Sevens to Heavens

Hong Kong's favourite international rugby tournament returns, plus five more events for November

- Lauren James

Whip out your banana suit, slap on your sunscreen and charge your glass: the Hong Kong Sevens returns this month after three postponement, years of though expect certain rules to keep everyone safe. Fans attending the tournament will need to be fully vaccinated with a vaccine pass, use the LeaveHomeSafe app, wear masks and sit in groups of no more than eight, and capacity of the 40,000-seat arena is restricted to 85 per cent. Drinks are the only permitted refreshments in the stands, with food limited to designated areas. And despite hotel quarantine being nixed in time for the rugby, the number of overseas spectators will be far lower than at previous tournaments.

That said, the matches represent a turning point in Hong Kong's "zero covid" pandemic strictures and will be a bellwether for the return of largescale, non-seated events, restoring some of the city's damaged reputation as a tourist destination. "This is really all about getting Hong Kong moving again, and [is] an opportunity to demonstrate that Hong Kong can still throw a good party," says Hong Kong Rugby Union chief executive Robbie McRobbie.

This will be the fifth Sevens outing for Max Woodward, captain of the Hong Kong team. Here, he conveys his excitement for the comeback of the year.

How does it feel to be gearing up for the first Sevens in three years?

It's pretty special. For it to be confirmed and coming up very quickly is super exciting. The Hong Kong Sevens is the marquee event for us: we train throughout the year, we play our tournaments, we have our own goals, but the Sevens is where people realise that the team exists. It represents something a bit bigger; something for people to get behind and support to show their love for the city through a team is really special. It has been a tough few years for everyone, but it feels like there is light at the end of the tunnel. And the Sevens represents that.