Valley's Championship import plan faces fiery reception

A move by defending league champions Valley to bring in a front-rower from New Zealand for the Grand Championship, which kicks off this Saturday, could cause an uproar amongst the rest of the First Division.

Importing players is not illegal. But resentment would be high, especially at arch-rivals Hong Kong Football Club, who have written to the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union (HKRFU) asking it to take measures to prevent such an occurrence.

In a letter dated February 5, John Molloy, the chairman of Football Club's rugby section, has requested the HKRFU to see that clubs be prevented from importing players specially for the Grand Championship.

Molloy said: 'We believe that bringing players in to Hong Kong to play in the Grand Championship is entirely contrary to the intention of the tournament and to the spirit of the game in general.

'We have been informed that there is no rule at present to prevent this occurring.' Football Club have also stated: 'For a player to be eligible, he must have played on at least two occasions previously for the club during the season.' Valley coach Rodney McIntosh admitted his club have plans to import a front-row forward. But he brushed aside suggestions that the move will boost the side.

'If we do bring someone in, it will simply be for safety reasons and to provide cover in the front row. We are not bringing in someone so that we can just win the Grand Championship. We don't want to boost the team with rock stars,' said McIntosh yesterday.

Football Club beat Valley, 18-12, in the final round of the Super Sixes last month, and both sides will meet again this Saturday in the first round of the Grand Championship.

'We have got enough people to put on deck, except in the front row. We are worried about the safety aspects here. Even if we bring in someone, he won't start the game,' added McIntosh.

Club, who have failed to wrest the league title away from Valley for the past few seasons, are unconvinced and had asked for a special meeting of club chairmen to clarify the rules and spirit of the Grand Championship.

McIntosh scoffed at the Football Club initiative. 'They can't afford to talk. Last season they brought in a second rower specifically for the Grand Championships . . . and they still lost.' Meanwhile, Kowloon's campaign for the Grand Championship received a twin-boost over the weekend with the news that powerhouse centre Riaz Fredericks and inventive scrumhalf Stephen Kidd will be available for the season-ending tournament.

Fredericks has received a one-month extension from the immigration department, while Kidd returns from injury, which has kept him out for most of the season.

'It is good news that both players are available. They are crucial to our plans,' said Kowloon skipper Nigel D'Acre yesterday.

Kowloon meet Aberdeen at the Aberdeen Stadium on Saturday (4.25 pm).

'We are not looking too far ahead and are just taking one game at a time. At the moment the focus is just on beating Aberdeen,' said D'Acre.

Fredericks, who arrived in Hong Kong in January, was given an extension last Saturday. Kowloon are also trying to arrange a work visa for the dreadlocked centre.

Hong Kong captain Kidd has been out since December after he injured his back at the Dubai Sevens. But he has been turning up at club training and also at sessions with the Hong Kong Sevens squad this past fortnight.

'He has been looking pretty sharp,' said Kowloon teammate Rick Shuttleworth, who will also be turning out after a long absence.

Shuttleworth has been out of action since the Asian Championships last October. Although struggling to regain 100 per cent fitness, the dynamic open-side flanker has recovered from a knee operation and is keen to play.

'I don't think I will be able to last a full game. But I will be available on the bench,' added Shuttleworth.

The return of all their absent stars gives Kowloon much cause for optimism against Aberdeen. The winner of this game will meet the loser of the Club v Valley match next Saturday - to earn the right to meet the Club v Valley winners, who progress straight into the Grand Final.