How Humble Hong Kong Sevens Shaped World Rugby

42 Friday S p o r t s Friday, September 13, 2019 ‘A bit of a jolly’: How humble Hong Kong Sevens shaped world rugby HONG KONG: As Japan gears up to host Asia’s Kong and its location. This is probably the most first Rugby World Cup, they might give a nod of international city in Asia. And when the fans thanks in the direction of continental neighbours came in, this was all pretty good. “You think of Hong Kong for helping to make it all possible. the timing, 1976. Hong Kong was developing as The Hong Kong Sevens has grown from an a financial centre. Cathay Pacific was beginning end-of-season bash to a globally acclaimed fes- to expand its wings. So there’s a lot of things to- tival of rugby, inspiring the World Cup Sevens gether that really made it.” and World Sevens Series — and tens of thou- sands of fans, who don outrageous fancy dress ‘THAT’S NOT THE GAME’ and party till they drop in the stands. The seed for the Hong Kong Sevens was Its 43-year history has been liberally sprin- sown when A.D.C. “Tokkie” Smith, then chair- kled with legends such as Jonah Lomu, David man of the Hong Kong RFU, attended the Scot- Campese, Waisale Serevi and Zinzan Brooke. tish Rugby Union centenary sevens at The city holds the accolade of being the only Murrayfield in 1973. By 1975 he had plans for an two-time hosts of the Sevens World Cup (1997 international 15-a-side tournament, but they and 2005), reward for Hong Kong’s pivotal role were met with resistance from the governing in developing the oval-ball game across the body of the then strictly amateur sport. world’s most populous continent. The growth of “They were not helpful at all,” says Steven- sevens resulted in rugby’s return to the Olympics son. “So the way around it was an invitational in 2016 after a 92-year absence. sevens. I don’t think any of us expected it to take off. Well, it was absolutely enormous.” ‘AN INNOVATIVE IDEA’ The success attracted the world’s best play- None of that was in the wildest dreams of a ers and eventually national teams, or at least group of club enthusiasts when they devised the some of them. “The most supportive people event, according to former Hong Kong Rugby were definitely the southern hemisphere — Aus- Football Union president Brian Stevenson, who tralia and New Zealand,” says Stevenson. “They has been involved from the start and was treas- came to the party quite soon. The (Pacific) is- urer for the inaugural staging in 1976. lands — Tonga, Samoa, Fiji — were basically File photo shows Canada’s Men’s Sevens Team ﬁnished the 2018 Hong Kong leg of the HSBC World Series in “There had never been a thought about a here from the word go. “But the countries up hong kong as runners up. kind of international sevens. I thought it was a north, well, that was a different experience. “I re- very innovative idea,” says Stevenson, HKRFU member visiting the Scots, and them saying, ‘Aye the northern hemisphere. I thought it actually sevens in April every year with plans to expand president from 2001 to 2016, at the Hong Kong Brian, but that’s not the game, the game is fif- improved their game,” says Stevenson. to a new, bigger stadium in 2023. Jockey Club in Happy Valley, within kicking dis- teens’. “‘OK Sir,’ I’d say. And I’d go back to little Eventually the north came to the party. “It started as a bit of a jolly,” admits Steven- tance of where it all began. Hong Kong.” “We had sides from United Kingdom like the son. “But if you go back to the genesis of the Stevenson describes how a capacity 3,000 Barbarians, The Penguins, the Scottish Border- whole thing, part of it was to develop rugby in crowd packed Hong Kong Football Club to see PROFESSIONAL EDGE ers,” said Stevenson. “They key was they came Asia. “You always had a New Zealand against Sri New Zealand’s Cantabrians win against sides Stevenson believes the willingness of south- with the best players like (Scotland’s) Hastings Lanka and a 50-0 wipeout or something. But from Indonesia, South Korea, Australia, Tonga, ern hemisphere players to embrace sevens gave brothers. “They were hugely supportive and when you spoke to the Sri Lankans they were Japan, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Fiji. them an edge when the game went professional they told their unions, ‘Come on, support these over the moon. “Nobody would have expected it to take off in the 1990s. guys and go international’. That’s how it devel- “They had played against Jonah Lomu. They as it has. We’ve been most fortunate,” says the “The big players, the forwards, the Zinzan oped.” Hong Kong now enjoys a three-day had had that experience. That was what it was Scot. “I always felt it was the nature of Hong Brookes, had become much more mobile than in 40,000 sellout of colour, costume and top-class all about.” — AFP competitive spirit.” “He would be in the top five England’s backline caught fire in a record Captain, inspiration: percent of competitive players,” Jones said dur- eight-try 57-17 Twickenham victory. ing England’s warm-up campaign. Ford and Farrell, friends and rivals since they “I have seen players like him - (former Aus- were young boys playing rugby league in Farrell key to tralia scrumhalf) George Gregan was one - they Wigan, provided an exhilarating set of first- train to get the best out of themselves and they phase options. With outside centre Manu Tu- England’s hopes are demanding of the people around them. ilagi running lines to draw in defenders, Farrell’s “They don’t accept anything but the best of trademark, delayed cutback pass brought Eng- LONDON: Southern hemisphere rugby fans themselves and the best of the people around land’s dangerous back three into space in an used to delight in dismissing Jonny Wilkinson’s them.” Like Wilkinson, Farrell leads by example approach that cut Ireland’s defence to shreds. flyhalf credentials but there was not a coach in with his defence - though he has sailed close to Whether Jones sticks with that system or world rugby who would not have picked him in the wind in recent seasons with some of his hits goes back to Farrell at flyhalf might be a game- his pomp and Owen Farrell is a man cast from where the wrapping of arms came as something by-game decision in Japan but, whatever num- the same mould. Other halfbacks may have a of an afterthought. That approach galvanises ber is on his back, Farrell is guaranteed to be sharper pass, a better step, a yard more pace, team mates and fans, though, and is one of the crucial to unlocking the tightest defences. but when it comes to the player you want reasons why Jones made him captain - well Owen Farrell “He is the leader of this England team now pulling the strings in the heat of battle or lining aware that he was pretty much captain in all but and in my mind absolutely the key man if they up an injury-time penalty to win a test, Farrell name while Dylan Hartley had the armband. find a plan B at times in Japan. are to win the World Cup,” said Clive Wood- is surely peerless. It was not all plain sailing on the captaincy ward, who added that Farrell’s low-key, lead by The son of former dual-code international front either, as Farrell seemed unable to bring ENGLAND’S OPTIONS example approach reminded him of England’s Andy, it is no surprise that Farrell junior has a any influence to bear as England found them- It certainly looks as if they will arrive with only World Cup-winning captain, Martin John- razor-sharp rugby brain. He lives and breathes selves shipping points against Wales and Scot- options up their sleeve. For most of the last year son. If England triumph in Japan, Farrell would the sport and has the winning mentality and ice- land in this year’s Six Nations. He, and Jones, Farrell has played at flyhalf, feeding a variety of be the first back to lift the Webb Ellis Cup since cool nerves to go with it. Like every coach and insist they have learned from the experience centre partnerships, but against Ireland last Australia’s Nick Farr-Jones in 1991 and that team mate who has worked with Farrell, Eddie and, with memories of the home upsets by month Jones reverted to his old “twin distribu- would give him another one-up on his dad, who Jones, when recently asked to sum up what he Wales and Australia that ended their 2015 tour- tor” system of playing him at 12 with George was on the losing side in the 2007 final against brings to the party, highlighted his “massive nament so painfully, they are going to need to Ford at flyhalf. The result was spectacular as South Africa. — Reuters.

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