Veteran Yiu lifts HK as hosts give NZ a scare
Veteran Yiu Kam-shing crossed for Hong Kong's first try of the returning Hong Kong Sevens on Saturday, helping the hosts put rugby giants New Zealand to a stern test before an ultimate 38-14 defeat. "Take that New Zealand!" exclaimed RTHK's commentator Danny Hicks as Yiu, who is at his last Sevens having made his debut in 2009, went across under the posts. Seb Brien then scored out wide in the second half to put the SAR within 10 points of the New Zealanders. Hong Kong attacked valiantly, but two late tries snuffed out any hope of what would have been a massive upset. Yiu explained what the try meant to him: "Because the New Zealand team is my favourite team, and then against them I can score. I felt fit and excited, more happy and confident for the next game." Hong Kong next play surprise package Samoa, who top Pool A after adding the scalp of Australia to their Friday victory over New Zealand. The Samoans 22-17 win sets up a huge match at the end of the Saturday session, when Australia face New Zealand with only one likely to make it into the Cup. Elsewhere, five-time defending champions Fiji found themselves behind early on against Spain before recovering to win 35-21. Coach Ben Gollings, the all-time leading try-scorer at the Hong Kong Sevens from his days as an England player, said a sixth consecutive tournament victory was possible if Fiji can improve their defence. "A win is a win and that's the key at pool stages," he said. "Actually it was good for us to play against the likes of Spain, give us a bit of a test. Credit to Spain, they played well. We just need to tidy up our defence a bit, tacklewise. Making sure we're putting people on the ground. A bit more energy in our defence and our attack will look after itself." Gollings said he was excited to be back in the SAR and didn't mind the Covid rules in place. Fiji next face the USA, who beat Japan 35-22, in the Pool C decider. Pool B is tightly contested, with Great Britain recovering from Friday's defeat to France to beat South Africa 12-10, while the French overcame Uruguay 45-5. In Pool D, Ireland opened the day by beating Canada 19-17 before Argentina defeated Kenya 26-7, setting up an afternoon clash with the Irish to decide top spot.