HONG KONG SEVENS TICKETS

South Africa`s Mtawarira faces deportation

South African player Tendai `Beast` Mtawarira faces deportation as Chairman of the National Rugby Association Butana Komhela feels all player that represent South Africa should be `bona-fide`. SA Rugby Union president Oregan Heskins denies violations for illegally fielding the Zimbabwe player without consulting proper regulations.

Marco Bortolami recall

Marco Bortolami has been recalled by Italy for the RBS Six Nations. The team have also recently re called un capped players Riccardo Bocchino of Rovigo and Francesco Minto of Palmer. Their Captain Sergio Parisse will miss out on playing due to injury.

Gavin Henson to make a comeback

Gavin Henson has been in talks with Osprey Manager Mike Cuddy this week, concerning a possible return to the field. The player is on indefinite unpaid leave due to injury but may be brought in for the knock outs for the Heineken Cups and for this season.

Rob Purdham shoulder injury

It looks as if Harlequins Captain Rob Purdham will miss the opening match of the Super League XV clash against Wakefield on the 30th January. The player injured his shoulder during a pre season training session.

Justin Hodges out for injury

Australian centre Justin Hodges is set to be out of action for around six months. The player ruptured his Achilles tendon during a training session in Brisbane at the weekend and will undergo surgery next Tuesday.

Nick Wood to stay at Gloucester

Nick Wood is set to stay with Gloucester for his career after signing a 3 year deal with the club. The player has made 100 appearances for the club and coach Bryan Redpath is pleased they player will remain part of their team.

Lote Tuqiri costs too much for the Leicester Tigers

Following the temporary transfer of Lote Turqiri as an injury replacement for Geordan Murphy, the Leicester Tigers may not be able to afford the star next season. The former Wallaby winger was on a temporary 6 million loan deal and their budget for the following year is unlikely to accommodate his huge salary.

French rugby salary capped at 7.1m

All the top French rugby teams are to be salary capped at 7.1m for the 2010/11 season. Currently the budget stands at around 20m compared to the England Guinness Premierships 5 million. Many distinguished English players have moved to French team because of the high salary, the most recent being Johnny Wilkinson who moved to Toulon. Other stars to cross to France include James Haskell and Rikki Flutey. Reports also advise that for the 2012/13 season 40% of the team must be recruited through the Youth Ranking scheme.

Jerry Flannery back in 5 weeks

After earlier reports fearing injured Jerry Flannery would be out of action for months, following diagnostic surgery the injury is not as bad as first thought. Jerry, who plays for Ireland and Munster had injured his Archilles tendon and following the investigation doctors have confirmed he should return to the field in around 5 weeks.

Quade Cooper to undergo counselling

Wales and Reds player Quade Cooper is to undergo a counselling. Following the personal off pitch difference between the Queensland Rugby Union, Australian Rugby Union and Rugby Union Players Association this year, it has been ordered that Quade undergo a personal development course.

The star is due in court July next year for a incident that happened on the Gold Coast, and he has been ordered to undergo the counselling in order to secure his employment until the case is finished. Quade will now resume training with the Reds.

Hogg out for 6 months

Edinburgh and Scotland player Ally Hogg is out of action for at least 6 months. The number 6 player has a tear in his hip muscle and is to undergo surgery. Unfortunately, this means that the 26 year old will be out of the Six Nations as well as the Heineken and Magnors League.

Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens Tickets Sale on 16 January 2010

The Hong Kong Rugby Football Union (HKRFU) today announced that tickets for the Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens 2010 will go on public sale on January 16 2010. you can check the price from Hong Kong Sevens Tickets price section .

In recent years, the HKRFU has invested HK$65 million into local facilities development, including its tenancy of King's Park Sports Ground, which not only hosts rugby but other sports such as softball and the Yau Yee league football, as well as the Sandy Bay Sports Ground. The HKRFU is currently examining the possibility of supporting new projects, including the development of a community sports ground in Tin Shui Wai.
"We believe the increase is a manageable one and that the price of a Sevens ticket remains excellent value for a three-day long international event in Hong Kong," said Mr John Jackson, General Manager of the HKRFU.

