Utility the key to HK glory in Japan

HONG KONG'S 23-man squad to tour Japan next month lays stress on utility players rather than specialists.

Is this a sign that the veneer is rubbing thin, that Hong Kong rugby does not have enough top-quality players to go around? Let's hope the answer is no.

As the territory begin their campaign to qualify for the 1995 World Cup in South Africa, national coach George Simpkin will want to fine-tune his preparations without having to worry about injuries to his key players.

Simpkin will pray and hope that a Hans Lombardo situation does not arise (prop Lombardo was injured against Papua New Guinea and is out until next season).

Assuming that the reason why Simpkin has picked four players mainly for their all-round capabilities is to add depth, the Japan-bound squad looks quite strong.

The four players who will be asked to play in more than one role are Robin Bredbury (scrum-half, fly-half, centre), Alistair Milne-Hume (full-back and perhaps at centre), Roger Patterson (back row and second row) and Dave Lewis (tight head prop and hooker).

The back division looks stronger than any fielded in recent years. Players like newcomer Stephen Kidd, Isi Tu'ivai, Rodney McIntosh, Bredbury and Ashley Billington are all sound. When full-back Justin Weston returns, he will add strength and give Billington the chance to move back to his favoured slot at wing.