HK refuse to be intimidated by Japan
Hong Kong, back to full strength, remain unfazed as they come up against an imposing Japan outfit who are intent on wrapping up the inaugural HSBC Asian Five Nations title this Sunday.
Despite the cricket-score hammerings meted out to the Arabian Gulf (114-6) and Kazakhstan (82-6), Hong Kong head coach John Walters still believes his side have a chance of stopping the Japanese juggernaut in their tracks in Niigata.
'We are not too concerned with what they have done against other teams. If we focus on anything else you can trip yourself up. Our aim is to approach the game totally confident in ourselves and our game plan,' Walters said.
Since a stuttering 39-17 victory over South Korea in their opening game, the John Kirwan-coached Japan have coasted to easy wins and are outright favourites to finish their campaign with another win on Sunday. But Hong Kong, who are also unbeaten, are determined to push them all the way, and Walters is confident of a good showing.
He said: 'It will be a big game. We are looking forward to it and we will go out believing we can win. We have got a big, fast and physical side. Anything can happen in 80 minutes of rugby.'
Hong Kong will be boosted by the return of both their captain and vice-captain, No 8 Semi Iafeta and centre Colin Bisley, respectively, from injury.
The return of Iafeta at No 8 will see Simon Leung relegated to the bench while Bisley replaces Gavin Hadley who has returned to university. The other change in the starting line-up will be in the second row with Nick Hurrell replacing Ivan Zenovic.
Winger/fullback Alex McQueen may also get the opportunity to win his first cap for Hong Kong as he starts on the bench alongside scrum-half Mark Wright. 'Alex has come on from the under-20s,' said Walters. 'He is studying in Brisbane but is an Asian Games qualified player like his younger brother Tom [who was in the Hong Kong sevens squad]. This will be a good opportunity for him.'
