All Blacks legend Dan Carter has praised the Hong Kong Sevens as the event celebrates its 50th anniversary this weekend, describing it as the premier tournament in rugby sevens. The former fly-half, attending as an HSBC brand ambassador, said the tournament has been instrumental in launching the careers of New Zealand greats such as Jonah Lomu and Christian Cullen.
Carter, who played Test matches in Hong Kong during his career, noted the unique atmosphere of the city. "Your senses just explode from the sights, the smells, the lights," he said, adding that the local support for rugby makes the event special. Hong Kong's status as a global hub contributes to the party atmosphere that surrounds the tournament.
The profile of sevens rugby has grown significantly since its inclusion in the Olympics, with stars like France's Antoine Dupont putting their 15s careers on hold to compete for gold. Carter believes the simplicity of the seven-a-side format makes it easy for newcomers to understand and enjoy, helping to expand the sport's reach to non-rugby nations.
This year, HSBC has introduced a new platform called 'Let's SVNS This City', which will be featured across all legs of the series, celebrating the unique qualities of each host city and its fans.
