Top seeds impress in opening pool matches - Five remain unbeaten in Series qualifier - Teams mark 'Keep Rugby Clean Day' in Hong Kong - Canada's women warm up in style for Guangzhou
The top sides all cruised through their opening matches in the main draw on day one of the Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, round 7 of the HSBC Sevens World Series.
Meanwhile, in the World Series qualifier hosts Hong Kong, Japan, Italy, Russia and Zimbabwe all went unbeaten on day one in Hong Kong, but only one of the 12 teams will win a place as a core side on next season's HSBC Sevens World Series. The final pool games and the quarter finals will be played on Saturday, with the all-important semis and final to be played on Sunday evening, before the climax of the main Cup competition.
Players mark Keep Rugby Clean Day
Friday in Hong Kong was also 'Keep Rugby Clean Day' with all 28 teams wearing T-shirts and showing their support for the IRB's ongoing education campaign around drug-free rugby and the dangers of doping.
South Africa Sevens star, Cecil Afrika, said: "I am extremely proud to be one of the IRB's anti-doping ambassadors, and I can say with confidence that all the players here in Hong Kong have worn their 'Keep Rugby Clean' T-Shirts with pride. Rugby is one of the leading sports in terms of its anti-doping programme and education and we all feel very strongly about this. It is important that we play on a level playing field and ensure the integrity of our game."
Canada's women warm up in style for Guangzhou
A week before round four of the IRB Women's Sevens World Series in Guangzhou, China, Canada scored a confidence-boosting win in Hong Kong's women's invitational tournament. Jen Kish led from the front as the Canadians beat France in the final.