The future success of Hong Kong rugby will lie in the hands of new midfield duo Jason Going and Warren Warner, said Hong Kong coach Phil Campbell, who is already looking ahead to next year's Asian Championship.
Campbell does not want to be caught with his guard down again, and will be using the inaugural triangular series with China and Singapore as the first building block to next year's World Cup qualifying tournament.
The IRB-backed Asian triangular series - unfortunately the SAR are not with big boys Japan and South Korea - gets under way tomorrow when Singapore host the SAR. And Campbell will be using this opportunity to put in place combinations for the future.
'One vital area for Hong Kong is the midfield. I want to establish a midfield combination now, looking ahead to the future. I don't want to be in a situation like last time where we were caught short with players being unavailable at the last minute,' said Campbell.
At the 2000 Asian Championship in Aomori, Japan, Campbell was caught on the backfoot when a number of key players dropped out, forcing Hong Kong to field makeshift combinations in key areas. The midfield was one such department with a number of senior players opting out.
'I have to start anticipating the possibility of certain guys not playing again,' said Campbell. With veteran centre Rodney McIntosh having indicated that he would retire at the end of the season and with flyhalf Carl Murray unavailable for the trip, Campbell has the opportunity to try out Going at inside centre partnered by Warner, while grooming Rob Naylor to take over Murray's position.
