Teams from nations as far away as Samoa, Spain and South Africa have gathered for one of Asia’s biggest sporting events, which Hong Kong’s bigwigs hope could result in normalcy being on its way to the city.
Hong Kong has been languishing since early 2020 with heavy Covid restrictions, some of which are still in place.
Spectators will have to wear a mask and provide a negative Covid test to enter, and foreign visitors, usually a large portion of the crowd, are usually kept away through regulations governing newcomers’ access to public places for the first 3 days.
But Hong Kong enthusiasts were in top form, many rocking giant mugs of beer, filling about three-fifths of the stadium.
Most have been unmasked, despite the more productive efforts of security guards who stir up symptoms and tell others to get up.
“There is a huge crowd, an experience,” said Talaiasi Toma, a 32-year-old Samoan living in Hong Kong, dressed in the colors of the Pacific nation.
“I’m super excited to be here,” said his friend Sone Loleni, draped in the national flag. “I saw it on TV. I didn’t (never) expect to be here in the park. “
As their team entered the field, to a forged victory over New Zealand, the pair yelled, shouted and waved their flag as the largest Fijian contingent joined them.
Among the costumed spectators, a feature of the Seven, were Mario impersonators.
In the east tier of the stadium, an organization of South Africans wore green wigs and tutus paired with rainbow leggings.
“To be honest, I’m going to boycott it, because of all the silly rules,” said one, who gave only her first name, Nunki, and said “28 forever. “
“But my daughter was so excited that I would do this for her. Despite my apprehensions, I enjoyed it. “
Another member of the organization said he kept his plastic cup full of alcohol near his mouth all day, and that eating and drinking was one of the only times when the mask was strictly necessary.
As they talked, the Hong Kong team roamed the field, heading for an incredible fit with the series’ protective champions, Australia.
The home crowd made noise with the hosts when they lost 43-0, shouting “Hong Kong!”throughout the game and booing each and every Australian touch.
“I’m very pleased with the atmosphere,” said Robbie McRobbie, chief executive of the Hong Kong Rugby Union (HKRU).
“People seem to be laughing and having a good time. That’s what we’re here for. “
“We see ourselves as one of the milestones on the road to normalcy. I am convinced that we are going in that direction. “
One guest was unimpressed by the speed of Hong Kong’s reopening. The South African tourist Renier du Plessis.
Arriving in the city a particular day early for the tournament, and ignoring Covid rules, he banned entering the stadium.
“We didn’t know you had to be here for 3 days before we could enter a park,” said the 38-year-old businessman and Springboks fan, who last visited the tournament in 2019 and had already bought his tickets.
“In South Africa, we don’t wear masks anymore. We don’t even know how to do immediate testing. One of the local girls showed us how to do it,” he told reporters in the stadium lobby, before revealing it’s not his. First rejection of the day.
“We were turned away this morning at Disney World. Es disappointing that we can’t do anything,” he said.
“Where am I destined to be for the next 3 days?You can only walk in the department store for so long, it will become boring. “
McRobbie said HKRU was aware of nine of the setbacks for newcomers and would speak to affected customers, but added that Hong Kong’s Covid regulations were “no secret”.