That China is the world's fastest-growing market has become axiomatic precisely because it applies to everything, even rugby. At last month's ANZ Challenge Cup, hosted by the Shanghai Rugby Football Club, rugby in China moved closer towards realizing that potential. The Chinese Rugby Union won the match hands down (20 - 7), avenging last year's narrow loss to the international side. The crowd, however, was in no doubt about who would win last month's match. "Team China will win, of course," said Sports Institute student, Peter, 22, citing their speed, strength and flexibility.

The Cup's roots lie in the SRFC's first attempt to increase rugby awareness, a 1998 showcase between two Australian teams. Over eight hectic years, the O'Malley's Hairy Crabs have made excellent progress recruiting Chinese players. "About 40% of the players are Chinese," exclaims Hairy Crabs Member Steven. Michael Cripps, a veteran rugby player, said that rugby's growth has been hindered by many factors. "In China, a sport has to be nominated by the government," he says, "and rugby is in the category of 'other ball sports' so it doesn't get the public attention." Hence the focus on the IOC's July meeting in Singapore is so important. "China is concentrating on Olympic sports," Michael notes, "but if the IOC decide on rugby, then..." The hope in his voice finishes the sentence.

The ANZ Challenge Cup, meanwhile, fills the gaps. In the second warm-up match the BHP Billiton Sports Institute Chinese University handily defeats the O'Malley's side, a telling sign. Rugby's real strength in China, the Blue Scope Steel Kids program, is demonstrated between matches. With roughly one hundred members under 12, half local, it's proof of rugby's expanding appeal. After their turn on the pitch, Nick, Lucas, Daniel and Hugo explained that they love rugby and spend every Saturday at the SRFC. When asked about choosing rugby, Lucas responded "I saw on TV that it's a good sport, big people tackling each other, and I said 'why not?"

The ANZ Challenge Cup is also a successful charity event, with the proceeds, roughly ?20,000, being donated to Half the Sky Foundation, which sponsors orphans and nannies throughout China, and the Nui Jian Appeal, on behalf of a Chinese National rugby player with Leukemia.

You can buy rugby shirts, jerseys, balls and polos from Decathlon or the Shanghai Rugby Football Club. To find more about joining a team log onto the website www.shanghaifootballclub.com or contact james@shanghaifootball.club. For sports equipment contact Decathlon, 393 Yin Xiao Rd, Pu Dong, ph: 5045 3888.