Defending champions Fortis New Zealand Metro put on an awesome display of try scoring power as they stormed into the Cup quarter-finals of the 2008 GFI HKFC Tens on Wednesday (March 26).
The top seeds comfortably won all three of their pool matches on the first day of the two-day tournament at Hong Kong Football Club.
Metro, who are going for their third title in a row, overwhelmed China Agricultural University 101-0, Hill & Associates Hong Kong Barbarians 39-0 and Yorkshire Windows International Panthers 68-0 to top Pool A.
¡§It was difficult to judge anything from the first game but it was a lot more physical against the Barbarians and that gave us a bit more structure to play to,¡¨ said Metro manager Barry Gallagher.
¡§The goal for our third game was to finish on a good note and we were happy to keep our line intact.
¡§We just have to take every game as it comes because there are plenty of good teams here. We just want to go out, play our game and let the guys enjoy their rugby.¡¨
The Hong Kong Barbarians, with Samoan Rugby World Cup legend Brian Lima in their ranks, still qualified for the Cup quarter-finals with wins over the Panthers (12-7) and China Agricultural University (28-0).
The second seeded Penguins ¡V the elite UK-based touring team ¡V were also hugely impressive, notching three wins to head the Pool B standings.
Penguins beat Multiplex Marauders from Dubai 83-0, Kukri Cardiff University 47-7 and Borneo Eagles 36-0.
¡§We¡¦ve picked up an injury in each of our three games ¡V one is definitely out and the other two are probably out, so it¡¦s been a hard day for injuries, but that¡¦s part of rugby,¡¨ said Penguins director of rugby Craig Brown.
¡§We always felt the last game against the Eagles was going to be our toughest and that¡¦s how it turned out.
¡§It was a very hard, physical game and it was awesome defence from our guys. A lot of our tries came from our defence because we were pinning them down, making them work hard and capitalising on mistakes.¡¨
Aliens, the third seeds from New Zealand, took time to find their form but still registered three wins to top Pool C.
But fourth seeds Davetalevu from Fiji ¡V Cup semi-finalists a year ago ¡V failed to reach the Cup rounds this time after losing twice in Pool D. HSBC New Zealand Legends won the pool with a 100 per cent record.
Sixteen teams from around the globe are taking part in the Tens ¡V the world¡¦s premier ten-a-side rugby tournament.
The tournament resumes at Hong Kong Football Club on Thursday (March 27) at 10:40am with the first of the Bowl quarter-finals.
Play continues throughout the day with the Cup final kicking off at 8:00pm.
Fans can gain entry by paying at the public entrance located next to the Hong Kong Jockey Club¡¦s headquarters in Sports Road. Cost of admission is HK$200.
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
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