https://www.scmp.com/rss/312170/feed Hong Kong’s senior domestic competition is organised by the Hong Kong Rugby Union and features the city’s top six clubs – DeA Tigers, Hong Kong Scottish, HKCC, HKFC, Kowloon and Valley. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Hong Kong Football Club ended the season much as they started it, with both major trophies in their possession after a thrilling 26-24 win over Valley in the men’s premiership final. But the league champions made hard work of their triumph, letting a 23-10 lead slip away at King’s Park on Saturday, before a Niall Rowark penalty with little more than 10 minutes to go put them back in front for good. Valley’s women did at least ensure that Football Club did not sweep up all the silverware on offer... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3214190/hong-kong-football-club-seal-double-narrow-win-over-valley-rfc-mens-premiership-final?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3214190/hong-kong-football-club-seal-double-narrow-win-over-valley-rfc-mens-premiership-final?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Mar 2023 11:38:34 +0000 After Hong Kong Football Club and Sandy Bay made clear statements of intent with comfortable wins on the opening day of the Premiership season, HK Scottish and Kowloon were involved in a slightly scrappier encounter on Saturday. The low-scoring affair, which Kowloon won 11-5, was ultimately decided by a James Piercy try three minutes from time. The fact it came after HK Scottish wing Eliesa Kaleca Rauca dropped the ball inside his own 22 when facing empty space out wide largely summed up the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/mens-hkru-premiership/article/3194583/hong-kong-rugby-premiership-kowloon-see-scottish?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/mens-hkru-premiership/article/3194583/hong-kong-rugby-premiership-kowloon-see-scottish?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 02 Oct 2022 12:00:12 +0000 Hong Kong rugby officials hope a new deal with their counterparts in Canada will lead to some of the city’s best young players gaining experience in Major League Rugby. The partnership has already paid dividends for Sandy Bay, who have signed Adrian Wadden from Toronto Arrows for the new Dettol Men’s Premiership season. Wadden, a second row, becomes the club’s 10th signing ahead of the new league campaign, which starts on October 1. “The hope is that many more players will follow in Wadden’s... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3190853/sandy-bay-lands-toronto-arrows-second-row-adrian?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3190853/sandy-bay-lands-toronto-arrows-second-row-adrian?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 01 Sep 2022 00:15:24 +0000 Hong Kong Football Club have named New Zealander Logan Asplin as their new rugby head coach. The defending Dettol Men’s Premiership champions had been seeking a replacement for Jack Wiggins, who left the club in January to join MLR side San Diego Legion as an assistant coach. Asplin, who has 10 years of elite coaching experience under his belt having worked with the likes of Waikato Rugby Union and Kubota Spears in Japan, takes over with immediate effect and has some big shoes to fill. Under... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/3179065/hong-kong-football-club-name-new-zealander-logan-asplin-rugby-head?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/3179065/hong-kong-football-club-name-new-zealander-logan-asplin-rugby-head?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 May 2022 04:52:58 +0000 Having taken Hong Kong Football Club to yet another premiership title this season, coach Jack Wiggins is leaving for a new challenge in the US with Major League Rugby side San Diego Legion. Wiggins has been made assistant coach at the franchise, and handed responsibility for the team’s defence as well as the club’s academy. With the season starting next month, he is expected to leave Hong Kong as soon as possible. In San Diego, the former Wasps coach will be reunited with head coach Danny Lee,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/mens-hkru-premiership/article/3164109/hong-kong-football-club-coach-jack-wiggins-join?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/mens-hkru-premiership/article/3164109/hong-kong-football-club-coach-jack-wiggins-join?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 21 Jan 2022 00:15:12 +0000 Hong Kong Football Club sealed their third Dettol Men’s Premiership title in a row on Thursday night with a thumping 49-13 win over Kowloon. Centre Ben Smith and prop Jamie Ross scored two tries apiece, and there were further scores from Charles Higson-Smith and Glyn Hughes, while 19 points from the boot of Niall Rowark put an exclamation mark on another dominating performance in a seson full of them. For their part, Kowloon were always second best, and although they were briefly in front early... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/mens-hkru-premiership/article/3159994/hong-kong-football-club-claim-third-straight?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/mens-hkru-premiership/article/3159994/hong-kong-football-club-claim-third-straight?