We are still the best part of a year out from the World Cup in Australia, yet two things already seem as certain as death and taxes: Hong Kong China, as we must call them even though the C-word is never used in relation to the Hong Kong Sevens, will not get within a long-haul flight’s distance of beating the Wallabies on opening night; and there will be a full-throated row about refereeing before the end of the pool stage.

In fact, the argument over officiating is underway as we speak, in the form of a phoney war.
Rassie Erasmus (as per usual), Dave Rennie, Steve Hansen, Ewen McKenzie, even S...