Hong Kong sevens side ready to give Rees fitting farewell
Head coach oversees team on the pitch for the last time as they set out to defend their Asian crown in final leg of series in Singapore
Hong Kong will go all out to give head coach Dai Rees a farewell to remember as they attempt to defend their Asian crown by winning the final leg of the HSBC Asian Sevens Series in Singapore this weekend.
Rees will soon take a back seat as far as coaching is concerned with the appointment of former Wales sevens player and coach Gareth Baber as head coach of the rugby sevens programme at the Hong Kong Sports Institute.
The Singapore fling will be the last tournament with Rees in charge and hopes are high that the Jamie Hood-captained squad can wrap up another successful season by retaining the title.
I'm very proud of what the guys have done and it will be a special day if we can win this tournament
Standing in the way, as ever, are Japan, who won the opening two legs in Malaysia and Thailand before Hong Kong hit back to win the third leg in Mumbai in October to set up an enthralling finale on Sunday. Japan and Hong Kong have contested all three Cup finals so far and unless there is a shock result early in the 12-team competition, it points to another cliffhanger.
"I'm very proud of what the guys have done and it will be a special day if we can win this tournament and send me on my way, so to speak," said Rees, who will assume a new position as the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union's head of technical development and performance which will move him away from hands-on coaching.
"Having got to number one in Asia last year, it will be great to go out in this same position, leaving things in good hands and having given a launch pad for [next year's] Asian Games and other competitions. It is a special tournament for me handing over and it will be nice to have a good win and I will be putting plenty of pressure on the players to achieve that."
Japan defeated Hong Kong 14-10 to win the opening leg in Malaysia. In Thailand, Japan needed a sudden-death try having pushed the final into extra time with the last move in regulation time, to win 17-12. The Bombay Gymkhana, where Hong Kong were crowned Asian champions last season, proved to be a happy hunting ground for Hood and company as they convincingly defeated Japan 24-14.