The Hong Kong Football Club (HKFC) will this weekend host yet another match featuring some exciting international names.

The Chartis Cup will be played between the Asia Pacific Barbarians and the World XV.

Both Squads will include many star players from around the World, with all of the Ticket revenue being donated to the Japan Tsunami Appeal.

David Campese, Wallaby Legend and Coach for the Asia Pacific Barbarians commented,

“It is fantastic that a company such as Chartis has stepped into the lead position to make sure this Charity Match happens. This is going to be a Match the likes of which is rarely seen anywhere in the World, least of all in Asia. As well as showing our support for the people of Japan by raising funds, we also hope the Match will help promote and develop rugby from grassroots to elite level across the region, by bringing Rugby heroes from across the World together.”

Sean Fitzpatrick and David Campese (Chairman & coach of the Asia Pacific Barbarians respectively) appearing at The Canny Man in Wan Chai, Hong Kong Pic: Mike Jansen

Fijian aces, Sireli Bobo (Racing Metro), Vilimoni Delasau and Rupeni Caucaunibuca (both at Toulouse), New Zealands Sione Lauaki (Clemont) and from Japan, Takuro Miuchi (NTT Docomo) will all be in the APBs Squad, along with new rugby union convert Willie Mason.

The World XV will boast such stars as: from France, Serge Betsen (Wasps), Jean-Baptiste Elissalde (Toulouse), Mathieu Bastareaud (Stade Francais) from England Josh Lewsey, Lesley Vainikolo (Gloucester), Steffon Armitage (London Irish) and from South Africa, Deon Carstens (Saracens) have all confirmed so far.

Our sister-site BlitzBokke.com has learned that The Sharks/Toulon lock Ross Skeate (pictured below) has also confirmed his participation.

News just in: Ross Skeate will not be taking part in the Chartis Cup this weekend due to SuperRugby commitments with The Sharks.

Trevor Gregory, Chairman, HKRFU said, “We are delighted that this charity match will be played in Hong Kong. This is a great opportunity for the rugby community to show its support for our friends in Japan, and to see some of the stars of world rugby in action.”

The Match will be played at the Hong Kong Football Club on Saturday 11th June. – Kick off at 17:00 (TBC)

Ground entry by Programme: Adults: HK$300 Child: HK$50

Hook us up on Twitter by adding @BlitzBokke for all the latest on The Chartis Cup in Hong Kong

Hong Kong team Kitchee made history at the Hong Kong Football Club earlier today when then beat some of the top sides in Liverpool (England) and Rangers (Scotland) to advance to the Final against another Glasgow side, Celtic.

Kitchee completed a dream season when they beat Scottish giants Celtic 1-0 to win the HKFC Citibank International Soccer Sevens on Sunday (15 May).

Nine days after clinching the Hong Kong league title for the first time in 47 years, Kitchee delighted local fans by adding the Soccer Sevens crown.

Spanish striker Roberto Losada (pictured above) was their hero, scoring the only goal midway through the second half of the final at Hong Kong Football Club.

“It is a special year for us,” he said. “To win the league and then the Soccer Sevens for the first time is a dream come true. We can all go away on holiday now and be very happy with our season.

“We were confident coming into this tournament, although we knew it would be tough, especially against the English and Scottish teams. We played with 100 per cent commitment and we controlled the ball well in the final.”

The final was a tense affair with the teams evenly matched but, once Losada made the breakthrough, the seasoned professionals of Kitchee played out the game in comfort against a youthful Celtic side.

Kitchee became the first Hong Kong team to win the Soccer Sevens since Instant Dict beat Chelsea in 2000.

On a day of upsets at Hong Kong Football Club, Kitchee put paid to Scottish visitors Rangers and English giants Liverpool on their way to clinching the title.

An Ubay Luzardo penalty and a drive from Lam Ka Wai gave them a 2-0 win over Rangers in the quarter-finals.

