Fans invited to pick HK’s all-time best player from the Sevens
As part of its celebrations for the 40th Hong Kong Sevens in March, the HKRFU has launched an online campaign for the public to help choose the top Hong Kong player to have played in the tournament.
As part of its celebrations for the 40th Hong Kong Sevens in March, the HKRFU has launched an online campaign for the public to help choose the top Hong Kong player to have ever played in the tournament.
And yes, we’re talking about every Sevens since the very first one back in 1976.
Click on the link to the Hong Kong Sevens player poll to make your selection.
The seven candidates selected in early polling were:
- Chris Wynne-Potts: Represented Hong Kong across three decades – 1979, 1981-82 and 1990 – and was a member of the Plate-winning Hong Kong squad on his final appearance.
- Ian Strange: A deadly finisher who was an ever-present face in the Hong Kong team from 1986-1993 and also captained the squad. Member of two Plate-winning teams (1990, 1992) and the Bowl-winning side of 1987.
- Chan Fuk-ping: The first local player to represent Hong Kong at the Sevens, as well as the Rugby World Cup Sevens, over nine tournaments from 1996 to 2004. Won Bowls in 1999 and 2001. Also the first Hong Kong player to feature on a postage stamp.
- Paul Dingley: Led Hong Kong superbly on and off the pitch from 1998 to 2005, both as a rangy forward and captain of the squad. Won Bowls in 1999 and 2001.
- Ricky Cheuk Ming-yin: Won the Bowl on his debut in 2001 and in the same year became the first local player to score a try at a Rugby World Cup Sevens. He played at the Hong Kong Sevens until 2008.
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Rowan Varty: Hong Kong’s most capped sevens player made his debut in 2005 and is still playing for Hong Kong. A prolific try scorer who has also represented the Penguins and the Barbarians. Won the Shield in 2010.
Former skipper Paul Dingley gets up for a line-out ball at the 2004 Hong Kong Sevens. Photo: Antony Dickson/SCMP - Keith Robertson: A superb all-around sportsman and a true “X-factor” player with sublime skills. Debuted at the Sevens in 2007, won the Shield in 2010 and is still playing for Hong Kong.
Other players receiving honourable mention during the canvassing stage included Salom Yiu Kam-shing, Stuart Krohn, David Bulbeck, Norrie Rae, Andrew Chambers, Gary Cross, Kris Marin and Tom McQueen.
