Head coach Jevon Groves ready to confront the ‘daunting prospect’ of building new Hong Kong sevens rugby team, after 2024 Olympic qualifying hopes go up in smoke.

More rugby sevens disappointment for Hong Kong as defeat in final of Asia qualifiers leaves them facing repechage challenge. Hong Kong’s women finish third to also secure second chance to reach France.

Men go unbeaten in pool stage in Asian qualifiers in Japan, racking up 129 unanswered points to set up semi-final clash with China, while women face Japan in last four on Sunday.

Hong Kong are competing in the Asian qualifiers in Japan this weekend with the memories of what might have been in 2019 still fresh in the mind.

Head coach Jevon Groves is confident in-form Hong Kong will not repeat the mistakes of four years ago when they target Olympic Games qualification in Japan this weekend.

Liam Doherty put in a man-of-the-match performance in Hangzhou after being given a dressing down by coaches, and said acknowledging he was drifting helped reignite his drive.

Hong Kong Rugby Union chief Robbie McRobbie confirms 33 senior rugby teams opted to withdraw from competitions due to family, career or national team commitments but reiterates organisers ‘certainly haven’t shut up shop’.

In a male-dominated industry, former Hong Kong captain Royce Chan embraces the ‘vulnerability’ of coaching as she dreams of a second Rugby World Cup qualification.

Hong Kong Rugby Union CEO Robbie McRobbie ‘disappointed but relieved’ after World Rugby agrees to postpone marquee event, but says competing teams were ‘desperate’ to travel to the city had event gone ahead in April.

Captain Victoria Wong leads by example as Kowloon Rugby Club premiership squad members put their spare time to good use as they stay fit and occupied.

Coaches say the break will allow World Rugby to upgrade the overall sevens package ahead of the Olympic Games and give teams time to overcome injuries and improve their game for the 2020-21 season.

Hong Kong may have to play Samoa or Tonga to qualify for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, but first they must win the Asian Rugby Championship

The community stalwart has been made an honorary member of the HKRU Hall of Fame, and recounts a career built around the love of the game and the friends she is still making.

The Welshman helped take various national programmes to new heights while developing the game locally

This weekend, the men and women should have been playing on the big stage at the 2020 Hong Kong Sevens, but are now confined to their homes and trying to stay in shape.

Downing France, Fiji and South Africa on their way to a bronze medal at the Canada Sevens this past weekend, the squad is on the rise

Asia Sevens Invitational cancelled over coronavirus but Japan Rugby Football Union hopes April’s planned Tokyo 2020 test event can take place at a later date.

Abby Gustaitis is a certified emergency medical technician who plays professional rugby for a US squad hunting for gold in Tokyo.

The squad lost to Uruguay in the semi-finals but salvaged third place by downing Chile 12-7.

The squad will now head to Uruguay for the second leg of the series, which determines placings for the qualifying portion of the 2020 Hong Kong Sevens

A group of rugby loving businessmen has helped a start-up sevens programme grow into perennial contenders in a matter of years

The Hong Kong Football Club downed Valley in a nail-biting game as the only try came in the 78th minute

The Hong Kong-based Scot has been recognised for his ongoing use of sport as a tool for development and social change

The men will get a chance to secure prime placement for the qualifying portion of the 2020 Hong Kong Sevens against Chile, Germany, Italy, Tonga, Uruguay, Zimbabwe and regional rival Japan among others.

HKRU once again acknowledges special circumstances this coming year, noting ticket demand is around same level as 2003 when the Sars outbreak was ongoing

HKRU chief rugby operations officer Dai Rees says high-profile losses need to be mixed in with more fulsome picture

From the ‘El Macho’ and the ‘Handles’ to ‘The Lorax’ and the ‘Meester Sexy’, Hong Kong’s rugby community has come out in full support of the cause.

Hong Kong lose to South Korea in the final, but qualify for a last ditch repechage next year.

After all the waiting, it all comes down to one game against South Korea at 4.40pm Hong Kong time.