They then stunned Liverpool – who had looked the tournament’s form team – with a 2-1 success in the semi-finals. Lo Kwan Yee put Kitchee ahead before the Reds’ Nathan Eccleston brought the scores level. But Liverpool’s army of Hong Kong fans were left disappointed when Jose Diaz popped up with the golden goal winner in extra time.

Kitchee celebrate winning the HKFC Citibank International Soccer Sevens after their 1-0 victory over Scottish giants Celtic on Sunday (15 May). Pic: John Donker/Hong Kong Football Club.

Liverpool delighted their army of fans in Hong Kong with a string of powerful displays at the HKFC Citibank International Soccer Sevens on Saturday (14 May).

The Reds – making their debut in the tournament – won all three of their group games without conceding a goal to march into the Cup quarter-finals.

Striker David Amoo got them moving with the only goal against Hong Kong U18s and the same player was on target again, with Spanish wonderkid Suso notching a double, in a 3-0 victory over the local Yau Yee League Select.

Liverpool then turned on the gas in their Group A decider against Celtic, earning a convincing 3-0 win thanks to a brace from Nathan Eccleston and a neat finish from Tom Ince – son of former Liverpool and England star Paul.

“They played well and stayed focused,” said delighted Reds coach Pep Segura. “It’s a new experience for the players, it’s a big pitch for seven-a-side and it’s a little slow because it has not rained. But at this moment they are doing OK.”

The young Liverpool players departed to huge cheers and were besieged by excited autograph hunters as they headed for the dressing room.

“This is the power of the club, the name of Liverpool is famous throughout the world and it is fantastic to get a reception like this,” added Segura, whose team will play Hong Kong First Division side Citizen in the Cup quarter-finals on Sunday.

Strong start for Villa

Aston Villa made a strong start to the defence of their Soccer Sevens crown with three straight victories to top their group. Harry Forrester and Andreas Weimann were the stars of the show, bagging four goals each.

The duo scored a brace apiece as Villa beat the HKFC Captain’s Select 4-0, then Forrester netted another double and Weimann was on target again in a 3-0 victory over English non-league side Eastleigh.

Weimann and captain Jonathan Hogg were the scorers as the Soccer Sevens champions beat Citizen 2-0 to win Group C.

“It’s a perfect start – we’ve come here and done the job that we had to do,” said Hogg. “The team was solid today and we just need to keep it going for tomorrow. The teams are a lot different and play different styles but we coped well with everything that came at us.

“Andreas and Harry are doing really well, they’ve done most of the work for us and scored some great goals. You’ve got to beat the best if you want to win the tournament and no matter who we get we will put up a fight, as we always do.”

Villa – five-time winners of the Soccer Sevens since the tournament was first held in 1999 – will play Celtic in the quarter-finals.

In the Masters competition, the former English Premier League professionals of the Citibank All Stars qualified for the Cup quarter-finals but had to be content with second place in Group B.

Top Class FC – a team comprising ex-Hong Kong First Division stars – finished ahead of them after the two teams played out a goalless draw in the group decider.

The tournament concludes on Sunday with the knockout stages of both the Main and Masters competitions.

Aston Villa’s Andreas Weimann takes on the Eastleigh defence during the Premiership club’s 3-0 victory at the HKFC Citibank International Soccer Sevens on Saturday (14 May). Pic: John Donker/Hong Kong Football Club

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Howzit-HongKong.com attended the Asian5Nations match between hosts Hong Kong and Asian rugby powerhouse Japan at a packed Hong Kong Football Club (HKFC) today.

We’ve been attending events there for the last 4 years and today’s crowd was probably the best we’re encountered.  While entrance was free, there were plenty of families taking in the atmosphere.  The visitors had strong support from locally-based Japanese but the crowd was firmly behind the home team.

Out on the pitch it was a rusty Japan who eked out a win against a spirited Hong Kong, and the disappointment showed on coach John Kirwan face immediately after the match.

