The excitement builds in Hong Kong as the 24 teams gear up for 'the most competitive ever' event on the World Series.
In 2012 the Hong Kong showpiece is not only the sixth round of the HSBC Sevens World Series, it is also doubling as a 'core team' qualifying event for the 2012/13 World Series.
While the current 12 'core teams' - Argentina, Australia, England, Fiji, France, Kenya, New Zealand, Samoa, Scotland, South Africa, USA and Wales - compete in pools A, B and C for the famous Hong Kong title, 12 other nations will start in Pools D, E and F and battle it out for three additional core team berths to compete on each round of next year's Series.
"It is a massive opportunity for us and for all the teams in this competition, which is going to be hugely competitive," said Canada coach, Geraint John, at the official tournament press conference.
"We lost our core team status a few years ago and since then we have strived to try and become one again. We now know what we have to do and hopefully we can finish in the top three this weekend, but we'll certainly be taking it one game at a time."
HONG KONG DUAL COMPETITION - FORMAT EXPLAINED >>
The change in format in Hong Kong also makes the competition between the current 12 core teams more intense than ever. With no 'easy' match-ups every game is a potential knock-out tie.
"Quite simply, it is the toughest, most competitive ever Hong Kong tournament," said England coach, Ben Ryan. "But it is still Hong Kong, still a special place, still six games over three days. It is all systems go."
"It is going to be extremely tough here and it may mean that some of my younger players get less game time," admitted Gordon Tietjens, coach of the current Series leaders, New Zealand.
"People ask how we're going to approach the quarter finals, semi finals and finals on Sunday, but quite honestly all our thoughts are on that first match against the USA on Friday night. They are quite capable of going out and playing the game of their lives and, with Wales and South Africa after that, you have to be on your game for the entire time."
Pool Profiles - Cup competition (current core teams)
Pool A - SAM, ENG, ARG, KEN
Pool B - NZL, RSA, WAL, USA
Pool C - FJI, AUS, FRA, SCO
Pool Profiles - Core team qualifier
Pool D - TON, URU, HKG, CHN
Pool E - CAN, ESP, ZIM, PHI
Pool F - POR, RUS, JPN, GUY
The Hong Kong event is set to go out to its largest ever televion audience, 18 international broadcasters airing pictures in 150 countries, generating 235 hours of live match coverage, a figure set to at least double with delayed live, repeats and highlights.
