Winning the Melrose Claymores: The other Hong Kong Sevens competition

It is not just the HSBC SVNS World Championship that will occupy spectators this weekend at The Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens this weekend.

Because while 24 of the world’s top men’s and women’s teams are making first impressions ahead of further stops in Valladolid and Bordeaux, Hong Kong China are coming to defend the Melrose Claymores.

Although you would not necessarily call it a trophy. The Melrose Claymores is actually a pair of traditional Scottish sword that was exchanged with the birthplace of rugby sevens,

“It’s a massive sword!” Chloe Chan, Hong Kong China captain, told svns.com. “It’s super heavy and quite scary because it is pretty sharp! But it was so special.”

For Hong Kong China, being on the turf of Kai Tak Stadium hands players a chance to play in front of 50,000 baying fans for three days in a row. And hopefully lift silverware too.

“There’s no feeling you can compare running out at the HK7s to, it’s in a world of its own!” James Christie, Hong Kong China co-captain, told RugbyPass. “The energy from the crowd is electric and really gets us pumped for the games.

“It means everything to me having the privilege to run out in front of a home crowd and friends and family, not many teams have the chance to do that.

“There is also huge focus on inspiring the next generation, so making sure we perform on the field in order for the youth to chase there dreams and wanting to run out like we did when we were younger.”

In the men’s competition Hong Kong China will take on China and Japan, while the women’s competition comprises of the hosts, Thailand and Denmark.

The tournament also provides preparation for both teams ahead of this September’s Asian Games in Japan. Another step on the way to 2028 Olympic Games qualification.

“This weekend from the team there is huge emphasis on doing the simple things well,” Christie said. “If we can get our skill accuracy and our tackle completion rate high then we will be in a good place to perform well.

“Also living in the moment, it does get crazy out there at times when we are on the pitch so making sure we stay calm and do our jobs.”

For women’s captain Chan, there is an added wrinkle to wanting to do well. Players in the men’s and women’s squad were inspired to first pick up a rugby ball when attending Hong Kong Stadium in their youth. It is about the future and growing the game more in the years to come.

“Exposure is everything,” Chan said. “All we want to do is inspire the next generation of young local girls to come up and play. We’re at a point where women’s rugby is exponentially growing.”