“The only positive out of this game was the win (45 – 22),” said Kirwan (pictured below by Mike Jansen). “But I’d rather this happens now than later on this season. We have plenty of work to do.”

Japan ran in seven tries – five of them in the first half – with winger Alisi Tupuailai grabbing a hat-trick. No.8 Ryukoliniasi Holani, flyhalf Shaun Webb, left winger Hirotoki Onozawa and flanker Michael Leitch also scored one each. Centre Ryan Nicholas collected 10 points from the boot.

No. 14 Alisi Tupuailai almost scored his 4th try but fumbled the pass with a few minutes left on the clock and time running out for HK (Pic: Mike Jansen)

But the glut turned into a drought as Hong Kong bravely fought back and took their chances superbly to leave Japan in disarray by the end of the game.

“It was a poor performance from our team,” Kirwan said. “We didn’t protect the ball and we lost our composure. I thought we were rusty at halftime, but we got rustier as the game wore on.”

Despite pre-game worries by Kirwan of a slow start, the players who are all in the preliminary World Cup squad came out firing on all cylinders, dominating both set pieces as well as in the loose to look threatening. But the spark died down after the break as a gutsy Hong Kong didn’t let up.

Gutsy Hong Kong fight-back

“We got in their faces and put them under pressure,” said Hong Kong national coach Dai Rees. “This is the best performance in recent years against Japan and the guys can be very proud of themselves.”

Hong Kong’s second-half resurgence began with a lovely break from fullback Ross Armour, who made up for his first-half sin-binning, by slicing through the midfield and sending an inside pass to replacement winger Alex McQueen who scored under the posts.

Hong Kong then capitalised on Japanese errors to run in two more tries. The first came from openside flanker Mark Goosen, who picked up from a breakdown and took the direct route to the tryline catching the defence flatfooted. Then winger Rowan Varty turned on the speed when he picked up a dropped pass metres from his own line to run the length of the pitch and score.

A slip of the finger made this a black&white, but when you have to snap Rowan Varty gunning for the line, there are no second chances and you have to be ready! Thankfully I got the shot. (Pic: Mike Jansen)

“We took our chances. We had two 50-50 chances to score tries and we took them,” Rees said. “We had an unfortunate first half and were hard done by in contact areas, but all credit to the guys for coming back strongly.”

Hong Kong captain Tom McColl praised his side for the resilience showed against Japan who has dominated the tournament since it began in 2008.

“I’m really happy that we didn’t give up. The disappointing thing is that we couldn’t quite get the bonus point for scoring four tries. This was our goal before the game, to be in contention for a win at the end or to try and score four tries,” McColl said.

“We gave away a few early soft tries but then our defence picked up. What we proved today is that we can compete with Japan and this is a huge morale boost for the team,” McColl added.

Asian5Nations Standings

The United Arab Emirates 24-10 victory over Kazakhstan leaves them at the top of the standings with eight points after round two. Japan is in second place with six points but with a game in hand on the rest of the pack. Hong Kong lie third (five points) followed by Sri Lanka (three) and Kazakhstan (0).

Week 2 of the 2011 Asian 5 Nations Rugby Tournament comes to Hong Kong this weekend.

Hong Kong host defending champions Japan this Saturday in the HSBC Asian 5 Nations, the continent’s premier 15-a-side national team rugby competition.

The match kicks off at Hong Kong Football Club at 4.00pm and entry is free.

Elsewhere, the UAE host Kazakhstan in Abu Dhabi on Friday in this week’s other fixture, while Top Five first-timers Sri Lanka have a bye.

Hong Kong have the toughest task as they face Japan, who last week had a bye and instead travelled to the SAR early as they begin their quest for a fourth successive HSBC Asian 5 Nations, while also preparing for this year’s Rugby World Cup.

Hong Kong began their campaign last week with a trip to Almaty, where they won 23-10 against Kazakhstan, runners-up to Japan in last year’s HSBC Asian 5 Nations.

