Gilchrist turns back clock to face Koreans
BRIAN Gilchrist is fully aware what he will be up against when he plays for the Hong Kong Developing Players XV against South Korea at Happy Valley on Thursday night.
The 30-year-old hooker, who is in the national squad for the first Test on Sunday, will play in the territory's number two team simply because coach George Simpkin wants to have a look at how he goes.
This will be good news for Gilchrist and his ambitions of supplanting Football Club teammate Alan Clark from future hooking duties in the Hong Kong team.
Keenly looking forward to the challenge, Gilchrist is not overawed by the situation as he knows what to expect when one comes up against a Korean brand of rugby.
'I have played against them before. They are a very drilled outfit and very disciplined. They are extremely fit,' summed up Gilchrist whose taste of Korean rugby was experienced while on tour with Cambridge University back in 1986.
The rest of Hong Kong rugby's newcomers who will feature in the Developing Players XV, will be sorry to hear that nothing much has changed in Korean rugby since Gilchrist landed there.
The Koreans arrive today for the three-game tour which includes two internationals.
Gilchrist will be among a couple of players pushing to stake a claim in the Test side. 'It will be difficult trying to win a place against Alan [Clark]. But if I could, I would be delighted,' said Gilchrist who also plays second fiddle to Clark in the Club team.
Hong Kong are fortunate to have two hookers of equal capabilities around. If Valley's Andy Fields was also fit and motivated to play, the territory could enjoy the luxury of having depth in this position, something sadly missing in most other positions in the pack.
'Rugby did not draw me to Hong Kong. But now I'm here, I'm really enjoying playing and looking forward to every opportunity I get,' said Gilchrist, a lawyer by profession.
Born in Zimbabwe, Gilchrist played most of his school rugby there before leaving for UK to continue his education. A Cambridge Blue (1986/87), he also played one season for Bath (1987) before joining London Scottish.
He now hopes he can add Hong Kong to this list.
A triathlon buff, he came to Hong Kong in January 1995, thus qualifying to play against the Koreans. Only players who have lived in the territory for more than a year will be eligible for Tests.
Simpkin, wanting to assess Gilchrist under match conditions, will be watching closely on Thursday night, especially with an eye on the Pan Pacific Series.
'I thought I had played all my serious rugby before coming here. But with all that is happening around here, I might have to review my goals again,' Gilchrist said.
