Fijian foray a learning experience for territory

It is nice to see Hong Kong return home with some silverware from the Fiji Sevens, especially as it was the territory's debut appearance.

According to reports from Suva, the territory had found a lot of favour from the Fijian fans who at the end of the day were firmly behind Hong Kong in the Plate final against Uruguay (Hong Kong won 33-0).

This must partly be due to the fact that Hong Kong coach George Simpkin is a well-respected figure in Fiji rugby circles, having coached the country to a quarter-final berth in the inaugural 15s World Cup in 1987.

Simpkin had wanted Hong Kong to play in this tournament, widely regarded as one of the toughest sevens tournaments in the world, simply because it would give the side much-needed match practice, and open their eyes to how the game is being played at the highest level and in a country where sevens rugby is revered.

Simpkin and Hong Kong got their wish.

'The tournament highlighted our strengths and weaknesses. It also gave us the opportunity to play and see top-class sevens rugby,' said Simpkin at the end of the tournament.

Simpkin said Hong Kong would have to work on their defensive patterns, while in attack he said the territory showed they had good technique. Hong Kong have two weeks to get it all right before the all-important Hong Kong Sevens.