Welcome to the Asian sevens merry-go-round, where Hong Kong and Japan are destined to exist in a vortex until the end of time
Paul John’s new-look side prove they don’t need a rebuild, but moving on to bigger and better things still seems unlikely
You can just picture a bewildered Paul John slipping further and further into a state of delirium as one after another of his star players shuffle nervously into his office and tell him they are off to (potentially) greener pastures.
Maybe that’s a stretch, but there’s no doubt the straight-shooting Welshman has had plenty on his plate since arriving in Hong Kong to replace Gareth Baber in March.
First there was the unenviable task of steering Hong Kong through a World Series qualifier – one that came with high expectations – only weeks into his new job.
Since then, former captain Max Woodward, stalwarts Alex and Tom McQueen, dynamic winger Ryan Meacheam and up and coming scrum half Cado Lee Ka-to have left Hong Kong.
Some may yet be back for next year’s Hong Kong Sevens, but there must have been times when John’s head was spinning at the thought of meeting increasing expectation with half the cattle.
