SOUTH Africa or bust. That is the goal for Hong Kong who depart this afternoon for Malaysia to participate in the 14th Asian Rugby Football Tournament (ARFT) which doubles as a World Cup qualifier.
To qualify, Hong Kong have to win the week-long tournament starting on Saturday, defeating South Korea, Thailand, Singapore and Japan in this order. A total of four games in seven days.
The good news for the territory as they leave is that Neil Munn will accompany the team safe in the knowledge that he has been given the green light by the International Rugby Football Board (IRB).
The bad news is that key player Justin Weston failed to pass a fitness test on Tuesday night and will remain at home. Weston's absence will be a big blow to Hong Kong's plans of winning the ARFT.
The Football Club fullback was the victim of a freak accident which saw him fall down some stairs and break bones in his feet soon after returning from the build-up tour to South Africa and Namibia in August.
Weston, who had the plaster on his feet removed recently, got back to training, but struggled to make an impact. This left coach George Simpkin with no option but to drop him from the 26-strong squad.
It is a bad blow. In Weston, Hong Kong had the proverbial tower of strength. He fulfilled the less glamorous task of fullback perfectly. Last-ditch tackles were his forte as was his coolness under aerial bombardment. Hong Kong will miss him badly in the last line of defence.
