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Alvin Sallay

Hong Kong prop Rob Grindlay has left Kowloon to join DeA, the territory's new First Division team, for the 1996-97 season.

   DeA have acquired the services of former Maori All Black captain Wiremu Maunsell, a centre, and 24-year-old No 8 from Buenos Aires Lisandro Pastor.

  They are also talking to a number of Hong Kong internationals.

  Grindlay, the find of last season, yesterday confirmed the move, which will not please the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union who last season tried to boost the fortunes of Kowloon by directing new players to them.

  'I fit into the plans of DeA. It is an opportunity to play for a young, developing club and I am very impressed by their professionalism,' said Grindlay.

  The tough-as-nails loose-head prop said he had signed a deal with DeA before the inaugural Pacific Rim Championship kicked off in May. However, he refused to divulge details of his one-year contract.

  'Everything was settled before Hong Kong went to Tokyo to play their first game in the Pacific Rim tournament,' said Grindlay.

   'I wanted to concentrate on my first appearance for Hong Kong.'   The former North Harbour prop starred in the Pacific Rim Championship and was instrumental in Hong Kong's third-place finish in the four-team competition. National coach George Simpkin stated that Hong Kong's new-found edge was mainly due to the presence of strongman Grindlay.

  DeA will benefit immensely with the 28-year-old Grindlay propping up the scrum. Kowloon in turn will rue the fact that they were not able to hold on to him.

  At the end of last season, the Union said they would not stand in the way of clubs paying their players. But they had hoped that players like Grindlay would stay faithful to their old clubs.

  'We tried to convince Grindlay to stay with Kowloon. But he has made up his mind to move,' said Pieter Schats, executive director of the HKRFU.

  'When I came to Hong Kong five months ago, I didn't have any say where I wanted to play. The Union told me to go and play for Kowloon and I did in their last game of the season,' said Grindlay.

  'I have made many friends in Kowloon and the move was not easy by any means,' he added.

  Chris Meads, the man who holds the purse strings at DeA, was upbeat over the acquisition of the new crop of players and said the side would be 'very competitive' next season.

  'I'm very pleased with Grindlay's decision to join us. He will be the pack leader,' said Meads, who is also set to play at lock forward for DeA.

  Meads added that the club was still speaking to a couple more players from overseas.

   'At the moment, only Maunsell and Pastor are confirmed. But we are talking to a couple more players,' he said.

  Maunsell, 28, has represented New Zealand B and Canterbury A. He also captained the Maori All Blacks in 1988-89.

   The 1.96-metre Argentinian Pastor has represented provincial team Buenos Aires at all levels.

  DeA, who will field a couple of up-and-coming Chinese players - mainly in the back division - are also speaking to a number of Hong Kong internationals. It is understood that a fly-half and a back-row forward are on their shopping list.

  'At the moment we have got enough players to field a very competitive side. Our aim in our first season in the First Division is to be competitive,' said Meads.

  DeA will be coached by Gary Cross.



Star Grindlay dumps Kowloon to prop up newcomers DeA