Hong Kong is determined to host the climax to the new World Sevens Grand Prix series. Nothing more - and certainly it won't be asking for anything less.
Peter Duncan, chairman of the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union, yesterday lashed out at the International Rugby Board for not conceding to a request by the Hong Kong Sevens, which wants to host the 'Grand Final' when the Grand Prix series gets underway later this year.
Disappointed with the IRB's lukewarm response to a request made earlier in the week, the HKRFU chief came out and strongly pressed an offer by the Hong Kong Sevens, which will celebrate its 25th anniversary next year.
'If we are the jewel in the crown, as the IRB says we are, then the Hong Kong Sevens has got to keep on sparkling. The only way for this is for us to host the last tournament in the Grand Prix series,' said Duncan, speaking in front of local and international media during the mid-afternoon break.
'We are very disappointed with the IRB, who have not consulted us in the formation of this new circuit. We are generally supportive of the concept, but as the Hong Kong Sevens is the most commercially viable sevens tournament in the world, and one which draws the largest crowds, it should be awarded the finale,' added Duncan.
IRB chief executive Stephen Baines, who was a guest of the HKRFU this weekend, revealed on Saturday that Hong Kong would be given some special allowances. But Baines said it was highly unlikely that Hong Kong would be the final stop.