Hong Kong seek regional crown before tilt at Games glory

Hong Kong leave on Thursday for the second leg of the Asian Sevens Series in Kuala Lumpur, intent on winning back the regional crown as well as putting in place the final pieces of a selection puzzle before the all-important Asian Games in Incheon later this month.

"If we win in Malaysia this weekend, we will be crowned Asian champions but we also have one eye on the Asian Games. It is also about finalising our squad for Incheon," said head coach Gareth Baber.

Former captain Mark Wright and Keith Robertson, who are in the frame for the Asian Games, are not part of the 12-strong team led by Jamie Hood, who are aiming to win back the Asian title they held in 2012.

Wright is playing for Toyota Shokki Shuttles and the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union is talking to the Japan Top League club about releasing him for national duty. Robertson had a knee operation in April and is in a race to get match fit.

Baber will also need to take a close look at forwards Kwok Ka-chung and Tsang Hing-hung, who return to action after recovering from shoulder injuries last season. The duo replace Nick Hewson and Tomasi Lawa, who are not eligible for the Asian Games, but Baber has retained the services of another ineligible player - Lee Jones - this weekend.

Hong Kong won the first leg of the series at Hong Kong Football Club a fortnight ago, defeating South Korea 40-0 in the final. That result will see Hong Kong seeded No 1 in Kuala Lumpur and avoid Asian rivals Japan and Korea until the Cup final.

"We come up against the Philippines and Thailand in our preliminary group and have to get past them before we start thinking about Japan or Korea. We won well in Hong Kong and now the target is on our backs. It will be good to win again to maintain momentum and also be crowned Asian champions," Baber said.