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SCMP Reporter

WHEN you are training with a hangover, the last thing you want is the likes of Eric Rush, Frank Bunce and Junior Paramore running straight at you.

 But that's what happened to the Old Centurions up at King's Park in Kowloon yesterday.

 The Centurions, who are in Hongkong to play in the international 10-a-side tournament, are, according to a spokesman, a collection of ''Army, Police and wasters'' from Ashchurch in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire.

 And when they heard the Kiwis were looking for some friendly opposition, they were only too happy to help out.

 ''Training against these guys is the highest level we have ever played at,'' said one of the team.

 ''We got here on Friday and have been drunk ever since. As well as 20,000 copy watches to take back home, we can also take back memories of the day we played New Zealand.''   'Lion' is mane attraction  THE South African rugby team probably wish their love for luggage was as strong as their love for Lion lager.

  The Springboks had a nightmare debut touchdown at Kai Tak airport yesterday when it was discovered that they had left their luggage in Singapore during a stop-off.

  But there was no problem in ''getting down the beers'', as specific arrangements were made by their brewer sponsors to transport the beer from South Africa.

  On arriving at the Hilton Hotel, their host from Police rugby club Alex Tan was immediately on the phone to the courier company handling the beer and was happily able to tell the squad that 40 cases of the amber fluid would be delivered today.

   Journeyman with mission  FORMER German international Mathias Entenmann has a journeyman history that nearly rivals Hongkong's resident nation-hopper Stuart Krohn.

  Having played for Germany three times at the Sevens, Entenmann will this week make his fourth appearance as part of the Hongkong side, having settled in the territory last year.

  But he revealed that he also spent 1988 playing rugby in Namibia for the Windhoek Wanderers.

  Which explains why he was eagerly waiting for the Namibian team's arrival yesterday.

  ''I know some of the players. In fact I'm helping three of them find some accommodation for their wives, as it would cost them too much for the hotel,'' he said.

  'Do or diet' for Hongkong  THE pasta blasters are back. The Hongkong Sevens squad yesterday savoured their last chews of raw meat as today they begin national coach George Simpkin's strict carbohydrate diet in preparation for the weekend's action.

  Pasta, potatoes and bread will be the order of the day, night and morning for the 10 Hongkong players, who take on Ireland and appropriately, Italy, in their group matches.

  Simpkin introduced the regimen to Hongkong for the first time at the Sicily Sevens last year and he repeated it at September's Asian Championship.

  Both times the territory finished runners-up in the tournament. And with all their preparation, Hongkong are bound to do well, as long as they remember to ''pasta'' ball.



All Black and blue