"The additional revenues generated from this increase will be channelled directly into our facilities fund, which will allow us to continue our strategic investment into sporting facilities in Hong Kong," added Jackson.

The HKRFU will again use local ticketing agent, Hong Kong Ticketing, to sell event tickets in 2010. Tickets will go on sale to Hong Kong and Macau residents starting at 10.00am on Saturday, January 16, 2010.

At least 5,000 tickets will be made available for the local public to purchase on January 16. To continue the unique tradition of the Hong Kong Sevens as a family event, the HKRFU has confirmed it will again offer a limited number of children's tickets for children 12 and under.

When considering tickets sold through local rugby clubs and other HKRFU stakeholders, 75% of Sevens tickets are sold in Hong Kong.

To ensure the widest possible distribution of tickets individual purchases will be restricted to a maximum of two (2) per person in any combination of adult or child tickets.

South Africa Crowned Champions at 2007 Singapore Sevens

The SA Vipers of South Africa beat defending champions Ponsonby of New Zealand 50-0 in an exciting final to take the 2007 Singapore Cricket Club International Rugby Sevens title at the weekend.

The SA Vipers had earlier beaten off Davetalevu (Fiji) 19-14, while Ponsonby had overcame Sharks Academy (South Africa) 14-12 to reach the final.

On day one, the Hong Kong Dragons, made up of a combination of development and established players, defeated PNG Rookies (Papua New Guinea) 17-14 and Gove NT (Australia) 14-0, but lost to Tepapapa Barbarians (NZ Tongans) 7-28, who went on to win the shield title.

The Dragons defeated Palmyra (Australia) 29-12 at the plate quarter-finals. The team was propelled into the finals after Colin Bisley helped the team defeat PNG Rookies 22-17 during the sudden-death period. Unfortunately, the USA Eagles defeated the Dragons 19-5, taking home the plate title.

“I’m pretty happy with the result,” said national coach Rodney McIntosh. “The level of competition we saw at Singapore was one of the highest I’ve ever seen. There were seven international teams there, including Australia, New Zealand, the Arabian Gulf, South Africa, Kenya and Papua New Guinea, so the standard was very high.”

“The guys did very well despite the three injuries we had – Jeff Wong dislocated his shoulder, Rowan Varty strained his calf muscle and Johnny Elliot damaged his shoulder.

“If we had had a full bench, then maybe the result in the final would have been better, but I’m still happy with the result,” McIntosh said.

The tournament, held on October 27-28 at Padang, was the 60th held so far.

The Hong Kong team:

Nigel D’Acre, Yuen Kin-ho, Aleksander Zenovic, Jonathan Elliot, Ashley Wayburne, Mike Fung Kin-kay, Colin Bisley, Andrew Chambers, Rowan Varty, Fan Shun-kei, Lai Yiu-pang and Jeffery Wong Chun-kiu.

Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens 2008 Title Sponsorship Announcement

The Hong Kong Rugby Football Union (HKRFU), Cathay Pacific and Credit Suisse today announced the signing of a new four-year title sponsorship deal for the world-renowned Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens.

The new four-year, multi-million dollar sponsorship agreement sees Hong Kong’s flagship airline, Cathay Pacific Airways, and leading international financial services group Credit Suisse extend their co-title sponsorship rights to the Hong Kong Sevens through 2011.

Attending today’s press announcement at Olympic House are Mr James Barrington, Director of Sales and Marketing of Cathay Pacific Airways, and Mr Paul Calello, Chief Executive Officer of Credit Suisse Investment Bank and Credit Suisse Asia Pacific. The Director of Marketing and Executive Director of the HKRFU, Mr Paul Dingley and Mr Allan Payne respectively, are also in attendance.

Speaking on behalf of the HKRFU, Mr Dingley said: “We are delighted to continue our partnership with Cathay Pacific and Credit Suisse, for four more exciting years. The long-term sponsorship commitment will help us maintain the unique status of the Hong Kong Sevens as the preeminent tournament in the IRB World Sevens Series.”

