The World Rugby Sevens have revealed the Hong Kong 7s Dream Team after the conclusion of the three-day tournament.
The Team of the tournament has three Australian players after they helped the Series defending Champions claim the Hong Kong 7s title. Maurice Longbottom has been named in the team alongside teammates, Josh Turner and Henry Hutchison.
Australia clinched a thrilling final 20-17 to claim the Hong Kong Sevens crown and ended Fiji’s dominance that had seen them take the last five titles in Hong Kong.
A pulsating end-to-end final played in an electrifying atmosphere was settled in the final minute when Nathan Lawson scored in the corner to cue wild celebrations from the Australia contingent.
Finalists Fiji have two of their players included in the Dream Team. They include Waisea Nacuqu and Viwa Naduvalo. Nacuqu scored in the final as the side lost to Australia.
Two remaining two slots are held by Impact Players of the tournament Van Apelu Maliko (Samoa) and Aaron Grandidier (France). The two tied on 75 points on the Impact Player of Tournament table.
The Series’ next stop is Dubai where the women’s Series will commence, as part of a combined event with the men on 2-3 December 2022, before both men’s and women’s teams move on to Cape Town on 9-11 December.
The women’s pools for Dubai see the all-conquering reigning World, Commonwealth and Series champions Australia in Pool A alongside the USA, Canada and China. In Pool B reigning Olympic champions New Zealand will face France, Great Britain and Brazil. Pool C sees Olympic bronze medallists Fiji together with Ireland, Spain and newly promoted Japan.
The men’s draw sees Pool A with Australia, South Africa, Great Britain and Kenya. Pool B is Fiji, Argentina, New Zealand and Uruguay. Pool C includes France, Ireland, Spain and Uganda. Pool D is made up of Samoa, USA, Canada and Japan.
Jam-packed with sevens stars ⭐️
As voted for by you, here is the #HSBCDreamTeam from an exhilarating tournament in Hong Kong!@HSBC_Sport | #HK7s pic.twitter.com/3zYuvhyx36
— World Rugby 7s (@WorldRugby7s) November 7, 2022
