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Serevi inspires new generation

Fiji began their campaign to win back the Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens by winning the hearts and minds of hundreds of new and young fans at the Hong Kong Football Club yesterday.

Overawed children from as young as four were happily surprised when Fijian legend Waisale Serevi and a number of his team, including Serevi's heir, William Ryder, turned up at Sports Road for the Football Club's season-ending presentation for their mini-rugby section.

The fortunate and outstanding few got their trophies and certificates from the famous Fijians, but Serevi had consoling words for those left empty-handed: 'For those of you, who don't get awards, just remember that in rugby we are all winners, because rugby is a team sport.'

Inspirational words which will surely remain in the minds of the 400-strong mini-rugby section, all of whom will never forget the day they shook hands or stood for photographs with the man who is widely regarded as the greatest sevens player of all time.

'Last year we had Martin Johnson [England's World Cup-winning captain] and he was very good, but Serevi is something special,' said Rob Buckley, chairman of Football Club's mini-rugby section.

'Fiji will definitely be the crowd's second favourite team after Hong Kong next weekend.'

Serevi said: 'The secret of life is to enjoy what you do. Not to just do what you do. I'm here today not for the parents or the sponsors, but to support you kids.

'I wish you all the best and good luck in your careers. Just remember, nothing is impossible.' At 38, he is still enjoying his rugby so much he will make his 16th appearance in Hong Kong since making his debut in 1989.

'I might retire this year,' joked Serevi. Despite having handed over the captaincy to giant forward Semisi Naevo - who towered over the gathering yesterday - Serevi continues to call the shots as player-coach.

'We are just thinking of the 30 points on offer in Hong Kong. Our aim is to win again here and retain the IRB Sevens title which we won last year. This is a very important tournament, not only because it offers the most points, but also because winning Hong Kong is very important for the people back home in Fiji,' Serevi said. Fiji have not won the Hong Kong Sevens since 1999 but captured the World Cup here in 2005

Pointing to his protege Ryder, Serevi said he would be the player to watch when the Sevens gets under way on Friday. ' 'You will see a lot of him this weekend. He will score six tries in one game,' promised Serevi.

And cheering him and the rest of his team will be a bunch of new fans, who will remember the day when they rubbed shoulders with a legend.

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