2 MINUTES WITH... ROWAN VARTY

ROWAN VARTY

He made the transition from boy to man last week when he debuted for Hong Kong coming on as substitute on the left wing against Singapore. But sadly the rugby ball never travelled down the line in the 10 minutes left in the match and the former KGV schoolboy is still waiting for his first touch of the ball at the senior international level. He is 18.

Frustrated at not getting your hands on the ball?

Yes. I made one tackle though. But I'm still happy, for you have to start somewhere. It's been great. Last year I was playing for the under-19s and now I'm in the senior team.

It must have been a long wait on the bench?

I was a little bit nervous waiting. But I felt very comfortable as soon as I went on with about five minutes left. It was 10 minutes, actually.

Time must have flown?

It was all over soon. I hope I get more game time when we play against China.

You were part of the preliminary sevens squad too?

I didn't make the final cut for this year's Hong Kong Sevens. But I went with the sevens squad to New Zealand for training.

Did you play much?

Once again I spent a lot of time on the bench. Everyone says I need more experience, but to get experience you need game time and I hope I get that. I'm quite an expert bench-warmer.

It seems KGV has a knack of producing wings for Hong Kong?

Indeed. There is Andrew Chambers, Ricky Cheuk and now me. I hope there are more to follow. A lot of this has to do with the coaching we get, especially from Charlie Riding.

What's your next move?

I have just finished my schooling at KGV. In September I will be going to Nottingham University to study law. It is a three year course.

Will rugby be on the backburner?

I will continue to play when I'm in the UK. When I get back, I want to play for the senior team.

Any ambitions, apart from being a lawyer?

To play at the 2009 Rugby World Cup Sevens.