Hong Kong Men Target Rugby Sevens Breakthrough at HSBC SVNS 3 in Dubai
Hong Kong’s men’s rugby sevens team is set to begin a crucial chapter in its push toward the global elite when it competes at the HSBC SVNS 3 tournament in Dubai next month. The team has been drawn into a challenging pool that includes Samoa, Tonga and Colombia, with every match carrying high stakes for progression.
Fresh from winning gold at the National Games, Hong Kong enters the eight team tournament knowing there is little margin for error. To advance beyond the pool stage, the side must secure at least two victories from its three matches, a requirement that would place them into the semi finals. Only the two finalists from the Dubai event will move on to the next phase of the competition, making consistency and composure essential.
The tournament structure adds to the pressure. While Hong Kong faces Samoa, Tonga and Colombia in Pool A, Pool B features Belgium, Canada, Italy and Madagascar. With just two teams progressing overall, a single slip could end hopes of advancement. For Hong Kong, this makes the opening games particularly important, as strong early performances can build momentum and confidence.
Success in Dubai would earn Hong Kong a place in HSBC SVNS 2, the next stage of qualification, which will be staged across three weekends in Kenya, Uruguay and Brazil in February and March. At that level, the two advancing teams from Dubai will compete against established sides including Kenya, the United States, Germany and Uruguay. The goal there is to finish among the top four, which would secure entry into the newly created twelve team HSBC SVNS World Championship Round.
That elite round will begin with the Cathay HSBC Hong Kong Sevens in April, offering the prospect of competing on home soil against the best teams in the world. For Hong Kong rugby, reaching that stage would represent a significant milestone and a clear signal of progress in the international sevens landscape.
Head coach Jevon Groves has made it clear that the Dubai tournament is about more than results alone. Reflecting on last season’s Challenger Series, where both the men’s and women’s teams struggled against opponents they had expected to overcome, Groves said he wants to see performances that truly reflect the team’s preparation.
He acknowledged that the previous campaign was disappointing and said there were key areas the squad was determined to address, particularly in terms of competitiveness at the regional qualifier level. Groves also stressed the importance of earning the chance to play in more high quality tournaments, noting that strong results in the division three competition could open doors to additional international opportunities.
As the countdown to Dubai continues, Hong Kong’s players know that the path to the sevens elite is demanding but achievable. With careful preparation, belief and execution, the team has an opportunity to turn recent lessons into meaningful progress on the global stage.