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Dec 2021 15:13:39 +0000 Gai Wu Falcons pulled out a “vintage performance” to beat Natixis HKFC Ice 24-13 and book their place in the Grand championship play-offs. Befitting a battle for the last remaining spot among the top four of the Dettol Women’s Premiership, Saturday’s match was tense. Gai Wu had a phenomenal start, putting HKFC under pressure with a try from Cathy Wong, set up by a great carry from Jasmine Fung in traffic beneath the Club posts. Christy Cheng was inspirational after coming on as an injury reserve... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/womens-hkru-premiership/article/3159361/gai-wu-falcons-vintage-performance-caps?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/womens-hkru-premiership/article/3159361/gai-wu-falcons-vintage-performance-caps?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Dec 2021 15:16:55 +0000 A moment of inspiration from Kroll USRC Tigers’ scrum-half Liam Slatem in the dying seconds of a pulsating encounter at King’s Park was enough to give his side a narrow 15-13 win over DAC Kowloon on Friday night. The Hong Kong captain’s quick thinking from a penalty inside his own half caused chaos in the Kowloon defence, and when they infringed for a second time Jake Myers slotted over the penalty sealing an impressive comeback. Victory moved Tigers temporarily into third in the Dettol Men’s... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3159313/hong-kong-rugby-tigers-go-third-after-late-win-over-kowloon?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3159313/hong-kong-rugby-tigers-go-third-after-late-win-over-kowloon?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Dec 2021 03:34:45 +0000 As the Dettol Premiership approaches the business end of the season the battle to finish in the top four and qualify for the grand championship looks likely to go down to the wire. While Hong Kong Football Club’s 11-point lead at the top suggests at least one place is decided, the other five clubs are separated by the same amount in a season where unexpected results seem to be the norm rather than the exception. Not even Football Club have been immune, having lost to second-placed side Kowloon,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/mens-hkru-premiership/article/3158336/hkru-premiership-clubs-jostle-position-sprint?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/mens-hkru-premiership/article/3158336/hkru-premiership-clubs-jostle-position-sprint?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Dec 2021 09:00:18 +0000 Benjamin Smith ran in a hat-trick, Charles Higson-Smith bagged two tries of his own, and Hong Kong Football Club cruised to a comfortable 52-10 win over a severely depleted DAC Kowloon at King’s Park on Saturday. A game that started with just a point separating the two sides at the top of the Dettol Hong Kong Premiership finished with Football Club pulling further ahead after an eight-try mauling, and while Societe Generale Valley kept their title hopes alive with a 21-13 win over Kroll USRC... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3155969/hkru-premiership-smith-hat-trick-highlight-football-club-stamp?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3155969/hkru-premiership-smith-hat-trick-highlight-football-club-stamp?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 13 Nov 2021 12:30:42 +0000 DAC Kowloon’s chances were not exactly written off at the start of the Dettol Hong Kong Men’s Premiership, but there are few who would have predicted just how far the club has come. Six games into the season and just a single point separates them from leaders Natixis Hong Kong Football Club at the top of the table, ahead of Saturday’s clash between the two sides at King’s Park. That their women’s team are enjoying a successful time on the pitch might also have once been considered surprising,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3155840/feel-good-factor-helps-drive-dac-kowloon-rugby-forward-mens-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3155840/feel-good-factor-helps-drive-dac-kowloon-rugby-forward-mens-and?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 12 Nov 2021 07:52:04 +0000 Natixis HKFC and Societe Generale Valley’s men’s and women’s HKRU Premiership teams served up a fine afternoon of action in the Stadium Showdown at Hong Kong Stadium on Saturday. With 2,755 fans packing the lower bowl to watch the day’s action, top-ranked Valley women’s team did not disappoint as they beat Natixis HKFC Ice 25-5, while HKFC’s men’s XV fought back from a 17-3 second-half deficit to win 20-17 with a try in the 78th minute from Callum Hardie. The treats came early for the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/3154327/hkru-premiership-sides-share-spoils-frenetic-stadium-showdown?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/3154327/hkru-premiership-sides-share-spoils-frenetic-stadium-showdown?