Coach of Japan John Kirwan has stated that his Japan side will be fully motivated as they seek to continue their 100 per cent record in the competition since it began in 2008.

Kirwan, a star for New Zealand as they won the World Cup in 1987, will also be active this Thursday with the HSBC ARFU Rugby Coaching Tour, which will stage clinics for youngsters from local schools and mini rugby clubs during the week and the Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children on match day.

Former Scotland coach Frank Hadden, the HSBC Penguin International Coaching Academy and players from Hong Kong and Japan will all be involved in the sessions.

Mark McCombe, CEO of HSBC Hong Kong, said: “HSBC is looking forward to Hong Kong’s first home match in the 2011 HSBC Asian 5 Nations and we know there will be a big, enthusiastic crowd cheering them on.

“It’s part of our investment in the game as we seek to introduce more and more people in the SAR to the game of rugby.

“As such, we’re excited about the ongoing grassroots work being done by the HSBC ARFU Rugby Coaching Tour including the ongoing relationship with the Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children. We’re also delighted that Japan coach John Kirwan, who’s also an HSBC rugby ambassador, is so actively involved in the programme,” McCombe added.

The HSBC Asian 5 Nations comprises the Top Five and a further five four-team divisions, with promotion and relegation for the top and bottom sides in each.

The 2011 GFI HKFC Tens kicks off at the Hong Kong Football Club in Happy Valley tomorrow and runs until Thursday.

Former player and veteran Tournament Director Graig Wootten gives us his teams-to-watch list.

“There are no easy games anymore” is the warning from Wootten to any team expecting an easy ride through this year’s 24-team field.

Top seeds and last year’s beaten Cup finalists Samurai, the David Campese-led BGC Asia Pacific Barbarians, Frank Hadden’s HSBC Penguins and the always dangerous New Zealand Legends are all out to justify their seedings, but first must make sure they avoid early slip ups with dark horses dotted throughout the field.

Wootten, who played in the GFI HKFC Tens before moving behind the scenes over 15 years ago, has singled out Pool G opponents KIR Club Pyrenees and Wild Titans as potential banana skins. He also warned against underestimating tournament newcomers Niue Wanderers and the Lloyd McDermott Foundation.

“You haven’t got the named Test players coming like Jeremy Guscott because of professionalism, but certainly you have got that next tier down of a large New Zealand and Pacific Island content who are every bit as good as them,” said former centre Wootten. 

Another side singled out by Wootten is the Irish Vikings, who this year boast former England Sevens and 15s international Henry Paul and ex-Gloucester star James Forrester along with a coterie of current and former Singapore internationals.

“Every year it amazes me how competitive even the lowest ranked sides are. Gone are the days of taking it easy, the teams have full training schedules and are so competitive against even the big names. There are no easy games anymore. It gets harder every year.”

The Philippe Carbonneau-led French raiders KIR Club Pyrenees have several recently retired professionals in their ranks and could provide a tricky quarter-final opponent for the second seeded HSBC Penguins on day two, although they must first deal with the Wild Titans, who have bolstered their squad which already contains a handful of German national team players with some South Pacific flair.

“The dark horses for me are the Pyrenees boys, a few years ago they knocked off the Aliens in the pool games,” added Wootten.

“They are playing with the Wild Titans which is the German rugby academy, who are on their third visit. Last year defensively they were superb and lost in the Cup semis to the Penguins by just three points, while this year they have been bolstered by a few Kiwis who should give them the attacking flair that you need in Tens.”

Niue Wanderers have been handed the fifth seed with Wootten expecting a strong mix of strength and pace from the Pacific Islanders. Former Wallabies the Ella brothers, Mark, Gary and Glen, lead the Lloyd McDermott Foundation – a team established to support the development of indigenous youth using sport.

The Lloyd McDermott Foundation are joined in Pool F by the BGC Asia Pacific Barbarians, who are coached by Australia legend Campese, and along with fellow Wallaby great Gregan, boast an all-star line-of current and past international captains and World Cup winners. Their sixth seeding has raised some eyebrows, but their cosmopolitan mix drawn from across the Asia Pacific region must prove they can all work in harmony on their inaugural outing.

