Stars align for Rugby Legends Tackle Cancer match at GFI HKFC 10s

Famous names from the sevens and 15s game line up for exhibition match to raise money for Hong Kong Cancer Fund

Hong Kong; March 14, 2019: New Zealand’s DJ Forbes and England’s Ben Gollings, two of the greatest sevens players of all time, have joined Australia’s David Campese among star names confirmed for the Rugby Legends Tackle Cancer charity match at the GFI HKFC 10s on April 4.

The exhibition match will help raise money for the Hong Kong Cancer Fund, the official charity of this year’s GFI HKFC 10s. Founded in 1986, the GFI HKFC 10s is the world’s leading 10-a-side rugby tournament and is held annually at Hong Kong Football Club on the Wednesday and Thursday ahead of the Hong Kong Sevens.

Forbes, 36, was a long-time All Blacks Sevens captain who six World Rugby Sevens Series titles, and the all-action forward still tops the table for most matches played (447) on the global circuit. Gollings, 38, is the Sevens Series’ all-time leading points scorer (2,652) and, like Forbes, won the Hong Kong Sevens on multiple occasions.

Fiji back Sam Viriviri, the 2014 World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year, and Tom Varndell, the former Leicester and Wasps wing who played England Sevens and 15s, will also play in the charity match while in Hong Kong as marquee players for the South China Tigers team competing in the Grand Rapid Rugby Showcase Series.

The legendary Campese, a Rugby World Cup winner and the third-highest test try scorer of all time, has also committed to lacing up his boots along with fellow Wallaby Justin Harrison, the 6ft 7in lock who helped Australia reach the 2003 Rugby World Cup final.

Former England flyhalf Andy Goode and 6ft 8in Jim Hamilton, who won 63 caps for Scotland, will captain the teams, while former England Sevens captain Rob Vickerman and Rugby World Cup winning-fullback Terry Wright of New Zealand are also among players confirmed.

The match will be a 10-a-side touch contest, with each team mixing current and former rugby stars with amateurs, and will kick off at 3:50pm, ahead of the two Cup semi-finals. Money will be raised by sponsorship, participation and on-site donations.

Gareth Wilde, Chairman of the tournament’s Organising Committee, said: “The GFI HKFC 10s has always featured great players and many legends watching in the stands because of its place in Hong Kong’s rugby week.

“We had been thinking of creative ways to raise money for our official charity, the Hong Kong Cancer Fund, and the idea of an exhibition match proved very popular with the players we approached. So far, I’m very happy with the quality of players who have confirmed and we expect to announce a few more, as they all seem happy to help such a great cause.”

Sally Lo, founder and Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Cancer Fund, is delighted the organisation’s partnership with the GFI HKFC 10s is helping raise awareness of the charity, which is the city’s largest cancer support organisation, providing free information and professional support to anyone living with or affected by cancer.

“It is always great to have so many high-profile players supporting your cause, especially when it’s during Hong Kong’s world-famous rugby week,” said Sally. “The Rugby Legends Tackle Cancer charity match will be a great success, and we look forward to working with the tournament to help raise as much awareness and money as possible.”

For participation and sponsor enquiries, email: Ryan Matthysen [[email protected]]

34th GFI HKFC 10s: Teams by seeding/pool (with selected highlights)

• (A) Biarritz Gavekal (Cup winners 2017, 2018)
• (B) Tradition YCAC (Cup runners-up 2014, 2015, 2018)
• (C) Grove Penguins (Cup winners 2013, 2016)
• (D) Mourant Fiji Army (Debut 2019)
• (D) Samurai International (Cup runners-up 2010, 2013, 2016)
• (C) Asia Pacific Dragons (Cup winners 2012, 2014, 2015)
• (B) A-Trade Overseas Old Boys (Plate winners 2016; Plate runners-up 2018)
• (A) Kir Club Pyrenees (Cup semis 2009; Plate winners 2017)
• (A) Projecx Waterboys (Plate semis 2016, 2017, 2018)
• (B) Taikoo Place Scottish Exiles (Cup semis 2015; Bowl winners 2018)
• (C) Classic Wallabies (Bowl semis 2017, 2018)
• (D) Hunter and Boo East Africans (Bowl runners-up 2018)
• (D) Tiger Rugby (Bowl semis 2018)
• (C) Natixis HKFC (Shield Winners 2012, 2016, 2018)
• (B) Irish Vikings (Bowl runners-up 2009, 2017; Shield winners 2010, 2013)
• (A) Shanghai RFC Silver Dragons (Shield winners 2017)

GFI HKFC 10s tickets are on sale at: www.ticketflap.com/gfihkfc10s2019

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