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 31 Oct 2021 03:54:16 +0000 Head coach Jack Wiggins expects a dogfight when his Natixis HKFC side face their fiercest rivals Societe Generale Valley in this weekend’s Dettol Premiership Stadium Showdown. The two clubs ‘ rivalry goes back nearly 50 years, making the historic Hong Kong Stadium a fitting venue for the latest instalment, which kicks off at 6.40pm on Saturday night in So Kon Po. “I’ve been here three years and we have not had any fifteens in the Stadium. I understand that playing fifteens there is rare, so it... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/mens-hkru-premiership/article/3154157/hkfc-expecting-dogfight-against-fiercest-rivals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/mens-hkru-premiership/article/3154157/hkfc-expecting-dogfight-against-fiercest-rivals?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 29 Oct 2021 07:32:11 +0000 It’s tied 14-14 with seconds to go. The Hong Kong men’s rugby sevens team are on their own try-line against World Rugby Sevens Series core team Ireland. Liam Herbert, who starred throughout the double-header Vancouver and Edmonton Sevens tournaments, wriggles away from a couple of Irish tackles, then offloads the ball to teammate Max Denmark, who palms off Jordan Conroy – Ireland’s record try-scorer – before sending it back to Herbert to score the unlikeliest of overtime winners. “We would... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3153883/how-hong-kong-rugby-sevens-star-liam-herbert-went-age-grade?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hk-sevens/article/3153883/how-hong-kong-rugby-sevens-star-liam-herbert-went-age-grade?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 27 Oct 2021 10:02:12 +0000 It was a heavyweight slog-fest in the Dettol Hong Kong men’s Premiership round five as Societe Generale Valley held off ImpactHK HKU Sandy Bay 16-7 at a scorching Happy Valley on Saturday. The mid-table tie got off to a high-energy start with Valley’s notorious front pack shining and set-piece pressure counting against an stubborn HKU Sandy Bay defence. An early penalty broke the deadlock for Valley, who looked comfortable with scrum-half Ruan du Plooy back in position, before dependable forward... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3152640/hkru-premiership-valley-hold-surging-sandy-bay-valley-black?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3152640/hkru-premiership-valley-hold-surging-sandy-bay-valley-black?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 17 Oct 2021 05:39:20 +0000 After Typhoon Lionrock put paid to the fourth round of fixtures, the Dettol Hong Kong Men’s Premiership welcomes a scintillating fifth game week that sees Societe Generale Valley host ImpactHK HKU Sandy Bay in a mid-table banger at Happy Valley Stadium on Saturday. Head coach Mark Fatialofa’s Valley side will look to put in an improved performance after their disappointing 29-20 outing against Kroll USRC Tigers. Their form has been patchy, with defeat also coming against reigning champions... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/3152517/hong-kong-rugby-premiership-hku-sandy-bay-relish-valley-test?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/3152517/hong-kong-rugby-premiership-hku-sandy-bay-relish-valley-test?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 15 Oct 2021 10:23:44 +0000 After suffering their first loss of the season last week, reigning champions Natixis Hong Kong Football Club will be desperate to get their title defence campaign back on track against KPMG Hong Kong Scottish in round four of the men’s rugby Premiership on Saturday – providing the weather allows. Coach Jack Wiggins’ side were shocked by in-form DAC Kowloon 26-17 last week, dropping to third. But they have the home advantage against Scottish, who are still searching for a win after narrowly... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3151614/hong-kong-mens-and-womens-rugby-premiership-round-four-preview-we?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3151614/hong-kong-mens-and-womens-rugby-premiership-round-four-preview-we?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 08 Oct 2021 07:00:19 +0000 Kroll USRC Tigers dug deep in their 29-20 win over Societe Generale Valley in round four of the Dettol Men’s Premiership on Saturday – losing key prop Jack Parfitt, who sustained a serious-looking injury, and two players picking up yellow cards. Tigers hooker Matt Keay set the tempo with an early try at a sizzling King’s Park. Fly-half Joshua Henderson soon added a penalty to his earlier conversion in what was a magical display from the Hong Kong-eligible Scotsman. Valley, who were expected to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3151023/hkru-premiership-tigers-overcome-injuries-and-sin-bins-beat-valley?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3151023/hkru-premiership-tigers-overcome-injuries-and-sin-bins-beat-valley?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 03 Oct 2021 04:24:36 +0000 It’s just two weeks into the new season and Hong Kong rugby fans have already been treated to big upsets, close calls and plenty of thumping tackles. The Dettol Men’s Premiership appears as wide-open as it ever has been, with new-look Kroll USRC Tigers hoping to bounce back against Societe Generale Valley in King’s Park on Saturday after an agonising loss the previous gameweek. New head coach and director of rugby Lewis Evans showed he is quickly overcoming the “culture shock” having arrived... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3150727/hkru-premiership-tigers-look-bounce-back-against-valley-after?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3150727/hkru-premiership-tigers-look-bounce-back-against-valley-after?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 01 Oct 2021 00:00:21 +0000 Newly appointed Kroll USRC Tigers director of rugby and men’s team head coach Lewis Evans enjoyed a glittering playing career with Dragons, appearing 236 times for the Welsh giants before announcing his retirement in the off-season. The former Dragons captain and Wales fifteens and sevens representative’s playing career drew to a close due to a combination of injuries and the Covid-19 pandemic-impacted competition in the UK. He is now in charge of taming a different beast in the Tigers some... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3150715/hkru-premiership-tigers-new-director-rugby-lewis-evans-outlines?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3150715/hkru-premiership-tigers-new-director-rugby-lewis-evans-outlines?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 30 Sep 2021 09:00:17 +0000 Societe Generale Valley bounced back from an season-opening loss to overwhelm KPMG Hong Kong Scottish 24-12 in round two of the Dettol Men’s Premiership on Saturday. It was Scottish who drew first blood in a sweltering Shek Kip Mei after full-back Sean Taylor scored thanks to a good passing combination with scrum-half Thomas Wilson on the break. But it did not take long for Valley’s fill-in fly-half Mitchell Purvis to get their first points on the board with a penalty goal. Valley were soon... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3150158/hkru-premiership-round-bounce-backs-and-big-shifts-valley?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3150158/hkru-premiership-round-bounce-backs-and-big-shifts-valley?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Sep 2021 06:54:17 +0000 With the Dettol Men’s Premiership well under way, round two promises another rust-shaking outing with a particularly tasty match-up between new-look sides KPMG Hong Kong Scottish and Societe Generale Valley in Shek Kip Mei on Saturday. Both have yet to kick into full gear, as Scottish suffered an end-to-end 30-22 loss to Kroll USRC Tigers in their opening game. Valley fell to arch-rivals Natixis HKFC 29-14, with head coach Mark Fatialofa returning to his squad having missed most of their... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3149893/mens-and-womens-rugby-premiership-round-two-preview-season-will-be?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3149893/mens-and-womens-rugby-premiership-round-two-preview-season-will-be?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Sep 2021 04:00:24 +0000 DAC Kowloon opened the Dettol Women’s Premiership season with a statement 55-0 win over SCAA First Pacific Causeway Bay Phoenix at King’s Park on Saturday. Ahead of the match, Kowloon were eager to put their new signings on display, especially their trio of imported players from New Zealand in 21-year old fly-half Montana Heslop, 22-year old prop Braxton Walker and 23-year old No 8, Shaye Whareaorere. The three initially arrived late last year, just as the season was shutting down due to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/3149316/hkru-womens-premiership-dac-kowloon-open-new-season-thumping?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/3149316/hkru-womens-premiership-dac-kowloon-open-new-season-thumping?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 19 Sep 2021 07:24:47 +0000 DAC Kowloon men beat ImpactHK HKU Sandy Bay 18-12 to get their Dettol Men’s Premiership season off to a flying start at a baking hot King’s Park on Saturday. In the afternoon heat, the first 20 minutes of the season were a grind for both teams. Each team spent long stretches of the opening quarter in the other’s half, but both defences held strong early on, as timing and first game miscues prevented either side from drawing blood. DAC Kowloon shook off the off-season rust first, conjuring a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/3149308/hkru-mens-premiership-kowloon-down-sandy-bay-new-campaign-gets?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/3149308/hkru-mens-premiership-kowloon-down-sandy-bay-new-campaign-gets?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 19 Sep 2021 05:21:28 +0000 The Dettol Hong Kong Women’s Premiership 2021-22 season kicks off on September 18 after another stop-start campaign last season. Players and coaches are naturally raring to go as organisers and fans hope for a smooth transition as the city works its way to normality. In what was their first non-intra-club games for many months, the teams shook off some rust at the Valley’s Fast, Femme and Furious preseason event last month – enhanced hygiene protocols and all. Those who tuned into the Hong Kong... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3149166/hkru-womens-premiership-2021-22-season-preview-coaches-and-captains?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3149166/hkru-womens-premiership-2021-22-season-preview-coaches-and-captains?