Just the job - employer lines up on Varty’s side

Hong Kong captain Rowan Varty counts himself lucky he has understanding bosses who might look sympathetically on his plea to play more rugby next year.

Business law firm Tanner de Witt gives Varty plenty of leeway when it comes to representing Hong Kong at the international level in sevens and 15s. It would have to bend even more if Hong Kong were to be a core team.

Varty, 24, put his career as a lawyer on hold for a season-and-a-half, but is juggling both since last September, helped by a benevolent attitude from his rugby-loving employers.

'They have been extremely accommodating with my rugby and, in fact, my boss plays for the Valley women's team,' he said. 'It is pretty hard balancing a professional work career and what is essentially a professional level of rugby commitment, but luckily for me Tanner de Witt lets me achieve this.'

But what happens if Hong Kong win one of three berths to become a core team next year, requiring them to play in all nine (or 10 if it is expanded) world series legs next season?

'It would be the biggest achievement in my career if we are able to qualify,' says Varty. 'We have always felt we have a strong team, a professional coaching staff, and strong support from the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union to compete at the highest level. We just haven't had the competition to get used to it all.'