Tana Umaga hopes Dragons will breathe fire again at Hong Kong Tens
The Tana Umaga-coached BGC Asia-Pacific Dragons are favourites to defend their crown at the GFI HKFC Tens, starting on Wednesday at Hong Kong Football Club.
The Tana Umaga-coached BGC Asia-Pacific Dragons are favourites to defend their crown at the GFI HKFC Tens, starting on Wednesday at Hong Kong Football Club.
The squad draws on some of the best talent from New Zealand and the Pacific Islands and All Black legend Umaga said: "Obviously, there is a lot of expectation this year. We have a similar side to last year but this is also a great opportunity for the lads who will be coming here for the first time."
Every year they call the Hong Kong Tens a festival; but it’s not a festival any more. There are some quality sides, quality players
With the standards and quality of players improving each year, Umaga expects an even tougher competition than last year's tournament, where his team beat Tradition YCAC 29-14 in the Cup final.
"The Penguins have some quality players, such as Rico Gear and Todd Clever, and Tradition YCAC will also be up there as a team to watch.
"Our first game is against the Allied World Forces Exiles, who are a youthful squad and will be exuberant and will be a tough first match," said the 74-times capped former All Black.
"Every year they call the Hong Kong Tens a festival; but it's not a festival any more. There are some quality sides, quality players."
"Ed Fidow is a young Auckland boy who has a tonne of pace. He plays Sevens for Auckland and is probably not far off the New Zealand squad. It's going to be great to see him in action and give him a bit of space and try to keep up with him," says Gear.
"I'm quite excited to be playing alongside some of these new boys that are starting their careers, and seeing how they go in this tournament," said Gear.
Sixteen teams will compete in four round-robin pools on Wednesday before progressing into the Cup, Plate, Bowl, and Shield competitions on Thursday.
