Hong Kong launch new era as local talent is drafted into action

Hong Kong will parade its new face of rugby when the inaugural regional Tri-Nations tournament kicks off in Singapore this weekend.

The Hong Kong Rugby Football Union, which committed itself to the International Rugby Board's three-year eligibility ruling late last season, will be watching nervously as the 24-strong playing party leaves on Friday for a date with destiny.

Ten of the squad, or more than one-third of the party, are Chinese or of Chinese parentage. The days when Hong Kong was wholly represented by expatriates are over. 'I'm quite excited about the whole thing. The new policy has given a lot of guys the opportunity and I hope they take it,' said coach Phil Campbell yesterday.

Veteran prop Rob Grindlay will lead the team, made up of a fair sprinkling of tried and tested players with international experience, amongst them Rodney McIntosh, Mark Solomon, Brent Edwards, Glen Tracey and Bryce Dailly.

Most of the Chinese players have little or no playing experience at a senior level apart from fullback Chan Fuk-ping and flanker Kelvin Yip Kwok-ho.

The pair represented Hong Kong at the 1996 Asian Championships in Taipei with Chan playing commendably in all four of Hong Kong's games.