Fiji to play Argentina in blockbuster Hong Kong Sevens quarter

Fiji will take on reigning Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens men’s champions Argentina for a spot in the final four at this weekend’s event, with the matchups set ahead of the quarters on Saturday evening at Kai Tak Sports Park.

Apete Narogo scored two tries as Fiji held on for a nail-biting 26-24 win over France on day two, which saw them top Pool B. But it doesn’t get any easier for Fiji, who are searching for their first title at the fan favourite stop since 2019.

Argentina will be their opponents in an elimination blockbuster, as they look to bounce back from a shutout 38-0 defeat to South Africa. Martiniano Arrieta was shown a red card during the first half for a tip tackle, which saw Los Pumas Sevens play the majority with six men on the park.

It was a mighty statement for regular season champions South Africa to make, following their shock loss to Spain on day one. The Blitzboks needed to either beat Argentina or claim a losing bonus point to make the quarters, and did that easily in the end.

SVNS 1 champions South Africa were in danger of missing out on the quarters before play got underway on Saturday, but ended up placing first in Pool A. Spain progressed as the second-best team in that group, while Argentina qualified as one of the best third-place sides.

Fiji and France were the two qualifiers out of Pool B, while Australia and New Zealand clocked in as top teams out of the other group. SVNS 2 qualifiers Kenya have also moved on out of Pool C, set to face South Africa in the quarters.

Paris Olympic gold medallists France will play New Zealand in the first men’s quarter-final. Both teams are looking to bounce back from defeats earlier on day two, with the All Blacks Sevens falling to rivals Australia 12-5 in a thriller.

Whoever moves on out of that match will compete against the winner of South Africa versus Kenya for a place in the Men’s Cup Final. Kenya made the SVNS Singapore Cup Final last season but were ultimately relegated to the second division at the end of the campaign.

On the other side of the draw, an Australian outfit will take a wealth of confidence into their quarter-final against Spain. Australia are one of just two unbeaten sides in the men’s draw, with Fiji also boasting a 3-0 record.

If Australia and Fiji avoid defeats in the quarters, then their unbeaten records will be put to the test in the semi-finals. Fiji come up against Argentina in the final match of the night, set to take the field at 8:28 pm local time.

Men’s quarter-finals at Hong Kong Sevens

France vs New Zealand at 6:03 pm

South Africa vs Kenya at 6:28 pm

Australia vs Spain at 8:05 pm

Fiji vs Argentina 8:28 pm

Women’s quarter-finals at Hong Kong Sevens

Canada vs USA at 5:13 pm

New Zealand vs Spain at 5:38 pm

France vs Japan at 7:19 pm

Australia vs Fiji at 7:42 pm