The hype’s well and truly right up there as the Hong Kong 7s takes place at the Happy Valley this weekend.
It’s difficult not to be enveloped by the intense scrutiny and loyal following for this event.
For many decades we have dominated headlines at So Kon Po.
For many decades, we have unleashed stars the likes of the maestro Waisale Serevi.
We have dazzled and captured the imagination of millions of 7s rugby fans around the world.
Who can ever forget big names like William Ryder, Vilimoni Delasau, Bill Satala, Apolosi Satala, the Steelman Aminiasi Naituyaga, Etuate Honda Gusuivalu, Senivalati Laulau, Dominiko Manaseitava, Sela Gutugutuwai, Esala Labalaba, Mesake Rasari, Sireli Bobo, Semisi Naevo, the Rauluni brothers of Meli, Vesi, Vili and Peni and a host of other big names who donned our colours with great pride.
As the curtains close on the familiar venue, there is a sense of appreciation of how much the event meant to the development of the abbreviated version of the sport.
From its very early days, the Hong Kong 7s unveiled a different kind of fan.
It attracted the attention of a wide cross section of the Fijian population.
From the youngest to the oldest, it seemed the majority of Fijian fans understood the game and were passionate about how it was played.
They could relate to it much better than they would to 15s rugby.
The nation rejoiced when our team won, and the mood changed when we lost.
You could feel the pulse of the nation! We may be a dot on the globe, but we were effectively punching above our weight when it came to 7s rugby.
We knew how to play it! We were good at it, and we could beat any team on our good days.
That instilled great pride in fans. It became a sort of glue that brought us together.
It made sense then that sports could be a bridge that brought people together.
Despite differences in terms of gender, ethnicity, and religion, 7s rugby, especially Hong Kong 7s rugby, was special.
With interest waning following poor shows in the World Rugby 7s circuit, there is renewed hope now following what many fans feel were long overdue changes.
Whatever the outcome, it is good to note the atmosphere and the wave of emotions riding on our foray into the mecca of 7s rugby this weekend.
It is encouraging to see the emphasis now placed on our team.
There is hope for big things.
The question is do we have the will to be competitive?
It will all come down to doing more than just dreaming big dreams, but doing the hard yards, and living that dream!
But we say go Fiji, go!
