First day of Tens has it all for rugby fans
Tim McGann is sent off after altercation with BGC APB's Orene Ai'i as the defending champions find Country formidable
Bone-thudding challenges, fast-flowing rugby, an entertaining punch-up and a minor feel-good story, all for free - the GFI HKFC Tens was not a bad way to while away Wednesday for fans.
Last year's winners, the BGC APB All Stars, were put to a tough test in their final match, against Borrelli Walsh Australia Country - a hard-fought game became quite literally so when former IRB World Sevens Player of the Year Orene Ai'i seemed to stamp on Country's Tim McGann.
It's a real privilege playing with these guys, with all the Samoans, Tongans, Fijians and Kiwis, and I'm proud to pull on the jersey
Former Waratahs and Australia Sevens flanker McGann took exception to this and decided to debate the point forcefully with Ai'i, who was happy to reply in kind. The referee, being half the size of both men, opted to observe proceedings from afar before sending-off McGann after a lengthy interval. That seemed harsh - Ai'i was later cited for his involvement - and McGann thought so, loudly expressing his sense of injustice from the sideline, and heading back for round two after the final whistle.
It would be traditional to say this marred a fine day's sport, but if anyone in the crowd was offended they were not showing it, and in fact it merely showed how serious the teams were.
It was harsh on Country, who had well-matched the APBs until the sending-off; to add insult to injury Ai'i set up both APB's tries, for USA international Todd Clever and highly-rated young Fijian Filipo Nakosi, who top-scored with six tries yesterday.
"They were great," said Clever referring to Country. "They got us out of our game plan, took it to us, were physical. After the red card, it turned out to be a good five minutes. We're going to go for it. It's a real privilege playing with these guys, with all the Samoans, Tongans, Fijians and Kiwis, and I'm proud to pull on the jersey."
Suspended McGann will get a rest for today's Cup quarter-finals and Ai'i could, too, after an early morning disciplinary hearing, as HSBC Penguins play top seeds APBs and Tradition YCAC face Country. The other quarters see Malaysian-based Cobra face Tag Heuer Eyewear Pyrenees, and ULR Samurai International facing Hill and Associates Scottish Barbarians.