The Hong Kong Sevens kicks off this Friday, with last year's champions eager to defend their titles at a particularly special edition – the tournament's 50th anniversary.

Captains from all 24 teams competing in the Sevens World Series gathered with the media on Wednesday, alongside the skippers of the Melrose Claymores competition.

Argentina's men and New Zealand's women will look to retain their crowns after winning the first edition held at the new Kai Tak Stadium last year.

Argentina captain Santiago Alvarez expressed his excitement about returning to Hong Kong for the golden anniversary.

"Last year we won our first tournament here and we were really happy, but now we are trying to think about what is coming," he said.

"We know this is a new tournament with new countries and new teams. We [also] have new players. We are looking forward to the weekend and always knowing what happened last year, but trying to think of what's coming."

The New Zealand women's team has been dominant since the women's competition was introduced in 2023, winning all three editions.

Now they are chasing a fourth consecutive title – a clean sweep.

All Blacks captain Risaleaana Pouri-Lane said the team features a new group of players who love playing in Hong Kong.

She said they intend to savour every moment of this weekend's tournament.

"For us, we definitely want to win, not going to shy away from that but we got to go game by game," she said.

"It's the championship round. Anything can happen so we just got to focus on what we can from day one."

Meanwhile, Hong Kong, China's men's and women's squads are also ready to defend their Melrose Claymore titles – a relatively new competition exclusive to the Hong Kong stop of the top-tier Sevens series.

The men's team will face familiar opponents China and Japan, two potential rivals at September's Asian Games in Nagoya.

The women's squad will take on Thailand and Denmark, the first non-regional competitor in this competition.

James Christie, co-captain of the SAR men's team, said the side knows their opponents well.

If they stick to their game plan and focus on their strengths, he said the results will follow.

"Of course being number one always has its pressure. The teams are always gunning for you, but we will take that pressure, get the fans involved as well and hopefully we will come out on top."

Chloe Chan, captain of the SAR women's team, said the squad is in a really good place, having trained with Denmark and Canada at home last week.

She believes the team is prepared and ready to go, particularly against the new challenge posed by Denmark.

"I think it is actually quite exciting. We have a new opposition and they came and trained with us last week as well," she said.

"They are definitely a physical side and they got good skills as well, but I think we will use our game knowledge and speed to hopefully beat them."

The competition runs from April 17 to 19 at Kai Tak Stadium.


Edited by Tony Sabine