THE Hong Kong Sevens has become more competitive, according to the game's top exponent, Waisale Serevi. The Fijian star said it was becoming more difficult to win with every side getting stronger. ''Every year it becomes a little bit harder to win. ''This is because teams are getting stronger and the level of play is higher,'' said Serevi. ''In the past we used to beat sides like Malaysia and South Korea by huge scores like 80-0. ''Today we beat them by say 26-0, or sometimes they even score against us.'' Although the top sides used to treat the first day's play in the preliminary rounds as an easy warm-up and leave the serious business for the second day, Serevi says this no longer holds true. ''You just cannot underestimate any team now,'' added Serevi. A good example as to how competitive the game here has become was last year's final between Fiji and Western Samoa which the latter won 14-12. This was the score at half-time too. Unbelievable that in 10 minutes of rugby (each half is this duration in the final), not a try was scored. Serevi, however, says that the referee played too big a part in that match. ''There was too much blowing. What people forget is that when sides like Fiji, Western Samoa and Tonga meet on the field, the game is very different. ''We are more physical, and I don't think we should be penalised for that.'' Anyone who has seen the Pacific Islanders in action in recent years, will vouch for the tough, uncompromising attitude of these sides. ''We play the game this way. Last week we were penalised in Canberra for tough tackling against the Australians. We played better than them, but we lost because our guys got frustrated,'' said Serevi.
