Former Fiji Sevens star Isake Katonibau is used to making his opponents look silly at Hong Kong Stadium but this year he is preparing for a different week as captain of GFI HKFC 10s team Mourant Fiji Army. While Katonibau has played in each of Fiji’s record-breaking four consecutive Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens victories, he will be watching from the stands this weekend as his countrymen look to make it five in a row. “It will be very awkward for me to be on the other side [of the fence],” Katonibau said at Hong Kong Football Club on Monday as he prepares for the 10s. “I wish the Fiji team well. Hopefully they make history by winning five times in a row. No team has done that and I wish them luck. I’m just happy I was part of such a special team.” Katonibau has not played for Fiji since the 2018 Hong Kong Sevens after being embroiled in a court case in June last year, however he is looking forward to mixing with the famous Fiji fans at Hong Kong Stadium on the weekend. Hong Kong Sevens immeasurable, says Olympic-winning coach Ben Ryan – ‘it is the soul of world sevens’ “I will definitely be getting among them. Fiji fans around the world, when they come to Hong Kong they are just amazing,” he said. Mourant Fiji Army are making their debut at the 10s, which take place on Wednesday and Thursday, and Katonibau said he is hoping his team can show that Fijians can shine in all formats of rugby. “It’s going to be interesting. I haven’t played 10s in my life. I have represented my country in 15s and sevens so it will be a good experience,” he said. “It’s a different team. Everyone will think the team will come from a sevens background, but the team I have prepared are all 15s players. We want to show that Fiji can also do well and perform at 10s and 15s.” Hong Kong Sevens: USA Eagles soaring as they target an historic first win at blue riband event This year’s 10s will also feature the first Rugby Legends Tackle Cancer exhibition game to raise money for the tournament’s official charity, the Hong Kong Cancer Fund. Former sevens stars Ben Gollings, DJ Forbes and Samisoni Viriviri will be joined on the field by the likes of Jason Leonard, David Campese and Rob Vickerman. Gareth Wilde, who is the chairman of the 10s organising committee, has suffered from cancer and is hopeful the event can raise up to HK$300,000. “Through that process you start to realise how much cancer affects people, almost everybody is affected somehow,” he said. “What started off as a little idea of raising a little bit of money – we were thinking of auctioning or raffling something – morphed into this and the support we have had is absolutely fantastic.” The exhibition will be a 10-a-side game of touch rugby on Thursday afternoon before the Cup semi-finals.