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Sep 2021 09:17:55 +0000 The Dettol Hong Kong Men’s Premiership 2021-22 season kicks off on September 18 after more than a year and a half without consistent competition. Players and coaches are desperate to dust off the cobwebs and open with a bang in what looks to be the league’s most competitive iteration to date. All six teams spent the extended off-season building squad depth, with several replacing outgoing head coaches and captains. Most underwent sloppy but crucial friendly hit-outs in the preseason, though fans... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3149102/hkru-mens-premiership-2021-22-season-preview-coaches-and-captains?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3149102/hkru-mens-premiership-2021-22-season-preview-coaches-and-captains?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Sep 2021 04:52:10 +0000 Hong Kong men’s 15s rugby interim coach Craig Hammond will be leaving the set-up just two months after the Hong Kong Rugby Union (HKRU) appointed him. The Hong Kong Scottish coach-turned-director of rugby is set to become head coach of Nottingham in the English Championship, where he is considered a club legend from his playing days. “When the offer came, it was gut-wrenching because both [the HKRU and Nottingham] are incredibly meaningful to me,” said Hammond, who spent 11 seasons at... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3136106/hong-kong-rugby-mens-15s-interim-coach-craig-hammond-return-home?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3136106/hong-kong-rugby-mens-15s-interim-coach-craig-hammond-return-home?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 04 Jun 2021 10:10:07 +0000 Two new coaches hired by Hong Kong Rugby Union Premiership clubs have showcased the local scene’s willingness to push through the pandemic amid tough times for the sport in the city. Kowloon’s Joe Barker, who will take over running the men’s team as a player-coach when the Premiership gets under way in September, said when considering the job earlier this year, Covid-19 wasn’t part of the process. “In all honesty, none of that went through my mind,” Barker said. “This is my passion, this is what... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/3133660/hong-kong-rugby-pushes-back-against-pandemic-amid-new-normal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/3133660/hong-kong-rugby-pushes-back-against-pandemic-amid-new-normal?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 16 May 2021 05:06:10 +0000 Former Hong Kong men’s rugby coach Andrew Hall is leaving the Hong Kong Rugby Union to take up the director of rugby role at Uppingham School in the UK in August. The newly appointed HKRU interim general manager of rugby performance played crucial roles in the club and national scene, notably co-founding and managing the full-time Elite Rugby Programme (ERP) set-up as the head of men’s performance and development. Though the ERP is scheduled to end in June, Hall returns home after helping bring... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/mens-hkru-premiership/article/3132353/former-hong-kong-rugby-union-mens-head-coach?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/mens-hkru-premiership/article/3132353/former-hong-kong-rugby-union-mens-head-coach?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 05 May 2021 09:21:37 +0000 All of Hong Kong’s rugby leagues are scheduled to resume in April despite the recent Ursus Fitness Covid-19 cluster scare, Hong Kong Rugby Union chief Robbie McRobbie said. Rugby activity was suspended last Thursday after one player tested positive while members of two clubs were forced to undergo government quarantine. As of Tuesday, there have been no further confirmed cases nor additional quarantine related to the rugby community. “The gym community – both instructors and users – are pretty... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3125692/hong-kong-rugby-union-leagues-resume-april-after-covid-19-gym-scare?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3125692/hong-kong-rugby-union-leagues-resume-april-after-covid-19-gym-scare?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 17 Mar 2021 00:00:24 +0000 Multiple members of Hong Kong’s sports community have been impacted by the ever-increasing Ursus Fitness Covid-19 cluster, with at least three infected and dozens more to be transported to government quarantine facilities, including an entire under-12s girl’s team from an unnamed club. One Hong Kong Football Club men’s rugby player who frequented the Sai Ying Pun gym tested preliminary positive while around 45 individuals from the Club are expecting a call from the Centre for Health Protection... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3125375/ursus-fitness-hong-kong-rugby-netball-and-hockey-teams-quarantine?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3125375/ursus-fitness-hong-kong-rugby-netball-and-hockey-teams-quarantine?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 14 Mar 2021 04:45:57 +0000 A rather unusual WhatsApp message appeared on the Valley RFC group that has sparked an epic adventure. The club’s 1st XV captain Rob Lennox wrote: “I’m really keen to row the Atlantic, anyone fancy it?”