“George said, ‘I want you to do something, take down all the jerseys of famous players you have hanging around your house. Go on, take them down. I don’t want you to see your opponents as big names but simply as professional players’.”

After Cross retired from playing, he was invited to Simpkin’s residence in Hong Kong. “That was his inner sanctum,” said Cross. “You wouldn’t go there as one of his players, only after you retired.

“So I walk in and I see all these jerseys of famous players hanging on his walls. I looked at him and he said. ‘for you, not for me!’

Those who have lived in Simpkin’s universe know it as an off-centre existence with an atmosphere that bends to his mood. Happiness is banned when Simpkin chooses to be grumpy but once the New Zealander unleashes his spectacular wit and allows joy to breach his surroundings, you are sucked into the laughter irrespective of how good or bad your day is.

Simpkin’s idiosyncratic world was lost forever on Thursday when he died after a battle with cancer near Hamilton in New Zealand. He was 77.

The former Waikato coach arrived in Hong Kong from Fiji in 1988, taking up the new role of technical director of the Hong Kong Rugby Union. By the time he left 11 years later, rugby in Asia, let alone in Hong Kong, had changed forever.

Local Chinese players were emerging to one day represent Hong Kong, the mainland had formed its first rugby governing body and the sevens game evolved – under Simpkin’s influence – into a faster and more entertaining spectacle that now enjoys global popularity and Olympic status.

However, his impact went far beyond the technicalities, rules and development of rugby. His influence on those who played under him reflected his true value as an individual. Simpkin enriched the lives of those under his wing, instilling a sense of belonging and flooding their hearts with pride, determination and ambition.

Players such as Stuart Krohn, Cross, Rodney McIntosh and others visited Simpkin in New Zealand last year upon hearing the news of his illness.

The gathering was akin to a pilgrimage, in which devotees felt the need to cross vast oceans to pay homage to the man who touched their lives through rugby.

“Yeah, we were his guys,” said Krohn, Simpkin’s former captain now based in Santa Monica, California. “We were his team. We’re all in touch with each other, through WhatsApp. After the diagnosis, we went down there [to New Zealand].

“There was a stream of visitors, which was good. George was typical George. No so much cranky. Obviously not feeling great but he was really funny and sharp and quick-witted, as usual”

Krohn said he cried inconsolably after news of his death reached him.

“I got a message from [Simpkin’s wife] Pip on email,” said Krohn. “Even though I knew it was coming, my immediate reaction was that I cried hard. I’m in mourning for the loss of a great man.”

Cross, now based in Wales, played hooker at sevens and 15s and also worked as a development officer with the HKRU. He had kept in touch with Simpkin regularly over the past few weeks and was devastated by the news.

“George called me last year and said ‘you’ve got to see me,” said Cross, fighting back tears. “I said, ‘what, like with Skype?’ and he said ‘no, you’ve got to come to New Zealand’. And then I knew that something was serious.

“The rugby gods have called him back. I made sure he knew how much he was loved by all of us. Right to the last. He’s at peace now. The heavens just got one hell of a coach back,” said Cross.

Dean Herewini, like Cross, worked for Simpkin at the Union and also played for the Hong Kong team he coached.

Herewini was part of Simpkin’s 1996-97 squad as Hong Kong finished second to Canada three years in a row, ahead of the likes of Japan and United States.

“I had the privilege to have George as the national coach for a number of years but the highlight was during the Pac Rim Series 96-97 when Hong Kong punched above its weight against formidable opposition,” he said.

“He was passionate with his coaching as you knew that George meant what he said. He had instant respect from his players, and we all grew very fond of him.

“He was a mentor to many and we all became followers, you just couldn’t get enough of George’s stories. He was very much a father figure.”

“I am one of many that George pulled into his office for a chat that enabled me to fulfil my dreams in rugby.”

During his time in Hong Kong, Simpkin was rarely seen without sidekick, KK Chiu – his right-hand man who played a major role in helping rugby penetrate Hong Kong schools and raise interest among the local Chinese.

“The Chinese players you see now in the Hong Kong team such as Salom Yiu Kam-shing, Cado Lee Ka-to, Mak Kwai-chung, Fong Kit-fung and Eric Kwok Pak-nga are there because of the work done by George all those years ago,” said Chiu, now director of external affairs at the HKRU.

“George had such a passion for the game. He loved teaching people and was an inspiration to me. It’s a really hard day for me.”