Silverbacks begin Hong Kong 10s campaign

Hong Kong 10s tourneyPool A, todayAll Stars vs Rwanda 11amBorelli Walsh vs Rwanda 2.45pmRwanda vs Lloyd McDermott 7.40pmSILVERBACKS BEGIN a tough journey of winning their maiden major silverware for Rwanda when they compete in the two-day GFI HKFC Tens, which will be held today and tomorrow at Hong Kong Football Club.Rwanda start her campaign against The All Stars in the opening match today and they will also face Australian sides Borrelli Walsh Australian Country and Lloyd McDermott Warriors in Pool A.Frank Hadden, the former Scotland coach, who is managing the Silverbacks, admitted the tournament would already have been tough enough without being grouped with the champions, but that the experience would prove invaluable for the young rugby nation.“This team faces a lot of challenges, up against professional players, who know the game inside out. These boys (Silverbacks players) are just so keen to make progress and it’s a wonderful opportunity for them,” Hadden said.“I admire their ambition. They felt they needed a tougher challenge this year and I’m delighted to help out in any way I can. I worked with these guys in Rwanda a couple of years ago and it’s a real honour to be back to help them this year.“The whole purpose is to make progress. We want them to finish better players than when we started. At the end of two days of the GFI HKFC Tens, I think they’ll be delighted with the progress they’ve made.”Dave Hughes, the team’s assistant coach who organised Rwanda’s tours to Hong Kong, said captain Benjamin Makombe and ‘flier’ Vincent Kamali are among the side’s leading lights.“The players have such desire and drive, and they’ve been thinking about and talking about the tournament for weeks. We’re just trying to get our heads straight for the big opening game against the APBs today,” Hughes said.Pool B features second-seeded HSBC Penguins, Tradition YCAC, A-Trade Overseas Old Boys and Playmore’s Devils-Own Wanderers.Third seeds ULR Samurai headline Pool C and will play against Tag Heuer Eyewear Pyrenees of France, Freshfields Wild Titans of Germany and hosts Newedge Club.

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Silverbacks begin Hong Kong 10s campaign