Red hot rugby, a la Chinese, will be on show for the first time this weekend at the 22nd Hong Kong Sevens, which is backed by Credit Suisse First Boston - the last-minute sponsor of the event.
China, making their debut, will provide the novelty in a year which has a make-or-break feel to it.
The Home Unions have shunned the event. None of the big-name players from the Southern Hemisphere has turned up either. No wonder a perceived feeling of gloom and doom.
Even the legendary David Campese, turning up for Australia for the 11th time at this tournament, feels the lack of 'atmosphere'.
'The Home Unions will be missed. Probably the reason they did not come this time is because they never bloody win at all,' joked Campese, one of the few stars on show this weekend.
He has his reasons for turning up. At the twilight of an illustrious career, Campese is looking for one last hurrah - winning a gold medal for Australia at the Commonwealth Games in September in Kuala Lumpur.