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What the world of rugby says
about the Rwandan Silverbacks

“The Rwandan boys have got some excellent athletes and lovely skills. We didn’t go full out, obviously, but they’ve got some quick players, no doubt about it. We had a game of touch with them and they showed that if they get some space, not many players are going to catch them.”

Willie Los’e, coach, New Zealand Aliens

“Rugby is still a young game in Rwanda so this visit is about opening up our minds to the rugby world. We have much to learn and it is going to be very interesting and rewarding for us. We are very proud to be here and we know it is not just about the rugby, it is about being good ambassadors for our country.”

Gerald Nsenga, coach, Rwanda Silverbacks

“These young men are good athletes and have picked up the fundamentals of coaching well. Importantly, they'll be taking these skills and experience back to Rwanda to help grow the game there. Both from the perspective of the sport and in a more personal and social sense this is important. Rugby will give the youth of Rwanda a means of expressing themselves and a way of putting the past behind them. For me, that is what rugby is all about.”

John Kirwan, national coach, Japan

“The Rwandans have been fantastic. Their core skills were excellent, they were very comfortable with the ball in hand and they were quick. They still need to work on the technical side, at the rucks and mauls, but that is to be expected. The way they have performed over the course of the day has been very impressive.”

John Bentley, Former England and Lions winger

“It’s a fantastic story how the Rwandans came to be playing in Hong Kong, I love it. I was astounded by their pace and skill levels, they have obviously taken to rugby in a big way. We’ve all seen what the Kenyans have achieved at sevens and there is a similar potential with these guys.”

Bob Skinstad, 2007 Rugby World Cup winner, South Africa

“This visit to Hong Kong has been unbelievable, a fantastic rugby experience and an incredible life experience for all the players. We had a great time playing, we received some top-level coaching and we’re going back with coaching certificates so that we can teach youngsters the basics of the game and build the future of Rwandan rugby.”

Djuma-Adams Mugabo, captain, Rwanda Silverbacks

“After its well documented problems in the Nineties, Rwanda is now one of the safest and most stable countries in Africa and it was fantastic to see all these enthusiastic and talented players coming together to enjoy the rivalry and camaraderie of the best team game in the world. They’re not as big as the players we have in Scotland but they’re quick, with good hands, and would hold their own somewhere in the middle of our national leagues. At the end of the week there was a sevens festival in our honour. It was fascinating watching the commitment, enthusiasm and no little skill of all the players on what was a difficult playing surface.”

Frank Hadden, former Scotland coach

“It’s been a pleasure to see the smiles on the faces of these young Rwandan players and it’s immensely satisfying to know that the rugby community here in Hong Kong can join together to make a difference.”

Anson Bailey, chairman, Altus Kowloon RFC

“The response from the Hong Kong rugby community has, once again, been amazing. We ended up with about 20 giant canvas bags full of clothing and equipment – about twice as much as last year.”

Ruth Mitchell, director of development, HKRFU

“The 2011 visit to Hong Kong has been another important step in the development of Rwandan rugby. These tours are all about raising the profile of the sport in Rwanda, putting in place building blocks for its continued expansion and giving the players an unforgettable rugby and life experience.”

Dave Hughes, Rwanda volunteer worker and tour organiser