Union lacks backbone to stand by its own policies
One reason why Hong Kong took part at last month's Ballymore Tens was to prepare for the Carlsberg International Tens on March 18-19 at the Football Club.
Another reason was to give the territory's top players the opportunity to play at a high level.
So it was a surprise to find that after being invited to field a 'national' side in the Carlsberg Tens, the HKRFU had opted out.
This was due to the organisers Football Club having a change of heart and saying that none of the Club men would be available - they wanted to field their strongest side possible.
The Union have bowed to the dictates of Football Club.
What a spineless decision. It totally goes against the Union's emphasis on Tens rugby early in the season.
How can a club, even one as powerful as Football Club, hold so much sway over the policies of the Union? Shouldn't all clubs be working towards the goal of promoting Hong Kong rugby? The Union has said before that one way of promoting the game is to maintain a high profile internationally.
The Carlsberg Tens offered a great opportunity.
If Hong Kong had been able to put forward their best side, they could have progressed a long way in the competition. After reaching the semi-finals at the Ballymore Tens, the prospects were looking good.
True, the Hong Kong squad would not have been the same as that which played in Ballymore as a number of players will be picked for the sevens team (in contention are Vaughan Going, Isi Tu'ivai, Will Wild, Hamish Bowden, Stephen Kidd), but the nucleus would have remained.
Those like Football Club's Chris Gordon and Kowloon's Riaz Fredericks and Nigel Dacre would have joined the rest from DeA and Aberdeen.
And other players from Club and Kowloon (also invited to field a separate team in the Tens) who did not make it to Brisbane but are in the national squad could have turned the Hong Kong team into genuine contenders.
Paul Dingley was one such player.
His move last week from Club to DeA apparently stems from unhappiness over Club's selfish motives.
Football Club were worried that if they gave up their best men for the Hong Kong team, they would not be able to field a competitive team.
But what's important - Club or Union?.
This parochial move by Football Club also does not say much for the future of the Carlsberg Tens. The only way this tournament can progress is to turn it from a competition for hodge-podge teams to a gathering of sides with a sense of identity.
However enjoyable the Tens is, it lacks substance.
It is popular because of the timing of the event, traditionally coming a few days before the Hong Kong Sevens.
Only in recent years has the tournament produced some top quality rugby, thanks to sides from the Southern Hemisphere who always play seriously.
There may also be the smattering of big names, but do you think he is out there giving it his all? That will only happen if the player can relate to his team and take pride in the jersey he is wearing.
It does not have to be a national jersey - Football Club should look at targeting the top clubs and provinces.
The Ballymore Tens is a good example - 16 top-flight teams: a mix of national teams and provincial and state sides from Australia and New Zealand.
It is a pity that organisers will not take the next step to making the Carlsberg Tens a genuine competition. If one remembers, the Hong Kong Sevens began very much like the Tens. But see where that tournament has gone.
Former Scotland captain Gavin Hastings and the legendary Irish forward Willie-John McBride will be guest speakers at 'the Hong Kong Rugby Ball' on March 17 at the Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel. BBC rugby commentator Ian Robertson will host the black-tie gala. Tickets are priced at $997.
