Waisale Serevi thanked God first and then English First Division club Leicester for Fiji's triumphant march to victory yesterday - their first Hong Kong sevens title since 1992.
'I was lucky to be here. I have to thank Leicester for the opportunity to play here . . . my 10th time in Hong Kong,' said Serevi.
Serevi was signed on by Leicester last year for a two-year contract reputed to be worth over GBP100,000 per season, but has a built-in clause that the Fiji Rugby Union had negotiated with the club whereby they release him for sevens duty. In 10 visits to Hong Kong, Serevi has ended in the victorious side on five occasions - four times at the Hong Kong Sevens, including yesterday's win, and at last year's triumph in the World Cup Sevens.
While Serevi was pleased as punch, he said the absence of the Home Unions had devalued the tournament a little bit, a view commonly held by many supporters this year.
'It would have been better if the Home Unions had been here,' said Serevi.
He was pleased with the way his team had recovered from Saturday's shock, when they were held to a 21-21 draw by Argentina in a group game.
