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Alvin Sallay

Chris Gordon's chance to lead Hong Kong for the first time - at this week's Fiji Sevens - has been dashed by a knee injury.

 The newly appointed Hong Kong sevens captain pulled out of the 10-strong squad because a scan on his right knee had highlighted a stress fracture.

 A severe bruising of the bones on his other knee had also impressed on team officials to play it safe and keep Gordon at home in the hope that he would recover in time for the March 27-29 Hong Kong Sevens.

 'We are concerned about his welfare. We want to give him the opportunity of recovering for the Hong Kong Sevens and don't want to run him into the ground,' said coach Jim Rowark yesterday.

 Gordon's place in the Hong Kong squad, who left last night for Suva, Fiji, was taken by Kowloon winger Ananaiyasa Benu. Carl Murray will take over as captain.

 Gordon injured his right knee during a sevens training session last month.

 He was slowly recovering and was expected to be fit for this weekend's Fiji Sevens.

 But the Football Club winger returned to action last Saturday for the crucial league clash against Valley in the Grand Final and the expert opinion was that he came back too soon.

 'It was an important game and I wanted to play. I'm surprised that I completed the game but I couldn't get involved in it as much as I would have liked,' said Gordon.

 This is also the feeling among the Hong Kong management, who have decided that it is better to be safe than sorry. They want the speedster fit and ready for the Hong Kong Sevens.

 'I'm pretty confident that I will be able to play in the Hong Kong Sevens. But I'm disappointed that I can't go to Fiji,' said Gordon.

 He will now undergo an intensive course of physiotherapy and take anti-inflammatory drugs in the race to get fit.

 Hong Kong have been drawn with Western Samoa, a New Zealand-based Fijian side and Uruguay in the preliminary round of the 16-team Fiji Sevens. The Hong Kong squad comprises Murray, Benu, Nathan Ashley, Nigel D'Acre, Paul Dingley, Vaughan Going, Warren Warner, Roger Leeson, Robert McDonald and Luke Nabaro.

 Gordon is the second player to drop out from the original squad. Stephen Kidd pulled out last month, replaced by Warren Warner.

 Scott Pierce and Graeme Bachop will be back to lead defending champions Aliens at the Football Club Carlsberg International 10s on March 25-26.

 The Clifford Chance Aliens, comprising overseas players based in Japan, will also include Canadian forwards Glen Ennis and Eddie Evans and Kiwi Arran Pene.

 Organisers seeded newcomers from Sydney, the Drummoyne Reds, to head Pool F. Hong Kong's Asian Dragons, who are using this tournament as a build-up to the Asian Games in December, were drawn with them.

 CARLSBERG 10s DRAW  Pool A: Clifford Chance Aliens (Japan), Wanderers RFC (Singapore), Macau Typhoons.

 Pool B: Hong Kong Barbarians, Acorn Rugby Club (Japan), Australian Master.

 Pool C: Hyundai Australian Rugby Legends, China Agricultural University, British Club Bangkok.

 Pool D: Crosby Kowloon, European Exiles (UK), ISCI (Indonesia).

 Pool E: Hong Kong Football Club, PLA Sports Institute, Panaga (Brunei).

 Pool F: Drummoyne Reds (Australia), Hong Kong Asian Dragons, Dubai Exiles.

 Pool G: FPD Guardforce Magicians, Tokyo Gaijins, China Barbarians.

 Pool H: Jardine Fleming Anzacs, Singapore Cricket Club, Black Watch (Scotland).



Knee injury delays 'Flash' Gordon's debut as territory's leader