Mr Barrington of Cathay Pacific commented on the sponsorship extension saying: “Cathay Pacific is delighted to be joining with Credit Suisse for a new four-year sponsorship deal for the Hong Kong Sevens. The Sevens is one of the best-loved events on the sporting calendar and is a huge draw for rugby fans from both Hong Kong and overseas. Cathay Pacific is committed to help stage world-class events in its home city and I'm sure this new sponsorship deal will help take the Hong Kong Sevens to new heights.”

Mr Calello also remarked on the new sponsorship, saying: “After sponsoring the Hong Kong Sevens for 10 years, we know what the fans have always known: You won't see better Sevens rugby anywhere else in the world.

“The tournament complements our annual Asian Investment Conference, the premier investor conference in the region, and together they make it the best week to be in Asia for investors and sports enthusiasts alike.”

The agreement will see Cathay Pacific and Credit Suisse continue their joint involvement as co-title sponsors of the Hong Kong Sevens since 2004.

Hong Kong XVs Team Announcement

The Hong Kong XVs rugby squad announced their team selection on November 12, 2007.

Coach John Walters said of the team: “We have selected on club form primarily but heavy consideration has been given to the amount of gym work the guys have put in over the summer.

“We have selected a big forward pack with a focus on ball carriers and set piece. Our backline has an exciting look to it with plenty of speed and power. Our game plan is reliant on strong and agile ball carriers and aggressive defenders, and I feel this team more than meets the criteria.”

“We are building toward the Asian Five Nations, so these January Tests will provide us with the opportunity to start and build some continuity around our game plan and some consistency in selection,” Walters added.

Brian Higgins will act as Assistant Coach.

The Hong Kong XVs team:

Forwards:
Andrew Li
Pete Spizzirri
Simon Leung
Nigel Hobler
Ng Wai Shing
Wayne Whitney
Jon Abel
Laurence Denvir
Ivan Zenovic
Nick Hurrell
Kan Wing Fat
Nigel Clarke
Graham Manchester
Semi Iafeta
Kris Marin
Justin Gregory

Backs:
Mark Wright
Lee Cheuk Yin
Justin Temara
Kenzo Pannell
Anthony Haynes
Jason Going
Nigel D'Acre
Gavin Hadley
Jonathan Elliot
Rowan Varty
Andrew Wong Kee
Simon Smith
Colin Bisley
Mike McKee

2008 Hong Kong Sevens Public Ticket Sale

The Hong Kong Rugby Football Union (HKRFU) will hold its public ticket sale for the 2008 Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens at the Hong Kong Stadium on Saturday, December 8, 2007. To accommodate the strong growth in the numbers of local rugby players and supporters in Hong Kong, particularly at youth rugby level, Hong Kong Sevens tickets have been allocated to all HKRFU Member Clubs and HKRFU stakeholders from September 2007.

This policy not only ensures that active and long-term supporters of local rugby enjoy priority access to tickets but also provides an effective channel and incentive for the continued growth of rugby in Hong Kong. Internationally, ticket and accommodation packages are being sold through the HKRFU’s 10 official overseas travel agents and Cathay Pacific, the tournament’s co-title sponsor and official airline.

Mr Allan Payne, Executive Director of the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union commented on the policy saying, “The ticketing policy is designed to meet the ever increasing local demand for tickets to the Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens in the most equitable manner possible, while also ensuring that members of the Hong Kong rugby community, who support rugby 365 days a year, enjoy first priority to obtain their tickets.”

5,000 tickets have been allocated for the December 8 Public Ticket Sale which will begin at 11:00am. No event tickets will be sold before 11:00am, however, to ensure maximum safety and comfort for people queuing for tickets, the Hong Kong Stadium Gates will open at 10:30am.

Starting from 10:30am, each person in the queue will be admitted for seating inside the Stadium based on their numerical order in the queue. Each participant will be given a special queue number place card before being escorted to a seating area inside the stadium.

