World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series: Hong Kong teams prepare for final tilt at elite status
- Men’s coach Jevon Groves opts to leave out captain Max Woodward and winger Salom Yiu for second leg in Stellenbosch
- Women’s coach Paul John makes 3 changes with one eye on getting players as much international experience as possible
Hong Kong men’s coach Jevon Groves has opted to drop captain Max Woodward for this weekend’s second leg of the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series.
Despite Hong Kong needing to win to have any chance of qualifying for the next stage of the process to reach the World Series, Groves has made two changes to the squad that finished third in Stellenbosch five days ago.
As well as Woodward, winger Salom Yiu Kam-shing is rested, with Callum McCullough and Harry Sayers replacing the pair. Russell Webb will captain the squad with Seb Brien as vice-captain.
With plenty of rugby ahead, the decision to rest the influential duo was taken with the Asia Rugby Sevens Series and Asian Games later this year in mind.
Also playing a part was the fact that Hong Kong’s fate is not in their own hands, finishing third last time out means the likes of Tonga, who won, and Germany, who were second, need to slip up.
The winners of the men’s competition earn a place in a play-off, alongside those sides ranked 13th to 15th in the World Series, with the top team earning a place on the elite circuit.
