Defending champions Fortis New Zealand Metro will head an impressive line-up of international talent at next month’s GFI HKFC Tens.

The powerful Kiwis, who have been named top seeds, will be going for their third title in a row when the world’s premier ten-a-side rugby tournament is held at Hong Kong Football Club on March 26-27.

Last year’s beaten finalists, the Penguins, are back for another crack at the Cup and have been seeded No.2.

The losing semi-finalists from 2007, perennial Kiwi contenders Aliens and renowned Fijian side Davetalevu, are seeded No.3 and No.4 respectively.

Metro, winners of the Tens in 2003, 2006 and 2007, will be boosted by the presence of Tonga’s Rugby World Cup captain, Nili Latu, in their line-up.

“Nili led by example and was an inspiration to his players at last year’s Rugby World Cup, so we are delighted to have him in our team,” said Metro manager Barry Gallagher.

As well as loose forward Latu, Metro also expect to include players from New Zealand’s extended national sevens squad.

“We’re certainly looking forward to returning to Hong Kong for what promises to be another great Tens tournament,” added Gallagher.

“We expect the Penguins to be very strong along, as will our friends the Aliens, Davetalevu and the New Zealand Legends.

As always with this tournament, we don’t take any team lightly as we know anything can happen on the day.”

The tournament draw, held at Hong Kong Football Club, saw Metro joined in Pool A by Yorkshire Windows International Panthers, Hill and Associates Hong Kong Barbarians and China Agricultural University.

Penguins, the UK’s top touring side, made an impressive debut at last year’s Tens, knocking out 2004 and 2005 champions Aliens before losing a hard-fought final to Metro.

“We thoroughly enjoyed our debut at last year's Tens and we're looking forward to returning,” said Penguins director of rugby Craig Brown.

“Once again there is some formidable opposition but we aim to rise to the challenge in true Penguins tradition and hopefully we can go one better than we did 12 months ago.”

Penguins will be favourites in Pool B, which also includes 2007 Cup quarter-finalists Borneo Eagles, last year’s Plate runners-up Kukri Cardiff University and Multiplex Marauders from Dubai.

Marauders will be one of three teams making their Tens debuts, the others being French Pyrenees and the UK-based RuckU Spartans.

After 24 teams took part 12 months ago, this year's Tens will revert to the 16-team format last seen in 2006 with four trophies up for grabs – Cup, Plate, Bowl and Shield.

“The feedback from the public, sponsors and players was that they prefer the 16-team competition,” explained Tens organising committee chairman Paul Smith.

“It means that the teams are guaranteed more games and those games are of a higher standard, which is great for the tournament and good news for spectators.

“The Tens has gone from strength to strength in recent years and the line-up for this year's tournament is stronger than ever.

“We're anticipating some highly competitive games, both in the pool stage on day one and the knockout rounds on day two." Hong Kong Football Club’s own team, CBRE Club, will be defending the Bowl title they won 12 months ago.

The Tens was first held in 1986 to celebrate HKFC’s centenary and is now firmly established as a highlight of the Asian rugby calendar.

The tournament is once again title sponsored by global cash and derivatives broker GFI.

2008 GFI HKFC Tens draw (seedings in brackets):

Pool A: Fortis New Zealand Metro (1), Yorkshire Windows International Panthers, Hill and Associates Hong Kong Barbarians, China Agricultural University.

Pool B: Penguins (2), Borneo Eagles, Kukri Cardiff University, Multiplex Marauders.

Pool C: Aliens (3), RuckU Spartans, French Pyrenees, CBRE Club.

Pool D: Davetalevu (4), New Zealand Legends, Irish Vikings, Overseas Old Boys.

ENDS

Released on behalf of the GFI HKFC Tens 2008 by Two Up Front.

For further information, please contact:

Niall Donnelly
Two Up Front
Tel: +852 2854 2136
Mob: +852 6502 3330
Fax: +852 3579 5955
Email: niall@tuf.com.hk