bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

sponsorType

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Sam Agars

Hong Kong must go through Japan if they are to make the final of the second round of the Asia Rugby Sevens Series in South Korea after losing to the hosts on what coach Paul John labelled a frustrating day.
After easy wins over the Philippines (36-0) and Malaysia (28-5), Hong Kong started poorly against South Korea and trailed 24-5 at half-time before losing 31-24.
It means they finished second in pool B and don’t have the luxury of avoiding their Asian nemesis until the final, like they did in Hong Kong before going down to Japan 19-12 in the decider.
“It was frustrating in parts, we weren’t as good as we were in Hong Kong and as a result we struggled a little bit,” John said.
“But it’s a different day [Sunday] and a challenge and we proved last time when we pushed Japan how close we are to them.”

Hong Kong must first defeat Sri Lanka in the quarter-finals and John is hoping his side can improve their work from the kick-off.
“We won a lot more of our kick-offs in Hong Kong. Korea had a very good start against us, to be 24-5 down at half-time, I thought the boys played really well after that and showed a bit of fight,” John said.
“It’s just a matter of getting that attitude right from the start of games and I think we will be very difficult to beat.
“Sri Lanka have got two very quick boys on either side, they score a lot of tries and they have conceded quite a few points as well. It’s a matter of us getting possession and using it.”
Toby Fenn and Seb Brien impressed on day one, with Brien running in three tries and Fenn two.
Anna Richards’ women are similarly placed to John’s side after winning two of three on day one, going down to China 22-0 in their last game after comfortable victories over South Korea (38-0) and Sri Lanka (28-0).

They face a tough match-up against Thailand in the quarters and Richards is expecting a hard-working and well drilled opponent.
“They have got a Japanese coach and he has got them coming up pretty hot on defence and really attacking the ruck,” she said.
Paul John eager to see Hong Kong youngsters perform on the road as Asian sevens series heads to South Korea
“I thought we started well today, we had a couple of good games. We had good speed on attack and I thought our defence was pretty good in those first two games.
“We wanted to take it into the last game, we knew China were going to be tough but we struggled in the first half to get out of our 22. I thought our second half was a lot better, there is a lot of plusses from today.”
Chong Ka-yan was at her speedy best for Hong Kong, finding the try line three times for the day.


Hong Kong absorbing Asian Series hammer blow before National Games medal assault

Hong Kong aim to ‘get one up on China’, as city rugby sevens teams gun for Asian joy

Hong Kong to roll out rugby sevens big guns in quest for National Games gold

Hong Kong teams take first steps towards world stage with vital Asian series wins

Asia Rugby Sevens Series

Semi-final clash with Japan looms after frustrating day for Hong Kong in Asian sevens series

Michael Coverdale feels the heat on the opening day of round two of the Asia Rugby Sevens Series. Photo: HKRU

Natasha Olson-Thorne fends off an opponent during the first round of the Asian Women's Rugby Sevens Series.

Hong Kong Women's Sevens Team Head Coach Anna Richards at the team announcements presser at King's Park Sports Ground in Ho Man Tin. 01APR16 SCMP/Jonathan Wong

Sport

Rugby

HK Sevens

Paul John’s side don’t have the luxury of avoiding their Asian nemesis until the final after 31-24 loss to hosts South Korea


Semi-final clash with Japan looms after frustrating day for Hong Kong in Asian sevens series

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Paul John’s side don’t have the luxury of avoiding their Asian nemesis until the final after 31-24 loss to hosts South Korea

Paul John’s side don’t have the luxury of avoiding their Asian nemesis until the final after 31-24 loss to hosts South Korea