First Nations & Pasifika aiming to unearth international stars on Hong Kong visit
Newly-established team poised for Tradition HKFC 10s next month after running British & Irish Lions close last year in their inaugural fixture
A fiercely proud and industrious First Nations & Pasifika team have been told they will be “playing to keep the jersey alive” on their Tradition HKFC 10s debut next month.
Comprised of players of Indigenous Australian or Pacific Islander origin, First Nations & Pasifika gave the British & Irish Lions a tremendous fright in their inaugural fixture last year.
While the side ultimately beaten 24-19 featured “the best of the best”, according to general manager Matt Sonter, it will be a younger but no less passionate group that comes to Hong Kong under the charge of Australia great Glen Ella.
“The way they train and their work ethic; they’re a credit to the game and to their families,” said Sonter, the former Australia 7s captain.
“I’m excited about watching some of them put themselves on national selection radars through playing well in Hong Kong.
“There’s an element of passion in the jersey that doesn’t exist in others. They’re representing their culture, their people and their families. In Melbourne [before the Lions match] the language used was that we needed to play well to keep this jersey alive; to give younger First Nations and Pasifika people in Australia the chance to represent them.”