Scrumhalf Andrew Wong Kee hasn't touched a ball in earnest since February this year. But he is already the talk of the town as the 2002-03 league kicks off today, ushering in the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union's 50th anniversary season.
On reaching such an important landmark, one might expect the union to sit back and reflect happily on its achievements in the past five decades - mainly taking the game to the local community, providing a viable competition at all levels for men and women and hosting the world's most successful and enjoyable sevens tournament.
But there is a cloud hanging over the celebrations this week. In question is whether the union's 10-month ban on Wong Kee for biting two players - Hong Kong Football Club's Owain Morrison on the right hand and Craig Chudleigh on his arm - is legal.
The union received a shock on Monday when a High Court judge temporarily lifted the ban on Wong Kee until the court heard Valley's challenge over the legality of the decision to suspend him. The union was were caught napping. It did not even have a legal representative in court when the ruling was made.
Valley had made a formal complaint to the union, arguing the decisions the sub-committee (which issued the ban) made were unlawful and that it had acted beyond the scope of its powers. The suspension order against Wong, made in February, is due to expire on December 27.
To add another twist to the off-the-park rumble is the news that Valley have picked Wong Kee to lead their campaign for lost glory this season. Having been edged out by Aberdeen in the Grand Final last season, Valley feel that in Wong Kee they have a leader - now that Paul Dingley has switched to Football Club - who has the fighting qualities to win them back the First Division title.