The youngster will appear for crack New Zealand team Aliens in the two-day festival at Hong Kong Football Club on Wednesday and Thursday (March 25-26).
“He’s something special,” said Aliens coach Willie Los’e. “He’s faster and fitter than any player we’ve brought to this tournament in the past 17 years, and that includes various All Blacks we’ve had playing for us.
“I just hope we can create some space for him because he’s unbelievable. If we can give him enough ball, he’ll finish for us – not too many guys are going to catch him.”
Los’e also has high hopes for scrumhalf Phillip Tuigamala – nephew of former All Blacks winger Va’aiga Tuigamala. “He’s got thighs like his uncle but he’s also got great intelligence for the game and the ability to beat people, so we’re very excited to have him in our team as well.”
Aliens, seeded second at the Tens, are renowned for unearthing future stars – past players include recent All Black tourists Hosea Gear and Scott Waldrom, several members of the current New Zealand sevens squad and numerous Super 14 players.
Their 2009 squad also includes plenty of experience to complement the youngsters with New Zealand sevens regular Solomon King expected to play a key role.
Aliens, who have won the Tens four times and finished runners-up on five occasions, are regular visitors to the tournament thanks to the efforts of their major backer, leading finance lawyer Paul Kruger.
The New Zealander, a partner with Linklaters in Tokyo, keeps a low profile but is invaluable to the team.
“He’s the reason we’re here,” said Los’e. “He gives our players the opportunity to become professional athletes. He stays in the background and never wants to be mentioned, but his contribution is phenomenal.”
Top seeds for the Tens are elite touring team the Penguins, attempting to win for the first time after finishing runners-up the past two years.
Their powerful multinational squad includes three outstanding sevens players, Roy Kinikinilau of New Zealand, Alapasa Cordtz of Samoa and Fijian Turuva Lumelume.
They also have Samoan international flyhalf Roger Warren and Portugal’s 2007 Rugby World Cup captain, Joao Uva. The side is skippered by James Afoa, brother of All Blacks prop John.
“The Penguins selection for each tour is always different so we’ve got a totally new squad compared to last year,” said manager Craig Brown.
“The Tens is a good couple of days and we’re very much looking forward to it. There are always some good teams and sometimes it can be the bounce of the ball that decides a game, so we just have to make sure we’re prepared.
“Being a scratch side, the key thing for us is communication, so we’re just going to take it one game at a time. Our first game is 11:00am on Wednesday and that’s where our focus is.”
Coaching in the community is always a key part of Penguins tours and Hong Kong is no different.
Four HSBC Penguin Academy coaches, Peter Gallagher, Dean Herewini, Abby Wills and Jamie Baron, are conducting rugby clinics with clubs and schools this week. In addition, the entire squad spent Wednesday afternoon coaching mini rugby players at Sandy Bay.
Third seeds for the Tens are the Alternative New Zealand Legends, sponsored by a group of 15 rugby fans from the hedge fund industry.
South African newcomers Scatterlings of Africa are seeded fourth and have former Springboks captain and 2007 Rugby World Cup winner Bobby Skinstad in their line-up.
Another high profile player on show is scrumhalf Philippe Carbonneau, capped 33 times by France, who is playing for SOC GEN Pyrenees.
The Tens sees 16 club and invitational teams from around the world competing for four trophies – the Cup, Plate, Bowl and Shield – at HKFC in Sports Road, Happy Valley.
Pool matches take place on Wednesday (March 25), beginning at 11:00am, while Thursday (March 26) will see the knockout rounds being played. Fans can gain admission by purchasing two-day tickets, costing HK$200 each, at the gate.
The tournament is once again title sponsored by global cash and derivatives broker GFI.
GFI HKFC Tens draw (number in bracket denotes seeding)
Pool A: Penguin International RFC (1), Hill & Associates Trox AITCS Hong Kong Barbarians, Wild Titans, Devils Advocate Wanchai Wanderers.
Pool B: Aliens (2), HKRFU Chairman’s X, SOC GEN Pyrenees, China Agricultural University.
Pool C: Alternative New Zealand Legends (3), Irish Vikings, Playmore Phantoms, Champion Systems Overseas Old Boys.
Pool D: Scatterlings of Africa (4), Borneo Eagles, Cardiff University RFC, Hong Kong Football Club.
ENDS
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