The Rugby Sevens action continues this weekend, as Hong Kong plays host to the next leg on the circuit. Both men’s and women’s actions will be taking place this weekend, with competitive matches expected to be staged across the weekend of competition in both. But, can any one stop the dominant New Zealand in the men’s half of the tournament?
Men’s HSBC Sevens Hong Kong Preview & Pick
The men’s action in Hong Kong gets underway on Friday, as the event returns for the first time since the 2018-19 season. On that occasion, Fiji was crowned winners, with France taking second. The United States finished in third, with Samoa taking fifth. New Zealand will be the clear favorites in the betting this weekend, as they have already excelled this season.
The All Blacks sit top of the standings after seven completed tournaments, as they have accumulated 120 points. New Zealand has claimed victories in two of the previous three events, with the successes coming in the Sydney and Los Angeles competitions. However, a response will be expected after they only picked up 13 points in Vancouver in the previous round.
Argentina is the most likely danger to New Zealand for top spot in the standings, and they bridged the gap with success in Canada in the previous round. That was their second competition win of the season, having previously beaten New Zealand in the Hamilton Sevens.
Fiji could be the standout pick to take third overall, as they have finished in that position in two of the previous three events. However, it is hard to look past New Zealand when it comes to the tournament winner.
Pick: New Zealand at BetXchange.
Women’s HSBC Sevens Hong Kong Preview & Pick
There will be extra significance for the women’s event this weekend, as the Hong Kong Sevens is the penultimate competition on the calendar. Once again, New Zealand holds all the cards, as they lead the standings coming into the weekend.
The nation has been excellent throughout the series to this point, as they have picked up four tournament wins and one second in five outings. New Zealand has been exceptionally dominant in the previous rounds, as they come to Hong Kong looking to land a fifth straight tournament win.
Australia appears to be the main danger to them achieving that target, as they have finished in the top three in all but one of the events this season. Their lowest finish game in their home tournament, as they finished fourth overall. The USA could once again be a solid contender in Hong Kong, as they have finished third in all five events this season.
However, their best performance remains their second at the Hamilton Sevens. France is the only other nation that has achieved a top three finish this season, as they claimed second at the Sydney Sevens. But, we can’t see anything stopping New Zealand winning a fifth straight Sevens event this weekend.
Pick: New Zealand at BetXchange.
