2007 Hong Kong Sevens - The Format

The Format

The Hong Kong Sevens is unique among the IRB Sevens events in several ways.

First, because 24 teams compete instead of the 16 that compete in all other series events, the Hong Kong Sevens is divided into six pools instead of the normal four.

Also because of the expanded number of teams, the points system for this tournament is also different. Most significantly, the winning team picks up 30 points instead of the normal 20, and the runner-up earns 24 points instead of the normal 16.

Finally, only three trophies are awarded instead of the four in a normal IRB Sevens event. The Shield is not awarded, leaving the Bowl, Plate, and Cup. Teams are assigned to the knockout tournaments for each trophy as follows:

• Cup — The six pool winners, plus the two top-rated second-place teams
• Plate — The four remaining second-place teams, plus the four top-rated third-place teams
• Bowl — The eight remaining teams

Each of the top four seeds won an IRB Sevens World Series event in the 2006-07 season, with defending Hong Kong champions England out to capture a first Cup title of the season.