McGrath labels Hong Kong 7s among the best in the circuit

Damian McGrath, current head coach of the men’s national rugby sevens side Shujaa, has labelled the Hong Kong Sevens as one of the best tournaments in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series ahead of the team’s participation in the event scheduled to take place from 4-6 November.

The tournament, which will mark the start of the 2023 World Rugby 7s season, will be making its return to the calendar for the first time after a two year absence enforced by the novel coronavirus pandemic.

With its high-octane rugby on the pitch and a festival of colour, noise and downright craziness off it, the Pacific Hong Kong Sevens has been a show stopping event like no other since it was first staged in 1976 with McGrath, who has coached England, Canada and Samoa in the tournament set to take Kenya there in a few weeks’ time for the first time since taking over.

“Hong Kong Sevens is unique. It combines some of the best rugby you will ever see, sold-out crowds, and what seems to be a non-stop party – all set against the iconic backdrop of a famous skyline.

Shujaa head coach braces for tough season opener in Hong Kong Sevens

It somehow has something for everyone. For the aficionado, the rugby and the stadium’s ability to generate and hold an atmosphere make it almost peerless in sporting events.

For the casual follower or even the non-rugby person, the Hong Kong experience (shopping, sightseeing and eating) followed by a three-day extravaganza at the sevens will make it a trip you’ll never forget,” the head coach is quoted on the World Rugby Sevens website.

Ahead of the season opener, McGrath will be hoping Kenya can enjoy the tournament where it matters most as they were drawn in a tricky Pool D against Ireland, Argentina and Canada.

In the other groups, Pool A - arguably the Group of Death - has defending Series Champions Australia, who won their first-ever crown in the 2022 campaign clashing against powerhouse New Zealand, Samoa and hosts Hong Kong who are the invited team the season opener.

South Africa, France, and a combined Great Britain squad appearing in Hong Kong for the first time since the Baa-Baas Sevens sides of the early 1980s are joined by series debutants Uruguay in Pool B.

Defending Rugby World Cup Sevens world champions Fiji top Pool C – and are out to mark more milestones with six straight wins in Hong Kong. Out to stop them at the first hurdle are the USA, Spain and Japan.