The Hong Kong Sevens has lost a true champion with Rupeni Ravonu's death at the age of 59. Not only did the Fijian taste glory at the Sevens as a player and coach, he also energetically argued for the March carnival to gain wider recognition as one of sport's great events.
'Hong Kong is undoubtedly the best [Sevens] tournament. It is irrelevant which is second; all the others are far inferior,' Ravonu said in an interview last February. 'The organisation, the crowd's contribution, the stadium, and the history make Hong Kong stand out.'
'The World Sevens Cup should always be held there. To consider staging it elsewhere is as ridiculous as moving the US Masters away from Augusta. I am still hopeful of going back there one day as Fiji's coach.'
Alas, it was not to be. Ravonu, who was fired as national coach after insisting that his charges discard jerseys bearing their sponsor's name in favour of biblical reference, grew increasingly bitter at the state of the game in his native land and he never returned to his favourite tournament again.
His links with the Sevens extended back to its second edition in 1977, when the Suva forward played a significant role in Fiji's initial victory. Although regularly likened to the Michelin Man due to his bulk, Ravonu was deceptively mobile. He read the game well and motivated teammates with a never-say-die attitude - qualities which enabled him to lift the Perpetual Cup as captain at the next fiesta.
Injury ruled Ravonu out in 1980, but he was present 12 months later, again as skipper. Once more he tasted success and when he announced he would hang up his boots Fiji appointed him as coach.