words James Marsh

It’s March, it’s the Sevens and two Hong Kong-born players appearing regularly for Scotland are here for the fun.

Rugby Union has enjoyed a healthy life in Hong Kong. Introduced by the British, it has been fully embraced by the city and now Hong Kong rugby appears on the map globally, in large part thanks to its internationally renowned Sevens tournaments. Over the years Hong Kong has produced a number of players who have enjoyed fruitful careers at international level. While the Hong Kong side clearly gives players an opportunity to play at an international standard, if a home nation should call on its expatriates, it’s hard for players to resist the temptation to play in the topmost tier.

Scotland in particular has wooed a number of would-be Hong Kong internationals and, with the promise of Six Nations and World Cup fixtures year on year, who can blame them for responding? Two players – flanker John Barclay and centre Graeme Morrison – currently enjoying first-team action for Scotland and playing for Glasgow Warriors at club level were born in Hong Kong. While Barclay’s family moved to Malaysia when he was still a young lad, Morrison’s parents, both born and raised in Hong Kong, still live here.

‘I was always interested in rugby,’ says Morrison, ‘as my dad (Kenneth Morrison) played for Scotland at B level. That and growing up in Hong Kong and going to the Sevens every year gave me a desire to get involved.’ Barclay also confesses to the powerful allure of Hong Kong’s world-famous tournament. ‘I actually first picked up a rugby ball at Stanley Fort and went to the Sevens many times. I’ve even returned for the Sevens a couple of times since moving away. You can’t forget the party spirit of the fans,’ he says.

Morrison is quick to add, ‘I know a number of Scottish lads who have played in the tournament and they all regard it as the best on the circuit. Playing for the Hong Kong team in the HK Sevens must be an awesome experience, and that’s something I’d have loved to do.’

Both Morrison and Barclay first honed their rugby skills at the historical Dollar Academy in Clackmannanshire, Scotland. Although not at the same time, both played for the school’s 1st XV, with Barclay captaining the side to victory at the Bell Lawrie White Scottish Schools Cup final at Murrayfield
in 2004.

Morrison signed with Glasgow Warriors in 2003 and earned his first Scotland cap against Australia in 2004. ‘As soon as I was exposed to rugby properly at Dollar Academy, it became my ambition to play rugby professionally, and eventually for Scotland,’ he concedes. But does he regret his decision of choosing Scotland over HK?

‘With absolutely no disrespect to the Hong Kong rugby community, I am happy that I play for Scotland,’ he replies. ‘The matches and competitions that Scotland gets to play in are on a far bigger stage of the world rugby spectrum and that is where I want to be. Hearing Flower of Scotland sung at Murrayfield on match day is an emotional experience for players and fans alike. Two verses are sung, but the pipers only play the first verse, so the second is voices only. It has an awesome sound to it.’

For Barclay, however, the decision to become a professional player was never so clean cut. ‘I honestly never thought I’d ever be good enough to play at professional level. I played at school and for Scotland U18s and always thought I’d just play club rugby while I was studying. I was planning on a law degree, but was offered an apprentice contract by Glasgow towards the end of my school career. I wasn’t completely sure I wanted to do law, so I took the apprenticeship instead and went full-time.’

That was in the summer of 2004 and Barclay was still only 17. Later that year he was included in the extended Scotland squad for the autumn tests, before he’d even made his Glasgow debut. Barclay won his first international cap in the 2007 World Cup match against New Zealand at Murrayfield, and to date has played for his country 10 times at the highest level.

It being obvious that both players have set their hearts on being Scottish internationals rather than Hong Kong representatives, and both now country-tied, IRB regulations will prevent them from ever moving over. Morrison in particular is quick to champion the current state of Scottish rugby.

