Hong Kong Sevens 2022: hosts show shape of things to come, as local legend Salom Yiu bids farewell
- Mixture of veterans and rising stars end tournament with plenty of positives, as the local team turn attention to Asia Rugby Sevens Series
- ‘Hopefully I can share my old man experience with them – they are coming up so fast,’ says veteran Yiu, who gets a fitting send-off on Sunday
The triumph Hong Kong Stadium so desperately wanted never came, but the home team had played with such passion across this return edition of the Sevens that they exited the stage with their heads held high.
On Sunday they pushed Canada to 19-17, when they probably should have won, before thrilling the fans with a late rally against Japan that just ran out of time as they lost 24-17. There was a group huddle at the end and selfies later with the fans.
What we felt was a palpable sense the reigning Asia Rugby Sevens Series champions are evolving into a unit that can hold their own against the world’s best, with a mixture of seasoned pros and exciting young talent.
The 34-year-old Salom Yiu Kam-shing feels that, too, and pointed to how the team had grown into the tournament the longer it went.
“We have young players coming up and they are local players, with Chung Mak-kwai and Max, who is a f****** beast, that guy,” said Yiu, who was given a hero’s send-off by his teammates and the crowd after indicating this would be his last Hong Kong Sevens.
“Also Liam Doherty is a fast winger and then I hopefully can share my old man experience with them and it can blow up faster and faster. They’re coming up so quickly. It’s really exciting.”