Ticket buyers must present their queue number place card when purchasing tickets. Those without their queue number place card will not be able to purchase tickets. Once seated inside the Stadium, the Diamond Vision Screen and public address system will be used to advise queue number place card holders which of the two public ticket sale kiosks they can purchase their tickets from.

In light of the high demand for Hong Kong Sevens tickets in the local community, the HKRFU has reduced the number of tickets that can be purchased by each member of the public to two tickets each. This policy brings the Public Ticket Sale quota in line with that of local rugby club members who are also each allowed to purchase a maximum of two tickets. The two tickets can consist of any combination of Adult and Children's Tickets. Children's tickets will be limited and sold on a first come, first served basis.

The HKRFU is confident that the reduction in the number of tickets sold to each person will help ensure a better distribution of tickets amongst the local public.

To further guarantee that tickets are sold to local audiences and remain within the local community, those wishing to purchase tickets will be required to present a valid Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR Identification Card or passport to purchase tickets.

To ensure that locally sold tickets will be distributed amongst the Hong Kong community, no tickets for the Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens will be sold on the internet outside of the websites of Cathay Pacific and the HKRFU’s official overseas travel agents.

Anyone purchasing tickets on internet websites is advised that these tickets have not been sold through official channels and are not HKRFU approved sales.

Pricing:

The Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens 2008 will be held from March 28 to 30 2008 at the Hong Kong Stadium. Ticket prices for the three-day Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens 2008 are HK$1,080 per adult and HK$300 per child up to the age of 12 years old.

Wan Chai Rugby Fun Day Kicks off on Sunday

Nearly 2,000 people are expected to take part in the Wan Chai Rugby Fun Day at the Southorn Playground on December 2, 2007.

The Hong Kong Rugby Football Union (HKRFU) has organised an action-packed day of family fun, with games stalls, rugby bouncy castles and touch rugby demonstration matches, with the aim of promoting rugby to local youngsters. Learn all about rugby and the local clubs from the helpful staff at the information booths.

The event, sponsored by the Wan Chai District Council, will kick off at 2pm and end at 6pm. Entry is free and open to the public. Children will also get the chance to take home rugby souvenirs featuring the special event mascot, the “Little Rugby Dragon”.

Demonstration rugby matches will be held at the football ground; with the minis clubs playing touch rugby from 2pm-4pm and senior touch and tag matches to be held from 4pm-6pm.

“This will be the first Rugby Fun Day, but the fourth event we have organised with sponsorship from the Wan Chai District Council. Wan Chai is the ‘home’ of Hong Kong rugby, because within the district there is the Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong Football Club and Olympic House,” said Robbie McRobbie, the HKRFU’s community rugby manager.

Other venues include So Kon Po, the national training centre and home ground of Kowloon Rugby Football Club and Causeway Bay Rugby Football Club; Happy Valley, home ground of Valley Rugby Football Club and the Union’s most used community pitch; and Causeway Bay, home ground of the CWB Monkeys.

“We are very appreciative of the support of the Wan Chai District Council and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department in supporting the growth of rugby in the district,” Mr McRobbie said.

This is the fourth event the HKRFU has held with the Wan Chai District Council. The first was the Street Sports Promotion in January 2007; the second was the Wanchai District Sports Festival on February 11; and third was the Try Rugby session on September 1.

Members of the press are welcome to attend the event.

Wan Chai Rugby Fun Day:
Date: Sunday, December 2
Time: 2pm-6pm
Venue: Southorn Playground, Wan Chai

Newsroom New Zealand win Dubai Sevens

[IRB.com, December 1, 2007] - New Zealand seized control of the final with a fine first half display against Fiji, but then had to withstand an incredible fight back from the islanders to win the Dubai Sevens for the first time since 2002.

Leading 21-0 at the break after tries by Zar Lawrence (2) and Nigel Hunt, Gordon Tietjens' men stretched that advantage to 26-0 when Steven Yates crossed after Neumi Nanuku became the second Fijian player to be sin-binned in the final.

