Serevi set for return to Hong Kong

'He has confirmed he will be available to play at least one match here'

After missing the last two Hong Kong Sevens, Waisale Serevi will return to the place where his name was made and the legend was born. The twinkle-toed wizard of seven-a-side rugby will be a guest of British touring side Penguins, who will play a couple of matches against Hong Kong later this month.

The all-time Fijian sevens great has accepted an invitation from the Penguins to play at flyhalf in the 15s code. Although he might have commitments to his French rugby club, Serevi has said he would be available for at least one of the two matches to be played in Hong Kong.

'Serevi has confirmed he will be available for at least one match in Hong Kong,' said Penguins manager Craig Brown. 'He might have to play in a French Second Division final around the time of our visit, but he is definitely a starter for our first game.''

The Penguins will play the Hong Kong national team on June 10 and the Hong Kong Barbarians, largely made up of those players who are not eligible to play for Hong Kong under the IRB's three-year residency rule, on June 13. Both matches will be played at the Hong Kong Football Club.

It will be a wonderful opportunity for Hong Kong's players to come up against the little master. Although more renowned for his sevens exploits, Serevi has still figured prominently for Fiji in the 15s code, winning 39 caps and playing in three World Cup campaigns.

'It will be great to see him in action in Hong Kong again,' said Allan Payne, Hong Kong Rugby Football Union executive director. 'He is of course a very popular figure in local rugby circles and I'm sure a lot of people will like to see him play here.''