Australia’s men have joined their female colleagues in the Hong Kong Sevens quarter-finals after a stunning turnaround.
After blowing several chances against New Zealand during their opening 21-12 defeat on Friday, Australia’s men needed to make a statement to have a hope of progressing out of Pool B – and that they did, smashing South Africa 26-7, before sealing their place in the final eight with a comfortable 28-12 win over Uruguay.
The strong bounce-back kept Australia’s hopes alive of winning a second Hong Kong Sevens crown, three years after John Manenti’s side ended their 34-year drought in 2022.
“We could have made it easier by winning the first game yesterday, but things don’t go to plan, you’ve just got to bite down the mouth guard and keep turning up and that’s what we’ve done,” said Aussie veteran Maurice Longbottom, who is one of five players left in the squad that was a part of the “misfits” who won in 2022.
Longbottom said his side didn’t care who they faced in the quarter-finals.
“The competition’s pretty fierce. As long as we worry about ourselves and nut out the things that we need to fix and go out on the pitch and execute it, it doesn’t really matter who we play, so I’m not too fussed on who we’re coming up against.”
Henry Paterson was one of Australia’s best during his side’s win over South Africa at Kai Tak Stadium on March 28, 2025 in Hong Kong. (Photo by Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
The veteran playmaker might not care who they play, but Australia has a strong chance of making the last four against Great Britain (8:51pm AEDT).
If they get that far, Australia will dare to dream about going deep on Sunday on then competition’s biggest stage.
“This is the home of sevens, really, isn’t it?” Longbottom said.
“Everyone always wants to win a Hong Kong Sevens and to have one of those under the belt, I think it’s amazing on the resume. I’m lucky enough to have one of those.”
Earlier on Saturday, Australia’s women survived a scare to beat Japan 14-10 and go 3-0 in pool play.
Already missing several first-choice stars, including Charlotte Caslick, Tim Walsh’s side will be sweating on the fitness of Teagan Levi after the physical baller missed her side’s scrappy win over the Japanese.
Australia will play the United States in the quarter-finals at 10.01pm AEDT on Saturday.
Christy Doran travelled to the Hong Kong Sevens thanks to the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Cathay Pacific and The Langham.
Christy Doranhttps://https://ift.tt/xCkX5qT men set up QF blockbuster with GB at Hong Kong Sevens, women to take on USA
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