HK beef up front row for clash against Sri Lanka
Hong Kong have strengthened their front row for tomorrow's clash against Sri Lanka in the HSBC Asian Five Nations Top Five competition in Colombo, with specialist tighthead prop Nigel Hobler recalled into the 22-strong tour party.
Hong Kong Football Club evergreen Hobler, who has been a mainstay for many seasons, has been called up as Hong Kong's brains trust - Dai Rees and Leigh Jones - expect Sri lanka to be a force to be reckoned with in the forwards.
'We know Sri Lanka have a good forward unit and being able to bring Nigel on tour is going to be important for us to counter that threat,' coach Rees said.
With hooker Brent Taylor sufficiently recovered from a shoulder injury picked up in the 23-10 victory to Kazakhstan in Almaty a fortnight ago Hong Kong will be at full strength in the front row, which will be a crucial area. Valley's Taylor will replace Alvin Chik in the travel party.
However, Hong Kong will be missing locks Oliver Jones and Charles French for the second successive week. French, who has failed to recover from an eye-socket injury, has yet to start this season. Jones played against Kazakhstan, but picked up a hand injury and missed last Saturday's 45-22 defeat to Japan.
In their absence, second-rower Michael Waller will retain his place. The pack will be boosted by the entry of sevens star Kwok Ka-chun, who will be making his first appearance in this year's tournament. Kwok has been able to get time off from his duties as a fireman and his presence was welcomed by Rees.
'It is great to have Kwok available from work commitments for the match. Kwok is an impact player when he comes on and we will need someone like him,' said Rees, indicating that Kwok was likely to start on the bench. Rees has not as yet decided on the starting line-up, but it is most likely that there could be a few changes to the pack that started against Japan. The backline is likely to be unchanged with Rees having the luxury of drawing on impact players such as scrumhalf Tim Alexander, flyhalf Jamie Hood and winger Alex McQueen.
With one win and one loss, Hong Kong will be aiming to consolidate their position in the standings with a good victory over top five newcomers Sri Lanka. But Rees is not taking anything for granted.
'Sri Lanka have had the luxury of a bye week, whereas we are approaching our fourth test match and fifth match - if we count the two matches in the Philippines - in the space of three weeks with four of those matches coming on the road. So physically and endurance-wise it will be a tough challenge for us,' Rees said.
'They love to move the ball and we have played them a lot at sevens level and know they are a skilful outfit. Their game is based on counter-attack and they want to play an expansive game and we are prepared for that. They deserve to be in the premiership and probably weren't allowed to play he kind of game they prefer in week one due to the conditions.'
Sri Lanka drew 13-13 with the United Arab Emirates in their opening encounter a fortnight ago. They were unlucky to walk away with only a draw after the referee refused to award them a try at the end.
HONG KONG SQUAD: Forwards: Andrew Li, Alex harris, Brent Taylor, Alex Ng Wai-shing, Nigel Hobler, Michael Waller, Renaud Chavanis, Terence Montgomery, Nick Hewson, Mark Goosen, Pale Tauti, Kwok Ka-chun. Backs: Peter McKee, Tim Alexander, Keith Robertson, Jamie Hood, Rowan Varty, Salom Yiu Kam-shing, Alex McQueen, Tom McColl (captain), Lee Jones, Ross Armour.
