The annual Hong Kong Sevens Tournament is considered the International Rugby Board's "Jewel in the Crown" in the Sevens World Series. It continues to grow in popularity with players and spectators. Rugby World Cup Sevens 2005 was the second time Hong Kong has hosted RWC Sevens and this year marks 33 years of sevens rugby in Hong Kong. In 1993, the first Rugby World Cup Sevens Tournament was held in Scotland, where the game of Sevens had originated. Hong Kong was awarded the prestige...
more »The annual Hong Kong Sevens Tournament is considered the International Rugby Board's "Jewel in the Crown" in the Sevens World Series. It continues to grow in popularity with players and spectators. Rugby World Cup Sevens 2005 was the second time Hong Kong has hosted RWC Sevens and this year marks 33 years of sevens rugby in Hong Kong. In 1993, the first Rugby World Cup Sevens Tournament was held in Scotland, where the game of Sevens had originated. Hong Kong was awarded the prestige of hosting the 2nd Rugby World Cup Sevens in 1997, which was a huge success in a memorable year for Hong Kong as it was handed back to China and became a Special Administrative Region. During the years after the Rugby World Cup Sevens it was apparent how important the game of Sevens rugby had become in the development of good rugby players. Players such as Jonah Lomu, Christian Cullen, George Gregan to name a few first demonstrated their speed and agility in the Hong Kong Sevens. The IRB, recognising the value of the game of Sevens, launched its inaugural World Sevens Series in 2000–the 25th year of Sevens Rugby in Hong Kong–to enable more players to benefit from Sevens competitions. A core of 10 to 12 of the world's top teams now participate in tournaments in Dubai, South Africa, South America, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and Asia.
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