The kids are all right: ‘stars of tomorrow’ set to follow in footsteps of greats who made names at Hong Kong Sevens
Australian squad has five players aged 20 or under as teams plump for more youthful squads this year with one eye on the Commonwealth Games
Fate is handing a new generation of Sevens players the chance to walk in the footsteps of a giant at the Hong Kong Stadium this weekend.
It was 24 years ago now that a teenage rampage here set the rugby world afire. There had been rumours about the talent the 18-year-old Jonah Lomu was lugging into town back then but no one, really, expected to see the sheer brilliance the young Kiwi brought with him.
Lomu tore up the tournament as New Zealand lifted the Cup that year – and a storied 10-year Rugby Hall of Fame career followed.
“It really can set you up for life,” said Schoeman, who ran out in 2001 alongside future 15s World Cup winner Andre Pretorius.
“What you have to do is stay calm because the occasion is so huge. But you learn so much from playing against and being around the best players around. You have to get these young players out there and playing as that is the only way you learn. The only obstacle is the Hong Kong lights and the 40,000 spectators.”
The fact that many nations have divided their attentions between Hong Kong and the Commonwealth Games in Australia next week has meant there are youth policies being followed everywhere.