Dingley calls time on an illustrious playing career
Hong Kong's campaign to qualify for the 2007 Rugby World Cup will be missing Paul Dingley. The inspirational forward has decided to call it a day from all aspects of the game - and hang up his boots permanently.
'This is it. I have retired from everything, even local club rugby,' said Dingley yesterday.
'Last weekend's Singapore Sevens will go down as the last time I played for Hong Kong. I've had a good run but it is time to step aside and move on.'
Dingley, 35, has captained the sevens squad for the past few seasons but stepped down from the XVs job a couple of seasons ago even though he continued to play a vital role as number eight.
He will continue to be involved with the national set-up as a forwards coach in XVs.
After a decade of honest service for Hong Kong, his departure will leave a huge hole in the back row - and has left head coach Ivan Torpey with a big headache - as the SAR prepare to take on Asian giants Japan and South Korea in the preliminary stages of the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
'Whoever who comes in will have huge shoes to fill. Paul has been a driving force for us. His commitment on the field has always been 100 per cent, and as if it was his first game for Hong Kong. We will miss him badly,' Torpey said, grappling with the prospect of life after Dingley.
The Hong Kong squad will leave on Friday for a weekend training camp in Kunming where they will also play against the Chinese national team.
Hong Kong face Japan in Tokyo on May 8 and then host Korea on May 2 at the Hong Kong Football Club.
'Unfortunately Paul's absence has created a few problems as the only specialist number eight we have at the moment, Justin Gregory, has still not recovered from a wrist injury. We will have to look closely at the options we have,' said Torpey.
Among the players in the running for this key position in the pack are Kris Marin, Bryan O'Hara and Kwok Ka-chun - all of them flankers.
Gregory broke his wrist during the Darwin Sevens in January. He is in plaster and, according to Torpey, is out of contention for the games against Japan and Korea.
While sad that Dingley has decided to proceed with his decision to retire from all rugby, Torpey is delighted that he will still be able to draw upon his experience as a forwards' coach.
'Although I will not play, I will still be involved with the senior side as coach of the forwards. I will still be involved to a certain extent. But I know I will have a lot of free time on my hands now,' added Dingley.
Dingley made his XV-a-side debut for Hong Kong in 1996, against Fiji, and has won more than 50 caps. He also played in every Hong Kong Sevens since 1998, and also represented the SAR at the 2001 and 2005 World Cup Sevens.
'For the last nine years this has been a major part of my life. It will be difficult to change the mindset. I will miss it,' added Dingley.
