rouse, Lenience Tambwera, Biselele Tshamala

 

POOL G

All eyes are on Uruguay in this pool as they have entered a very strong side boosted by danger men Federico Favaro and Santiago Arata. Ireland will be hoping to spoil their party as they fancy a first-ever shot at core status. The Cook Islands have only three players with previous HSBC event experience while the Jamaican team is entirely new to Hong Kong. Only captain Conan Osborne will move on to play on the Gold Coast next week.

IRELAND
Robert Baloucoune, Will Connors, Shane Daly, Billy Dardis (capt.), Ian Fitzpatrick, Foster Horan (13th man), Hugo Keenan, Terry Kennedy, Harry McNulty, Bryan Mollen, Jimmy O’Brien, John O’Donnell, Mark Roche

URUGUAY (18)
Joaquín Alonso, Santiago Arata, Diego Ardao, Agustín Della Corte, Felipe Etcheverry, Tomás Etcheverry, Federico Favaro, Ignacio García, Guillermo Lijtenstein, Eugenio Plottier, Gabriel Puig (capt.), Gonzalo Soto Mera

JAMAICA
Nathan Annakie, Sam Caven, Josh Christie, Omar Dixon, Oshane Eddie, DyNeal Fessel, Tyrese Johnson-Fisher, Alpachino Mignott, Conan Osborne (capt.), Sam Rees, Conor Segree, Spencer Sutherland

COOK ISLANDS
James Iopu-Johnston, Junior Kiria, James Kora, Samuelu Leuta, Matamanea Matapakia, Junior Napara, Teu Paerau, Jason Potoru, Teina Savage, Francis Smith, Patella Tou, Stephen Willis (capt.)