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Tight-head prop James Cooper (right) gets the starting nod for Hong Kong's Asia Rugby Championship match against South Korea. Photos: SCMP Pictures/HKRFU

Pressure on new-look front row to deliver against South Korea

Challenging task for Hong Kong coach Andy Hall heading into Asia Rugby Championship opener

The heat will be on Hong Kong's forwards, especially a relatively inexperienced front row, to deliver in their opening encounter of the Asia Rugby Championship against South Korea at Hong Kong Football Club on Saturday.

Head coach Andy Hall has identified their opponents' front row as one of the main dangers in the revamped competition, which, although shrunk from five to three sides - perennial winners Japan being the other team - offers a challenging task due to its home-and-away format.

I know front-rowers are big by definition, but the Koreans are big for front-rowers and these guys are paramount to Korea’s attacking shape
Hong Kong head coach Andy Hall

"They have a big and physical front row. I know front-rowers are big by definition, but the Koreans are big for front-rowers and these guys are paramount to Korea's attacking shape as well," Hall said. "They really look to get them involved, so we are going to need to snuff that out.

"Across the team they are quick and powerful. They have a good combination at nine and 10 with the fly-half an exceptional goal-kicker, which means we need to be extremely disciplined, particularly in loose play. Any penalties we concede pretty much up to 50 metres away are very likely to be three points for them."

Hall has chosen to start with John Aikman (loose-head prop), Lachlan Chubb (hooker) and James Cooper (tight-head) in the front row. Although admitting that this selection might come as a bit of a surprise to some, he has based it on current form shown at training.

Lachlan Chubb packs down as hooker in a new-look front row for Hong Kong.
"They may not be the first three most punters would have expected with some real experienced campaigners in Alex Harris and Leon Wei Hon-sum on the bench, but Aikman and Chubb have trained really well," Hall said. "We have now got competition for spots in the front row and we can use that training period as a legitimate opportunity to judge.

"Yes, the guys are a bit new and it will be a real test for them. The question is can they establish a platform for us? Both [Aikman and Chubb] have high work-rates around the park, almost comparable to back-row players, and that was another element they brought to the selection table."

Loose-head prop John Aikman, seen shaking hands with HKRFU chairman Pieter Schats, has a high work rate round the park.
Hong Kong will be hoping to use Harris and Wei as impact players. The latter has a nose for scoring tries and will be doubly motivated coming off the bench, according to Hall.

"Alex [Harris] and Leon [Wei] are both pretty upset about starting off the bench, so that adds motivation. We now have legitimately six or seven front-rowers pushing for starting spots, which is something we haven't had in Hong Kong for a long while. We will need all of them in this home-and-away competition."

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Pressure on new-look front row against Korea
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