Our 30 Greatest Hits - On And Off The Pitch

18 January 2024

As we twist our caps back for the mother of all 30th anniversary parties, it’s time to relive three dizzying decades of HK7s sensations. From gasp-worthy tries to unforgettable antics, there’s no shortage of showstoppers to draw from.

Join us on a trip down memory lane as we relive our 30 Greatest Hits from 1994-2024!

1994: Bigger and Better
30 years ago, our iconic Hong Kong stadium opened its gates to a 40,000 strong crowd for the very first time, after completing its makeover from the old Government Stadium. The electric atmosphere proved this venue would become a pretty great home for World Rugby Sevens action!
1994-1996: The Rise of a Legend
A young, unknown Jonah Lomu was on a mission: He tore across our pitch with ferocity, steamrolling even Serevi and leaving crowds in awe. It was the debut of the first global superstar of rugby.
1996: Enter “The Pieman”
We welcomed pitchside prankster Martin Hollis and his sideshow antics. Pass the pie, mate!
1997: Sevens Goes Global
Hong Kong hosted the Rugby World Cup Sevens tournament for the first time ever, putting us on the world 7s map – while local star Chan Fuk-Ping became the first Chinese player to represent HK at a Rugby World Cup Sevens.
2000: 60-second Shocker
Despite featuring all-time greats Raoma, Rush and Muliaina, New Zealand conceded in the first minute of the final. Quick to recover, they eventually racked up 31 points against the defending champion Fiji’s 5, in a final that went down in HK7s history.
2002: Across The Channel
Against the grain, England bagged their first title – ending a long line of Australian, New Zealand, Fijian and Samoan dominance and proving that northern teams were in the game, too.
2003: Same Procedure As Last Year
After lifting the cup in 2002, England went on to win 3 of the next 4 competitions. Arguably the most exciting final came in 2003, when New Zealand led 12-5 at half-time – but England refused to roll over, ultimately taking the win.
2005: Double Trouble
Round two of rugby’s finest fête: Hong Kong made history as the only place in the world to have hosted the Rugby World Cup Sevens tournament twice.
2007: No Minors in the Madhouse
At last, the South Stand sans schoolkids: under 18s were barred from the rowdiest section in the stadium. (Un)surprisingly, the party reached new heights!
2007: Samoa Shocks Fiji
These Pacific rivals served up a finale for the ages. After a 27-0 deficit, Fiji staged a heroic comeback in the second half. Still, Samoa stayed strong – making for one of the most entertaining finals yet.
2009: Pipped At The Post
Facing little opposition all weekend, Fiji suddenly found themselves fighting for the win as South Africa shocked by almost catching up to a 19-0 lead. The margin proved too wide to close, and Fiji took the crown by two points.
2010: Road to Rio
Former President of the International Olympic Committee, Jacques Rogge, attended the HK7s – and he must have been greatly entertained, as Rugby Sevens made its Olympic debut in the 2016 games in Rio!
2010: HK Heroes
Our very own HK China lifts the inaugural Shield. Woohoo!
2012: Legend Serevi Immortalized
The maestro got his dues: Serevi was inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame on the very ground where he made his international name.
2013: The Beach Boys Blow Us Away

13: Wales Face Off Against Fiji
An epic comeback saw Fiji steal victory from finale first-timers, Wales, with Fijian Kolinisau scoring three second-half tries after a 19-0 deficit. This one still takes our breath away.
2014: No Rain on the NZ Parade
The atmosphere was electric as New Zealand beat England in the Cup final and performed their awe-inspiring haka dance – in a torrential downpour.
2015: Kung Fu Magic
The Carlsberg viral rugby/martial arts mashup was an instant internet sensation. Who remembers this one?
2015: The Magnificent Seven
In celebration of the tournament’s 40th anniversary, we launched the Hong Kong Magnificent Seven campaign.
2015: Five-Timers Club
Fiji danced their way into the record books as the first team to win five consecutive HK7s titles.
2015: Pitchside Proposal
The stadium stood still as fan John Alan dropped to one knee and proposed to his girlfriend, Louisa, making this one of the sweetest 7s memories to date.
2015: “Pub Landlord” Pours the Pints
Comedy great Al Murray took on the role of stadium barman, keeping the spirits of fans and players high.
2016: “Now I’ve seen it all”
Picture this: David “The Hoff” Hasslehoff pulled his trunks back on and serenaded the South Stand with the theme from Baywatch. There’s just no party like a South Stand party.
2016: Honouring Hong Kong's Heroine
The Beth Coalter Award was introduced, remembering our tournament pioneer's legacy and the impact she had across the global rugby community.
2018: Taking To The Water
Our 25-metre giant rugby ball floated through Hong Kong’s iconic Victoria Harbour, spreading sevens magic across the whole city.
2019: Say Cheese
Time stood still when rugby royalty Campese, Habana, Ohata and Williams got together – for the first time ever – for one unforgettable group photo.
2019: l'Homme des Cavernes takes the pitch
Who can forget when the ‘Caveman’ Sebastian Chebal thrilled fans with his rendition of ‘500 Miles’ in front of a packed South Stand? Relive the sing-a-long here.
2019: Gwen Stefani Shows Her Colours
Pop queen Gwen Stefani brought down the house with an unforgettable Harbourfront show, her high-energy performance leaving fans buzzing. Another huge name conquered our pitch - but this time from the stage!
2022: Back With A Bang
After a 3-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the HK7s made an emotional return. The spectacular crowd came together louder than ever in a celebration bursting with local pride.
2023: Agnes Tse Makes HERstory

Is your favourite moment missing from our list? Share your HK7s highlight in our Greatest Hits Social Relay. Kicking off on Feb 1st, we’re inviting you to share your personal moments for the chance to win the most epic Hong Kong Sevens prize. Stay tuned on our social channels @hksevens!