A question of entertainment versus playing to your strengths
Mark Solomon turns 26 today. Happy birthday to the Hong Kong winger whose name reminds one of that biblical figure who had a reputation as a wise king.
If Hong Kong rugby has the wisdom of Solomon, they would do well to get his namesake and the rest of the backline more involved in the remaining Pacific Rim Championship fixtures.
This would be the (birthday) wishes of Solomon and fellow winger Isi Tu'ivai, both of whom were reduced to mere spectators against Japan on Saturday. Undoubtedly, they watched in admiration as their forwards squeezed Japan in to submission and handed out a 33-9 defeat.
The overall tight pattern - of driving through the middle with the help of the backrow - worked superbly and Hong Kong must be congratulated for scoring this significant victory. It has proven that the territory are not in this tournament just to make up the numbers.
Hong Kong are a credible force on the field. But to keep the credibility among the spectators - who paid $100 to watch the match - the territory will need to put on a more entertaining show if they want them to keep coming back.
The perennial question arises: does a team play to its strengths or should they play to entertain? Any fan of English rugby will have dwelled long and hard on this subject.
In the new professional climate, it pays to put on an entertaining show.
The Super 12s action from the weekend was a reminder that entertainment does matters. Natal scored seven tries in defeating Queensland 43-25. Auckland, meanwhile, crossed the line on eight occasions against Northern Transvaal in a 48-11 demolition job.
Rupert Murdoch, who has backed the tri-nation series to the tune of US$550 million over a 10-year period will feel vindicated. There is no question that Southern Hemisphere rugby is the best investment for quality and entertainment.
In our own small way, we should be as entertaining even if the games are not watched by a television audience. Hong Kong have so far done well to score seven tries in their two games against Japan. Saturday's result was desired, but the final product was well short of entertainment.
I can hear voices being raised: 'What matters is winning.' True enough. But the current Hong Kong team has the potential to play running rugby and win at the same time.
Canada and the United States, the remaining two teams in the Pacific Rim Championship, will certainly be different opponents than Japan. Hong Kong are unlikely to dominate as easily in the forwards against the North Americans.
While the 'dynamic' rolling maul and the driving play of the Hong Kong backrow can be a platform for launching an attack, it would be better if the ball is shipped wide to the backs once space is created.
The territory have a capable back division. Whether they have the creativity to conjure up space, is a question that went unanswered against Japan.
Saturday's game plan worked because our forwards were more committed and heavier. Against the physically more-imposing North Americans, it would be wise to change the point of attack.
Hong Kong has a new fly-half in the making - Ben Robert Schats came kicking in to this world last Thursday. Congratulations to long-suffering mum Robyn and dad Pieter.
