Everything you need to know about 2023 HSBC Hong Kong 7s

The Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong 7s makes its 47th comeback this weekend 31 March – 2 April to the renowned Hong Kong Stadium, and for the first time ever, the top 12 women’s nations are set to join the men.

The event serves as the eighth round of the HSBC World Rugby 7s Series 2023 in the men’s competition.

For the first time in the event’s 46-year history, the top 12 women’s nations, including the hosts, are set to join the men’s series for a nerve-cracking three-day competition.

Considering that the previous year's Covid-19 regulations, which set a cap on attendance at 34,000 were repealed, the stadium is likewise anticipated to be completely packed. The entire 40,000 capacity is accessible this year.

In Vancouver, Argentina triumphed in the men’s leg while the women’s title went New Zealand’s way. The Black Ferns also top the season standings for both men and women.

What makes the Hong Kong 7s even more exciting is the competitive price of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 qualification that is on offer for the top four women’s and men’s teams in the 2023 Series standings.

Women’s category- pools.

The women’s series has seen five tournaments compared to seven for the men. New Zealand’s Black Ferns sit firmly in first place with 98 points having won the last four tournaments in Cape Town, Hamilton, Sydney, and Hamilton.

In Pool A, Series leaders New Zealand will tackle Canada, Great Britain, and invitational side Hong Kong China.

Vancouver 7s runners-up Australia will lock horns with Fiji, Ireland, and Brazil in Pool B while Pool C has the USA, France, Japan, and Spain.

Australia and USA women can qualify for Paris 2014 this weekend by advancing to the cup quarterfinals, to potentially join France and New Zealand.

All teams in the men's and women's tournaments will play their first two pool matches on day one, their third pool game and first knockout game on day two, and the remaining two knockout games, including the men's and women's cup finals, on day three.

Shujaa kick off timings at Hong Kong Sevens revealed

Kenya 7s run

Shujaa will be keen to improve their performance after they finished 10th in Vancouver to move up to 13th place in the World Series.

Damian Mc Grath’s charges have been placed in a tricky pool that sees them face ninth-placed Ireland, log leaders New Zealand and South African Blitzboks.

This time, the tactician has included the services of KCB RFC’s Johnstone Olindi and Geoffrey Oluoch who will be making his first start in this season’s World Rugby 7s Series.

The stakes are also high at the bottom end of the men’s series this season.

Following the penultimate event in Toulouse, the 15th-ranked team will be relegated to the 2024 Challenger Series while the 12th and 14th ranked will face off against the Sevens Challenger Series 2023 winner for the 12th and final position on the 2024 series.

Rugby fans who will not be in Hong Kong can read the action live on Mozzart Sport.