Coach Dai Rees hails fresh talent as Hong Kong go down to Belgium

Belgium was a bridge too far for Hong Kong but head of performance Dai Rees hailed the second Emirates Airline Cup of Nations as a success with a number of players announcing they were ready to step into the void left by sevens players next season.

"We have achieved what we set out to do which was to unearth players who can fill the places left vacant by the sevens squad next season," said Rees.

"Guys like centres Stewart Megraw and Craig Wilson, flyhalf Chris McAdam, the two scrumhalves Charles Cheung and Kenneth Hsieh, and in the forwards, Matt Lamming, who was the find of the tournament, have all put their hands up." .

Another bonus was the return of skipper Tom McColl, playing international rugby for the first time in 16 months after earning his pilot's wings with Cathay Pacific.

Hong Kong beat Zimbabwe (22-7) and the United Arab Emirates (51-6) but fell 24-12 at the final hurdle to a powerful Belgium outfit, boasting a number of seasoned professionals who play in the French leagues.

Hong Kong tackled their hearts out but the bigger Belgium forwards dominated at the breakdown to score a try in each half, which proved the difference between the sides. All of Hong Kong's points came from the left foot of McAdam, another plus point as next season's HSBC Asian Five Nations Top Five competition looms.