Campo returns to Hong Kong with the BGC Asia Pacific Barbarians (Pic: Daily Telegraph)

“On day one the big match up for people to see after they finish work is the David Campese Asia Pacific Baa Baas team against the Ella brothers, who will be coaching the Lloyd McDermott Foundation who will be very handy. Campo versus the Ellas is not a bad match up on day one,” said Wootten.

“The Penguins again look like a strong South Pacific side and their game against the HKRFU Chairman’s X, which is the best of the rest of the guys who don’t make the Hong Kong Sevens team but who want to keep their HSBC Asian 5 Nations hopes alive, should also be good. That’s the last game of the first day.

“Scatterlings coached by Bobby Skinstad could be an unknown quantity, while the Irish Vikings with Henry Paul are a very strong experienced side and the Borneo Eagles won the Darwin Sevens, which is an impressive achievement given the quality of the Kiwi and Fijian sides which play there.”

If the seedings work out, last year’s beaten Cup finalists Samurai will finally get their hands on the trophy which has so far eluded the globe-trotting invitational side, but there is a lot of rugby to be played over a highly anticipated two days at Hong Kong Football Club with no guarantees everything will go to plan.

On Day 1, games start at 11am and continues until 8:35pm

Day 2 sees the action return from 10am until 9pm.

Former England international Lawrence Dallaglio is the official Ambassador of the 2011 HK Tens

Add us on Twitter @BlitzBokke for all the latest from the GFI HKFC Tens

Bruce Fowler from the Southern African Association in Hong Kong (SAAHK) sent word that there are still a few seats available for this year’s Sevens Dinner.

Springbok legend and former captain Morne Du Plessis (pictured below) will be the guest-speaker at the Hong Kong Football Club event next week, while the Springbok Sevens team will again grace us with their presence.

While I didn’t attend last year when “the voice of rugby” Hugh Bladen was the guest-speaker, every other Sevens Dinner I have been to have been a special event.

Needless to say, many South Africans will be flying in from back home, so if you’re looking for something to do in Hong Kong next Wednesday evening… come join us at the Hong Kong Football Club.

Contact Bruce Fowler for more details.

bfowler@pacific.net.hk

Below are some images from previous Sevens Dinners:

The Hong Kong Rugby Football Union (HKRFU) today announced the draw and ten international teams taking part in the Cable&Wireless Worldwide Hong Kong Women’s Rugby Sevens 2011.

This year marks the 14th anniversary of the Cable&Wireless Worldwide Hong Kong Women’s Rugby Sevens and the debut of Russia, the Philippines and Chinese Taipei to the tournament.

“Cable&Wireless Worldwide is excited to be sponsoring the Hong Kong Women’s Rugby Sevens for the eighth year running. It is a privilege to be part of one of Hong Kong’s key sporting events. We truly admire the team spirit and dedication to the game demonstrated by the players, which mirrors our commitment to working with our customers as a team for their continued success,” said Nick Lambert, Managing Director, Global Markets, Cable&Wireless Worldwide.

First held in 1997, the Hong Kong Women’s Rugby Sevens has paved the way for the first IRB Women’s Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai (March 2009) and the inclusion of Rugby Sevens in the 2016 Olympic Games. Each year, the tournament draws new international teams to the competitive stage, with Russia, the Philippines and Chinese Taipei taking part in this year’s fight for the Cup.

(L-R) Coach Zanio Yong, Asisstant Coach Andy Yuen and the HKRFU ‘s Ruth Mitchell

“The Philippines’ participation in the Hong Kong Women’s Rugby Sevens is a tribute to the in roads we are making to develop Women’s Rugby in the Asian region. Each year, the region moves from strength-to-strength, with the debut of Malaysia last year, Chinese Taipei and the Philippines this year,” said Ruth Mitchell, HKRFU Director of Development.

