CATHAY PACIFIC/CREDIT SUISSE HONG KONG SEVENS 2006 OFFICIAL DRAW

[Hong Kong, 23 February 2006]: The Official Draw for the Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens 2006 was held this evening, (Feb. 23), at Hong Kong's Exchange Square. The Draw results have offered up another entertaining mix of fierce rugby rivalries and unique match-ups that have made the Hong Kong Sevens famous worldwide as an international festival of rugby. The Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens 2006 will be played at the Hong Kong Stadium from 31 March to 2 April 2006.

Attending tonight's draw were the Chief Secretary for Administration of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, The Hon. Rafael Hui, GBS, JP, and Mr T Brian Stevenson, SBS, President of the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union, as well as Mr. Paul Calello, Chief Executive Officer, Asia Pacific, of co-title sponsor Credit Suisse and Mr. Philip Chen, Chief Executive of co-title sponsor Cathay Pacific Airways. Also present were Hong Kong Rugby Football Union (HKRFU) Chairman John Molloy, HKRFU Executive Director Allan Payne and Hong Kong Sevens Tournament Operations Director Rod Mason.

With England and Fiji having split the four IRB Sevens events played to date (Fiji won in George, South Africa and Wellington, New Zealand while England won in Dubai and Los Angeles), the Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens 2006, the fifth of eight tournaments on this year's Series, is shaping up to be among the most competitive ever.

Currently only 12 points separate table toppers Fiji (72) from second-paced England (60) while South Africa lie in third on 52 points. Only 22 points separate second and fourth placed teams England and New Zealand, well within the Hong Kong Sevens' expanded championship points on offer as the only 24-team tournament in IRB Sevens. The 30 IRB Sevens series points up for grabs to the eventual Cup champion in Hong Kong make this year's Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens a decisive factor in determining the final IRB Sevens 2005/2006 standings. Adding to the excitement is the event's US$150,000 prize purse for the Cup champions, finalist and semi-finalists, the most lucrative on the IRB Sevens series.

In line with IRB Sevens regulations, the procedure for the Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens Official Draw sees the top 12 teams ranked based on their results from the preceding six IRB Sevens tournaments. For the Hong Kong leg, the seeding period runs from last year's London and Paris Sevens through the first four IRB Sevens 2005/2006 events in Dubai, South Africa, New Zealand and the USA. For invited teams not participating in these events, rankings are based upon appearances and results in the IRB Sevens to date, as well as on past Hong Kong Sevens and satellite series results. All seedings and rankings have been ratified by the IRB.

By virtue of its series-leading performance to date which includes two circuit victories in South Africa and Wellington, and Cup final appearances in the two other events played in Dubai and Los Angeles, Fiji has been ranked as the tournament's top overall seed in Pool A. This March, Fiji will look to continue their run in Hong Kong after taking home the Rugby World Cup Sevens champions crown here in 2005. The Fijians will meet second-seeded Pool A team Kenya, the tournament's 12th seed overall. Other teams in Pool A are Russia and Madagascar.

Based upon their successful performance in this year's Series, with a victory in Dubai and Los Angeles, one Cup final appearance in South Africa and a Cup semi final appearance in Wellington, England is the second seed overall at the top of Pool B. The 2004 Hong Kong Sevens champions will be looking for an unprecedented fourth consecutive Hong Kong Sevens Cup win (last year's Rugby World Cup Sevens in Hong Kong was not an IRB Sevens series event). England will face a heavy challenge from pool mates Canada, the tournament's 11th seed, as well as USA and the hosts Hong Kong.

In Pool C, South Africa, Cup semi-finalists or finalists in all four events of the season so far, are matched up with Wales, ranked 10th on the IRB Sevens table; Portugal and China round out the pool.

Pool D sees fourth overall seed New Zealand, who have yet to win on this year's series but reached the Cup Semi Final at their home tournament in Wellington and in Los Angeles, drawn with Scotland, the 9th seed in this year's Hong Kong Sevens. Japan and Singapore complete the pool.

Pool E features fifth tournament seed France, who after winning their first ever IRB Sevens tournament at the end of last season in Paris, are enjoying their best ever season in the IRB Sevens in 2005/2006, including reaching the Cup semi finals in Wellington and Los Angeles. The French will take on five-time Hong Kong Sevens champions Australia, the tournament's 8th seeded team. Korea and Sri Lanka complete the group.

Traditionally one of the toughest pools due to the seeding structure of the Hong Kong Sevens, Pool F features sixth overall tournament seed Argentina in a head-to-head clash with the tournament's 7th seed, sevens rugby veterans Samoa who won the Plate in South Africa and reached the Cup semi finals in Dubai. Italy and Chinese Taipei were also drawn into the final grouping in the third and fourth tiers respectively.

Quotes from this evening's Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens 2006 Official Draw:

John Molloy, Chairman of the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union, commented on the results of tonight's Official Draw, saying: "We're fortunate that all of the teams participating in this year's Hong Kong Sevens are all very talented. For Hong Kong,Ithink we will be happy to be in Pool B alongside England, Canada and the USA. I think that we can beat the USA, although beating Canada and England will be asking a lot. Hopefully we can progress through to the Plate. This is where Hong Kong wants to be now. We would rather make an early exit from the Plate than win the Bowl."

"No matter what the final results are, we are all looking forward to another great event and to celebrating the 30th year of Sevens rugby in Hong Kong at the Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens 2006," added Mr Molloy.

Cathay Pacific Airways Chief Executive Philip Chen said: "As Hong Kong's airline - and 'Airline of the Year 2006', Cathay Pacific are committed to bringing world class events to Hong Kong, further strengthening tourism and investment in the city. This year the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens forms an important part of our 60th anniversary celebrations. By joining forces with the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union and Credit Suisse we hope to ensure the Sevens' continued role in the development of Hong Kong as Asia's World City."

"This is the ninth year that Credit Suisse is a title sponsor for the Sevens, and we're proud to be supporter of this Hong Kong institution. Once again, the official draw reminds us of what a spectacular weekend of rugby we all have to look forward to," said Paul Calello, Chief Executive Officer of Credit Suisse in the Asia Pacific region.

The Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens 2006 marks the 30th year of sevens rugby in Hong Kong and will be played from March 31 to April 2, 2006 at the 40,000-seat Hong Kong Stadium.

For more information on the Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens 2006 please visit the HKRFU's official Sevens website at http://www.hksevens.com

Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens 2006
DRAW SHEET

	The Hong Kong Sevens Training Squad is confident in achieving good results in this year's Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens 2006.
	[From left] Mr. Paul Calello, Chief Executive Officer, Asia Pacific, of co-title sponsor Credit Suisse, Mr. Philip Chen, Chief Executive of co-title sponsor Cathay Pacific Airways, Chief Secretary for Administration of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, The Hon. Rafael Hui, GBS, JP, Mr T Brian Stevenson, SBS, President of the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union and the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union (HKRFU) Chairman John Molloy really enjoy the Official Draw.
	The Hong Kong Sevens Training Squad and all officiating guests of the Draw take a photo together.

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