Argentina have joined France and Italy as victims of the pneumonia outbreak and pulled out of the 2003 Credit Suisse First Boston Hong Kong Sevens. But organisers were breathing a huge sigh of relief after top teams Fiji and New Zealand arrived late last night for the tournament which starts on Friday.
The International Rugby Board had found replacements for France and Italy - Namibia and Tonga - who withdrew last week. But the decision by last year's Cup quarter-finalists Argentina to cop out on Sunday night has created another vacancy.
'We are waiting for the IRB to find another replacement. We can't go with a 23-team tournament. But the good news is that all the other teams are confirmed and have either arrived or are on their way,' said Allan Payne, Hong Kong Rugby Football Union, executive director.
Hong Kong has been the centre of a global outbreak of a virulent form of pneumonia. Ten people have died and more than 260 people, including Hospital Authority chief Dr William Ho, have been struck down by pneumonia.
Meanwhile the Cable and Wireless Women's Rugby Sevens also suffered a pull-out with Japan withdrawing from the 14-team tournament which begins on Thursday at So Kon Po. Organisers are likely to replace Japan with an Asian Barbarians team.
The other international event, the DHL 10s, will go ahead without any hitches. All 24 teams have confirmed their participation for the two-day event which begins tomorrow at the Hong Kong Football Club. 'We have not had any problems like the other events. All the overseas teams have confirmed their participation,' said Hong Kong Tens spokesman Chris Helm.