Fiji threw caution to the wind, attacking from everywhere and were rewarded Nanuku, Vereniki Goneva and Akuila Nawerecagi touched down to cut the deficit to five with little more than a minute remaining.
However there was to be no fairytale fourth try for Fiji, that instead going to New Zealand when Yates rounded off a move in which they appeared to have knocked on, clinching a 31-21 victory.

The win represents New Zealand's third consecutive IRB Sevens Cup title after their crowning glory last season and gets their Series title defence off to the best possible start.

Two tries from Tomasi Cama had seen New Zealand recover from Renfred Dazel's opening try to lead South Africa 12-7 at half time in the first Cup semi-final. South Africa, who were missing the injured Mzwandile Stick, had beaten New Zealand in last year's final and thought they had won again when a Fabian Juries try was ruled out for a forward pass to him by Danwel Demas.
The second semi-final was equally dramatic with Tom Guest among the scorers as England fought back to trail Fiji by a single point - 22-21 - with little time remaining. The young England team thought they had then snatched it, but the ball was ruled held up and they could not find another way through.
Fiji had earlier ended Scotland's Cup challenge with a 28-5 defeat of Scotland, just as convincing as New Zealand's 40-7 victory over Argentina. South Africa though endured a scare, their 17-0 half time lead evaporating to just two as the fast finishing Kenyans scored three second half tries.

PLATE
Argentina won an equally dramatic Plate final with a 15-14 defeat of Samoa in a match which was the classic game of two halves. Samoa, beaten 26-19 by England in the Cup quarter-finals, led 14-0 at the break with tries by Pulemalie Sopo and Alafoti Fa'osiliva and seemed on course for victory.
But Argentina are renowned for their spirit and three quickfire tries - all of them unconverted - from Alejandro Abadie, record try scorer Santiago Gomez Cora and Agustin Gosio saw them deny Samoa the silverware in Dubai.
Argentina and Samoa will contest the Plate final after ending the challenges of Kenya and Scotland respectively. Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino scored two tries as Argentina ran out 17-14 winners, despite a last gasp try by Kenya's Collins Injera.

Samoa also found the going difficult against Scotland, who took the lead when Colin Gregor collected on the bounce to touch down. Two tries from Reupena Levasa stretched the lead before Scotland fought back to 21-19 only for Alafoti Fa'osiliva to score his second try of the match.

BOWL

Australia claimed the Bowl title after overcoming a brave Canadian outfit 31-0 with the electric Peter Owens scoring a hat-trick of tries. Canada went into the match without their wing Daniel van der Merwe due to an ankle ligament injury, and then saw Nathan Hirayama join him on crutches by its conclusion.
Van der Merwe and Hirayama had earlier helped Canada overcome France 21-5 in the semi-final and their North American rivals USA 21-12 in the last eight. Australia, meanwhile, had withstood a Welsh fight back to win their semi-final 22-19, after earlier dispatching Arabian Gulf 36-5.
Wales had needed a late try from James Merriman to pip Tunisia 17-12 in their quarter-final, while Zimbabwe had given France a scare with a fight back before Loic Mazieres crossed twice for a 24-19 victory.

SHIELD

Zimbabwe won the Shield with the last play of the game when Gerald Sibanda's brilliant step left the Tunisian defence flat-footed to go under the posts for his second try of the final and one that clinched a 22-19 victory.
Tunisia had started brightly, but tired at the end as Zimbabwe's pace proved the difference with the flying Wensley Mbanje also scoring a try double to show why he'd been shortlisted for the star of the tournament.

Sibanda and Tangai Nemadire had earlier helped Zimbabwe recover from 17-5 down at half time against USA to triumph 29-17 in the semi-final, while Tunisia ran out more convincing winners - 36-0 against the Arabian Gulf.

STANDINGS:
1. New Zealand - 20
2. Fiji - 16
3. England - 12
3. South Africa - 12
5. Argentina - 8
6. Samoa - 6
7. Kenya - 4
7. Scotland - 4
9. Australia - 2

Public Ticket Sale Update

The Hong Kong Rugby Football Union (HKRFU) will hold its public ticket sale for the 2008 Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens at the Hong Kong Stadium on Saturday, December 8, 2007.

