Now for Asian Games gold, Gareth Baber tells Hong Kong
Victory over Japan gives city second successive Asian Sevens Series win, but coach says they must raise their game to grab top prize in Incheon
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Led superbly by "Captain Fantastic" Jamie Hood, Hong Kong won their second successive tournament in the Asian Sevens Series defeating Japan 24-7 in the Cup final in Malaysia, to all but win back the regional crown.
Coach Gareth Baber, however, warned that even winning back the Asian title will be meaningless if they do not return with a gold medal from the Asian Games in Incheon this month.
"The boys have done well winning two in a row, but this will count for nothing if we don't win the Asian Games [gold medal]," said hard taskmaster Baber after the triumphant unbeaten march at the Merdeka Stadium in Kuala Lumpur.
Mathematically arch-rivals Japan and South Korea can prevent Hong Kong from winning back the Asian title they last held in 2012 if either of them go on to win the China Sevens in Beijing (October 18-19) and Hong Kong fail to finish third.
Hood led by example with Rowan Varty and the McQueen brothers, Alex and Tom, also playing huge roles as Hong Kong gained valuable momentum going into the Asian Games.
Defeating South Korea 40-0 in the Cup final in Hong Kong and yesterday's accomplished, but smaller, margin of victory over Japan will do the team's confidence a great deal of good.