TVB Pearl to replay Rugby Sevens final after cutting live coverage

The Hong Kong Rugby Sevens final will be broadcast on local television again - but only because TVB Pearl cut last month's decider after it overran its live coverage, causing viewers to miss the final dramatic minutes of the game.

In response to a deluge of complaints, TVB yesterday said it "sincerely and unreservedly apologised" for the disappointment caused to its viewers by the interruption, and would rebroadcast the match tomorrow at 8pm with no commercials.

It will be small consolation for Sevens fans who missed the actual ending a fortnight ago.

"It's not as if Wales are now going to come back in the second half and win the final instead of Fiji. It's a totally pointless exercise," said David Simpson, a local entrepreneur.

"But it's no wonder they've issued an official apology. My phone was hopping with texts from friends who were furious at not seeing the last minutes of the game."

Fiji claimed the trophy, beating Wales 26-19 after being 19-0 down at half-time.

But the broadcaster was blasted by rugby fans after it cut away from a finely poised final with minutes to go - to show its regular news broadcast.