Malaysia and Thailand given boot as Sevens ties strained

The traditional ties between the Hong Kong Sevens and Asia were formally loosened yesterday when organisers of the 2002 Credit Suisse First Boston sponsored tournament dropped Malaysia and Thailand for the March 22-24 event.

'Personally, I'm disappointed that we have to do this because we are a major part of the Asian Rugby Football Union. But we understand the position of the IRB [International Rugby Board] which wants balance,' said Hong Kong Rugby Football Union chairman John Molloy.

The Hong Kong Sevens is the seventh leg of this season's IRB World Sevens Series. The world governing body now has a major say in the composition of teams that play in each of the 11 legs. The IRB wanted Hong Kong to cut down on the number of teams from the region to make way for other sides.

'We lost our independence ever since we joined the World Sevens Series,' admitted Molloy. 'They have said that since there are other tournaments in Asia, some teams will have to be omitted from Hong Kong. We will make every endeavour to invite them back next year.'

The long arm of the IRB will also be felt on the playing field this year. The half-time interval will be extended by one minute to two minutes, apparently due to television commercials. The IRB holds all TV rights.

Malaysia and Thailand were two of the teams that played at the first Hong Kong Sevens in 1976 and are stalwarts of the Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU) of which Hong Kong is a member. The Hong Kong Sevens was originally set up to promote and foster rugby in Asia.

Officials from both overseas unions were unhappy at the decision. 'It is a shame we can't play,' Thailand Rugby Union official Decho Sariputra said. 'We have played at every Hong Kong Sevens and it is the biggest and the best tournament. We are most disappointed that we have not been invited.'