The HSBC World Rugby series begins in Hong Kong 7s Rugby 2022 November 04-06 and with Paris 2024 Olympics qualifying spots up for grabs in the men’s and women’s events there is plenty to get excited about this season.
Defending series champions Australia will begin in a “Pool of Death” with New Zealand, Samoa, and hosts Hong Kong. In addition, there will be record numbers of legs on the circuit for both men and women.
The women’s series kicks off 2-3 December in Dubai.
Below, look at the key details ahead of this year’s exciting series, including top storylines, stars to watch out for, schedules, Olympic qualifying details, and more.
READ MORE: How to watch World Rugby Sevens 2022 (Hong Kong) Live streams
The men’s series will feature 15 core teams (competing in every event) including Argentina, Australia, Canada, Fiji, France, Great Britain, Ireland, Japan, Kenya, New Zealand, Samoa, South Africa, Spain, USA, and Uruguay.
The core teams compete in a record-equalling 11 rounds, with other nations invited to compete at individual events.
Over 20,000 tickets have been sold for the popular Hong Kong leg, which begins the men’s season and returns after a two-year absence due to the pandemic.
Who is set for the Sevens party returning to Hong Kong? #HSBC7s | #HK7s pic.twitter.com/ebRfRYJvGX
— World Rugby 7s (@WorldRugby7s) October 23, 2022
Hong Kong 7s Rugby 2022 fixtures
Match 1 Ireland 7s vs Kenya 7s
Match 2 Argentina 7s vs Canada 7s
Match 3 USA 7s vs Spain 7s
Match 4 Fiji 7s vs Japan 7s
Match 5 France 7s vs Great Britain 7s
Match 6 South Africa 7s vs Uruguay 7s
Match 7 New Zealand 7s vs Samoa 7s
Match 8 Australia 7s vs Hong Kong 7s
Saturday 05 November
Match 9 Ireland 7s vs Canada 7s
Match 10 Argentina 7s vs Kenya 7s
Match 11 USA 7s vs Japan 7s
Match 12 Fiji 7s vs Spain 7s
Match 13 France 7s vs Uruguay 7s
Match 14 South Africa 7s vs reat Britain 7s
Match 15 New Zealand 7s vs Hong Kong 7s
Match 16 Australia 7s vs Samoa 7s
Match 17 Kenya 7s vs Canada 7s
Match 18 Argentina 7s vs Ireland 7s
Match 19 Spain 7s vs Japan 7s
Match 20 Fiji 7s vs USA 7s
Match 21 Great Britain 7s vs Uruguay 7s
Match 22 South Africa 7s vs France 7s
Match 23 Samoa 7s vs Hong Kong 7s
Match 24 Australia 7s vs New Zealand 7s
Hong Kong 7s Rugby Pool
| Pool A | Pool B | Pool C | Pool D |
| AUS
NZL SAM HKG |
RSA
FRA GBR URU |
FIJ
USA ESP JPN |
ARG
IRE KEN CAN |
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- Boks Ireland Rugby 2022: Return of the Kolbe at fullback for Springboks
- Fiji Hong Kong 7s Rugby tournaments from November 4-6
Hong Kong Sevens vs Covid-19: how tournament came back from brink to beat toughest opponent
The legacy of Covid-19 will be clear for all to see when the 2022 Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens returns on November 4-6.
Holding the tournament after three years of Covid-related cancellations will bring some relief to the city, even if reminders of the pandemic are visible throughout.
Hong Kong Stadium will not be full, given the 85 per cent cap on its 40,000 capacity. Scanning a QR code on entry using the LeaveHomeSafe app and complying with vaccination requirements will make it a Sevens like none before it.
And spectators must show a photo of a negative RAT, marked with their name and the date and time, obtained that day.
- From cancelled Sevens in 2020 and 2021 to an event proceeding under pandemic constraints, the Post recaps a testing three years
- Fans at November’s tournament must wear masks, show a RAT result and obey gathering rules – but the Sevens has survived
Food and drink may be bought on the stadium concourse and consumed in one’s seat. Face masks must be worn at all times when not refuelling, and in the stands people must remain in groups of 12 or fewer, in line with anti-gathering rules.