Stingrays' So endures once-in-a-lifetime wait to see favourite players

Anticipating the big game has been like a month of Sundays. This October had five Fridays, five Saturdays and five Sundays, all in one month. It happens once in 823 years. According to feng shui, this is considered good luck.

For eight-year-old Christopher So (pictured), the anticipation of his favourite team coming to Hong Kong has been like waiting for a month of Sundays.

'The All Blacks are always extremely good at rugby skills. And I like the haka,' he said. 'I don't have a favourite. I like the whole team because the players have excellent teamwork, defence, and speed.'

For the primary four pupil at Kingston International School in Kowloon, the Bledisloe Cup is an inspiration. 'I want to play on the big field and to represent Hong Kong in international tournaments. Watching the game today reminds me of their skills, their tricks, and team work.'

Through mini rugby, Christopher's whole family has become involved in the game and become part of the Sai Kung Stingrays family. His father, Steven, is now a qualified coach, while his mother, Michelle, helps out selling the rugby kit. Big sister Stephanie is also a Stingrays player with the U16 colts team.

Michelle said of her son: 'He's so into rugby he's been telling me that he wants to get a PhD in rugby. As a shy fellow, rugby breathes spirit in his life. It's only on the field that he brings out his gut instincts and possibly his real self.'