‘The professional teams in Scotland are definitely on the up,’ he declares. ‘This year, Glasgow turned Toulouse in their own back yard, as well as both Scottish teams finishing 4th and 5th in the Magners League last year. The national team is as exciting as it has been for a while and, although some of the results have not gone our way this season, it is just a matter of time before this group of players clicks and puts one of the great teams away.’
Speaking of the ‘great teams’, I ask the lads who they considered to be the best side in the world, and both agree the All Blacks are almost unbeatable at the moment. ‘New Zealand’s Grand Slam of the Home Nations and France was completed at a canter,’ admits Morrison. ‘They keep the scoreboard ticking over all game, leaving their opponents well beaten without seeming to break a sweat.’

Barclay concurs. ‘Year-in year-out they produce the best team. They have a knack of always taking their chances, which I think separates them from other sides.’ ‘It’s hard to say how to beat them,’ Morrison continues, ‘as they are just as dangerous without the ball as they are with it!’

When asked for their predictions for this year’s Sevens, however, they are less certain. ‘New Zealand will be favourites I would imagine,’ says Barclay, ‘but you can never rule out the likes of Fiji, England, South Africa or Argentina.’ Morrison seems to have been studying the form a little more carefully and gives a more considered response. ‘Having seen some of the games so far this year, it is quite hard to say. New Zealand have dropped off, as have Fiji. England seems to do well in Hong Kong, but I’ll say South Africa. They have such speed in their side that, on a good day, they are very hard to stop.’

Both Graeme Morrison and John Barclay will be in Hong Kong for the 2009 Sevens tournament rooting for Scotland, but hopefully remembering to give a cheer or two for our lads as well.

The Best Hong Kong Sevens Team that never played...

We asked HKRFU Community Rugby Manager Robbie McRobbie to choose the greatest Hong Kong Sevens team we never had. Here is his pick…
‘The first two names on the team sheet are easy: Graeme Morrison and John Barclay, both born in Hong Kong and Scottish internationals. I’d play John at prop, with Graeme in the pivotal stand-off position. Joining John in the forward pack would be his fellow Scottish international Jim Hamilton and England Sevens international Phil Dowson; Big Jim, who is quarter-Chinese and whose grandmother and mother both hailed from Hong Kong, is 6ft 8in and 19 stone so would be a major asset at kick-offs and line-out time, while Dowson (Hong Kong mother) is normally a No 8 but would be the hooker in my side.
‘At scrum-half is Hong Kong-raised Australian Sevens international Tim Atkinson, and completing the side are my two “fliers” – Tom Williams of England and Eric Liddell of Scotland. Tom is Hong Kong-born and has been a prolific try scorer for the England Sevens team over the past few years. Eric’s eligibility is a bit of an issue, as he was actually born in China rather than Hong Kong, but I couldn’t resist the opportunity to include a man who not only played international rugby, but also won the gold medal for the 400 yards at the 1924 Olympics!
‘So there’s my side – four Scots, two English and an Australian international, all with Hong Kong links. Choosing a captain would be tough – all these players are outstanding leaders, and Phil Dowson has captained the England Saxons. But I’m going for Tim Atkinson who has led the Australian Sevens team on many occasions and, as he’s my lone Aussie, it should avoid any arguments between the Jocks and the English!
‘For coach, I’d have Stephen Chow, the man who brought us Shaolin Soccer – hopefully he could teach my team a few special moves to surprise the opposition! For manager it would be Long Hair. As he seems to know a good source for fresh fruit, he’d be able to get the lads bananas for before the match and oranges for half time.

Graeme Morrison (26, Back) – Born in Hong Kong, Scottish international

John Barclay (22, Forward) – Born in Hong Kong, Scottish international

Jim Hamilton (26, Forward) – Grandmother from Hong Kong, Scottish international

Tom Williams (25, Back) – Raised in Hong Kong, England Sevens international

Phil Dowson (27, Forward) – Mother from Hong Kong, England Sevens international

Tim Atkinson (31, Back) – Raised in Hong Kong, Australian Sevens international

Eric Liddell (1902-1945, Back) – Born in China (one country, two systems, right?), Scottish international and Olympic 400-yard gold medalist, 1924 Paris Olympics