A few isolated drops of rain and a mist that resembled the fug one normally associates only with the bar area under Hong Kong Stadium's South Stand did nothing to dampen spirits at the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens yesterday.
While there were a few names missing from the usual list of corporate-box-holders, there was little sign that the global financial crisis was having too much of an impact on Hong Kong's annual orgy of excess.
Of course, that will all change today when the two finalists stand ready to do battle and are serenaded by a choir that has been halved. Rather than an octet, as greeted last year's finalists, this year's national anthems will be sung by a quartet.
The Hong Kong Rugby Football Union had been pushing for a soloist.
There was no hint of trouble except for the sighting of a very sombre and slightly bruised-looking Paula Maisiri, the former Fijian player who was convicted of assaulting a police officer after a rolling brawl in Wan Chai on Friday morning.
Also sighted was former Wallabies captain George Gregan, who left the stadium after perpetual underachievers Australia were again humiliated by New Zealand, 17-5.