“We are delighted to have such a strong representation of international squads. We have only invited sanctioned National teams to this year’s tournament and with no representatives from the Southern Hemisphere this year, the stage is truly set for a battle between East and West.”

The tournament draw took place today (Saturday 12 March 2011)  at King’s Park Sports Ground Club House and the results are:

HKRFU Director of Development Ruth Mitchell with the Hong Kong Women’s Rugby Sevens training squad

Twenty-four teams from Africa, Asia, Europe, Australia and New Zealand will take part in the 2011 GFI HKFC Tens.

This year’s tournament field was expanded from 16 to 24 teams to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the Hong Kong Football Club.

Making their debut at the 2011 GFI HKFC Tens, the Asian Pacific Barbarians are responsible for almost a full team of famous rugby players. From club president (former All Black skipper) Sean Fitzpatrick and coach David Campese (the legendary Aussie winger), the team also include names such as Australia’s George Gregan and former New Zealand All Black Justin Marshall.

Sean Fitzpatrick and David Campese ahead of the HK Bledisloe Cup clash (Pic: Mike Jansen)

Of course other All Blacks such as Christian Cullen and Rico Gear need no introduction, while Apolosi Satala and Viliame Satala are no strangers to Hong Kong after helping Fiji win the 2005 Sevens World Cup. Other Asia Pacific Barbarians include Timur Mashurov, the current captain of Kazakhstan at both 15s and Sevens, Japan’s Takuro Miuchi and Samoa’s Semo Sititi who have both captained their countries.

After their absence at last year’s Tens, the Scatterlings from South Africa return to Hong Kong.

Pools for the 2011 GFI HKFC 10s

Pool A: Samurai, Pakuranga Pythons, HKFC President’s X

Pool B: Valley (8), Irish Vikings, Wanchai Wanderers

Pool C: Niue (5), Australian Country, Overseas Old Boys

Pool D: Borneo (4), HK Barbarians, PLA

Pool E: NZ Legends (3), CAU, Scatterlings

Pool F: Asian Barbarians (6), Lloyd McDermott, Pakuranga Orange

Pool G: Pyrenees (7), HKFC, Wild Titans

Pool H: Penguins (2), Chairman’s X, Devils Advocate

The annual GFI HKFC Tens is generally considered as the tournament that kicks off “Rugby Week” in Hong Kong.

However, as we reported elsewhere, a new tournament was added to an already packed week.  The Hong Kong Beach 5s takes place at Repulse Bay the weekend before the Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens (19-20 March 2011).

Despite losing their “title,” organisers of the GFI HKFC Tens have added some of the world’s biggest names as a draw-card to the 2011 tournament. 

* The HSBC Penguins will again be coached by former Scotland coach Frank Hadden.

* Australia Wallaby legend David Campese will coach the Asia Pacific Barbarians in their debut tournament.

* Turning out for the Barbarians will be Australia’s George Gregan and former New Zealand All Blacks Justin Marshall, Christian Cullen and Rico Gear.

* Also At Campese’s disposal will be Apolosi Satala and Viliame Satala, who are no strangers to Hong Kong after helping Fiji win the 2005 Sevens World Cup.

* Other Asia Pacific Barbarians include Timur Mashurov, the current captain of Kazakhstan at both 15s and Sevens, and Japan’s Takuro Miuchi and Samoa’s Semo Sititi who have both captained their countries.

* Former All Black skipper and current Asian Pacific Barbarians Club President Sean Fitzpatrick

* Wallaby legends Glenn, Gary and Mark Ella are the Managers of the Lloyd McDermott Ten, an Australian youth team which supports aboriginal youth through sport.

Asian Pacific Barbarians Chairman Sean Fitzpatrick and coach David Campese (Pic: Mike Jansen)

 Former Springbok captain, the legendary Morne Du Plessis will be the guest-speaker at the annual Sevens Dinner hosted by the Southern African Association in Hong Kong.