To accommodate the strong growth in the numbers of local rugby players and supporters in Hong Kong, particularly at youth rugby level, Hong Kong Sevens tickets have been allocated to all HKRFU Member Clubs and HKRFU stakeholders from September 2007.

This policy not only ensures that active and long-term supporters of local rugby enjoy priority access to tickets but also provides an effective channel and incentive for the continued growth of rugby in Hong Kong. Internationally, ticket and accommodation packages are being sold through the HKRFU’s 10 official overseas travel agents and Cathay Pacific, the tournament’s co-title sponsor and official airline.

Mr Allan Payne, Executive Director of the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union commented on the policy saying, “The ticketing policy is designed to meet the ever increasing local demand for tickets to the Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens in the most equitable manner possible, while also ensuring that members of the Hong Kong rugby community, who support rugby 365 days a year, enjoy first priority to obtain their tickets.”

5,000 tickets have been allocated for the December 8 Public Ticket Sale which will begin at 11:00am. No event tickets will be sold before 11:00am.

To ensure maximum safety and comfort for people queuing for tickets, the stadium gates will open at 10:30am, or once the queue reaches 1,000 people, by request of the Hong Kong Stadium management and the Hong Kong Police.

Starting from 10:30am, each person in the queue will be admitted for seating inside the Stadium based on their numerical order in the queue. Each participant will be given a special queue number place card before being escorted to a seating area inside the stadium.

Ticket buyers must present their queue number place card when purchasing tickets. Those without their queue number place card will not be able to purchase tickets. Once seated inside the Stadium, the Diamond Vision Screen and public address system will be used to advise queue number place card holders which of the two public ticket sale kiosks they can purchase their tickets from.

In light of the high demand for Hong Kong Sevens tickets in the local community, the HKRFU has reduced the number of tickets that can be purchased by each member of the public to two tickets each. This policy brings the Public Ticket Sale quota in line with that of local rugby club members who are also each allowed to purchase a maximum of two tickets. The two tickets can consist of any combination of Adult and Children's Tickets. Children's tickets will be limited and sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

The HKRFU is confident that the reduction in the number of tickets sold to each person will help ensure a better distribution of tickets amongst the local public.

To further guarantee that tickets are sold to local audiences and remain within the local community, those wishing to purchase tickets will be required to present a valid Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR Identification Card or passport to purchase tickets.

To ensure that locally sold tickets will be distributed amongst the Hong Kong community, no tickets for the Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens will be sold on the internet outside of the websites of Cathay Pacific and the HKRFU’s official overseas travel agents.

5,000 Tickets Sold to Public at Today's Sale

The Hong Kong Rugby Football Union successfully held its official Public Ticket Sale for the Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens 2008 today at the Hong Kong Stadium. All 5,000 event tickets were sold by 3:00pm.

As expected, public demand for tickets was high with several hundred people queuing overnight and early this morning. By 7:00am more than 2,500 ticket buyers had already joined the queue.

Upon the advice of the Hong Kong Police and Hong Kong Stadium management, the Stadium gates were opened to the queue members at 7:30am. Ticket sales began at the official starting time of 11:00am and were completely sold out in four hours.

Mr Allan Payne, Executive Director of the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union, commented on today’s public sale saying, “It was a great turn-out today and as ever we are most thankful for the support from the general public and our rugby community. We understand that some people will be disappointed not to get their tickets but this is the unavoidable, but unfortunate, outcome of the popularity of the Hong Kong Sevens. The ticket sale ran very smoothly and we want to thank the local public for their patience and good humour.”

The Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens 2008 will be held from Friday, March 28, to Sunday, March 30, at the Hong Kong Stadium.

Hogg out for 6 monthsEdinburgh and Scotland player Ally Hogg is out of action for at least 6 months. The number 6 player has a tear in his hip muscle and is to undergo surgery. Unfortunately, this means that the 26 year old will be out of the Six Nations as well as the Heineken and Magnors League