Ex-skipper Mark Wright out to make late charge into Sevens squad
Forward hopes to impress coach in Zimbabwe to secure his Hong Kong jersey
Former captain Mark Wright will return to action in Hong Kong colours this weekend at the Harare International Sevens in Zimbabwe, which will be used as a final selection trial for the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens later this month.
Hong Kong left on Tuesday night with Wright being the only player Gareth Baber, new head coach at Hong Kong Sports Institute, has not seen in action.
Wright, a bustling forward, last played for Hong Kong at the 2010 Asian Games, where he led the team to a silver medal.
I know the majority of the make-up of the squad, but with a couple of injury doubts I need to have a final look
"Mark is definitely in the frame for selection for the Hong Kong Sevens," said Baber.
"This tournament is very important for me to make up my mind. I have got to a stage where I know the majority of the makeup of the squad, but with a couple of injury doubts I need to have a final look."
Jamie Hood will captain the 14-strong squad, which includes Max Woodward, Rowan Varty, Salom Yiu Kam-shing, Alex McQueen, Josh Peters, Wright, Kwok Ka-chun, Tom McQueen, Nick Hewson, Raef Morrison, Tsang Hing-hung, Chris Maize and Ben Rimene.
Wright, who also captained Hong Kong to Shield victory at the 2010 Hong Kong Sevens, has been out of contention for the past three years due to a combination of injury and unavailability. He was contracted with Japan Top League team Tokyo Shokki Shuttles, which prevented him from turning up for Hong Kong.