Australia Sevens star Maddison Levi believes the new-look Hong Kong Sevens will bring the best out of the sides as it heads to the new Kai Tak Sports Park.
The stadium opened at the start of the match at a cost of HK$30 billion ($6.122 billion AUD), with the Sevens event set to be the first major event at the ground.
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It means the Sevens Series moves from the Hong Kong Stadium and the famous ‘South Stand’, renowned as one of the best atmospheres in World Rugby.
With over 100,000 tickets sold for the first three days, Levi is confident the magic will flow into the new venue.
“I think it's one of the most renowned Series legs and it definitely lives up to its name, especially that South Stand. I think playing in a new stadium will be a bit interesting. But the ticket sales have already been insane,” Levi told Rugby.com.au.
“120,000 tickets have already been sold, and we live off adrenaline, the drive and the crowd, and I think Hong Kong definitely brings that, and everyone gets around it.
“I think what they've done with this new stadium is pretty awesome, and to the conditions, Hong Kong can get a bit wet through the thunderstorm night, so having that roof on top will also help just to create fast, dry footy. So I'm excited to play there.”
For rookie Sid Harvey, it’ll be his first experience of Hong Kong's magic.
He has heard stories of the 2022 success from fellow teammates Maurice Longbottom and Henry Paterson.
“‘Baz’ (coach Liam Barry) has really ramped it up and just reminding us that this is one of the oldest tournaments and Hong Kong was the big first World Series event and that’s not lost on any of us,” Harvey notes.
“I grew up watching every single Sevens game I could, and Hong Kong just always seemed to have this buzz around it. The South Stand always looked pretty, pretty rowdy.
“There's some crazy amount of tickets being sold already so it's a pretty special tournament and I think the boys will definitely rise to it, pretty similar to a home tournament.
“It's one that everyone wants to win. We've won it before in 2022, and we're hoping to step up and go close.”
The Women’s team will kick off the event on March 28 with games against Spain (1:53 pm AEDT) and Canada (4:57 pm) before the Men conclude day one as they take on New Zealand (8:30 pm) and South Africa (11:39 pm)
