Ex-Sevens star Isake Katonibau to join ‘amazing’ Fiji fans in Hong Kong Stadium after 10s debut

The 35-year-old captains Mourant Fiji Army at HKFC this week, while legends line up for the first ‘tackle cancer’ match

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Isake Katonibau (right) celebrates Fiji’s victory in the 2015 Hong Kong Sevens. Photo: K.Y Cheng

Published: 6:11pm, 1 Apr 2019Updated: 10:03pm, 1 Apr 2019

Former Fiji Sevens star Isake Katonibau is used to making his opponents look silly at Hong Kong Stadium but this year he is preparing for a different week as captain of GFI HKFC 10s team Mourant Fiji Army.

While Katonibau has played in each of Fiji’s record-breaking four consecutive Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens victories, he will be watching from the stands this weekend as his countrymen look to make it five in a row.

“It will be very awkward for me to be on the other side [of the fence],” Katonibau said at Hong Kong Football Club on Monday as he prepares for the 10s.

Isake Katonibau is a towering presence for Fiji at the 2017 Hong Kong Sevens. Photo: K.Y Cheng

“I wish the Fiji team well. Hopefully they make history by winning five times in a row. No team has done that and I wish them luck. I’m just happy I was part of such a special team.”

Katonibau has not played for Fiji since the 2018 Hong Kong Sevens after being embroiled in a court case in June last year, however he is looking forward to mixing with the famous Fiji fans at Hong Kong Stadium on the weekend.