. Within fifteen minutes, he had his team of four. Grant Kemp, Martin Muller, Lennox and Matthew Bell, all 32 and 33 years old, are embarking on the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge (TWAC), a 5,000km rowing race from the Canary Islands to Antigua, as team East Rows West. They will row in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/extreme-sports/article/3125046/rowing-atlantic-completely-insane-adventure-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/extreme-sports/article/3125046/rowing-atlantic-completely-insane-adventure-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 12 Mar 2021 00:00:19 +0000 News of the indefinite postponement of the 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup came as no surprise but still hit Team Hong Kong hard, coach Royce Chan Leong-sze said. Organisers tasked with safely hosting the New Zealand event, originally slated for September, cited the still-unpredictable Covid-19 pandemic as the reason for pushing it to an unknown date in 2022. Hong Kong’s Asia Rugby Championship matches against Kazakhstan and Japan – which act as World Cup qualifiers – are likewise on hold given... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3124737/womens-rugby-world-cup-hong-kong-coach-assesses-national-team-amid?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3124737/womens-rugby-world-cup-hong-kong-coach-assesses-national-team-amid?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 09 Mar 2021 11:35:12 +0000 Former Hong Kong men’s national team coach Leigh Jones is leaving the Hong Kong Rugby Union to become Leicester Tigers’ new general manager of rugby in May, both parties announced Tuesday evening. Jones – who concludes his capacity as general manager of rugby performance at the Union having also previously spearheaded the now-axed professional Elite Rugby Programme – said the prospect of managing in England’s top Premiership division was simply too enticing. “From a personal perspective, the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3123722/hong-kong-rugby-union-leigh-jones-set-leicester-tigers-general?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3123722/hong-kong-rugby-union-leigh-jones-set-leicester-tigers-general?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 02 Mar 2021 11:20:14 +0000 The Hong Kong Rugby Union’s decision to cut its Elite Rugby Programme (ERP) is not the biggest surprise given the Covid-19 pandemic’s toll on the moneymaking HSBC/Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sevens – but it is nonetheless a devastating blow to the men’s national 15s rugby set-up, said some of its last batch of professional athletes. Once respective contracts run out on June 30, all players and staff will revert to semi-professional models familiar to the pre-2016 rugby scene. This means no more... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3118644/axing-hong-kong-rugby-union-elite-rugby-programme-sinks-reality?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3118644/axing-hong-kong-rugby-union-elite-rugby-programme-sinks-reality?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 22 Jan 2021 04:00:15 +0000 The decision by the Hong Kong Rugby Union to axe its Elite Rugby Programme – the full-time men’s 15-a-side national team set-up – comes as no surprise. The HKRU is in a financial bind as its monstrous cash cow, the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, was cancelled in 2020 and the 2021 edition has been postponed until November. There is no guarantee that it will be staged then, even with a vaccine now starting to be administered around the world. The HKRU has long relied on the Sevens to fill... https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/3118328/hong-kong-governments-straitjacket-sport-and-recreation-suffocating-entire?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/3118328/hong-kong-governments-straitjacket-sport-and-recreation-suffocating-entire?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 20 Jan 2021 02:32:25 +0000 The Hong Kong Rugby Union will terminate its Elite Rugby Programme (ERP) – the full-time men’s 15-a-side national team set-up – after current player and staff contracts run out at the end of June. The decision to revert to its previous semi-professional model was a reluctant but necessary one given Covid-19 and its resultant financial and logistical impact, the Union said. This means 30 athletes, four part-time “junior ERP players” and five staff members, will not be renewed on a full-time basis... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3118164/hong-kong-rugby-union-axes-professional-mens-15s-elite-programme?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3118164/hong-kong-rugby-union-axes-professional-mens-15s-elite-programme?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 Jan 2021 07:10:26 +0000 Hong Kong rugby chief Patrick Donovan’s tenure has been unprecedentedly arduous. Elected as chairman of the Union in the summer of 2019, he was immediately thrust into helping navigate the sport through citywide demonstrations – but that was only a prelude to what was to come. “This year has certainly been interesting. I reflect back on a term that was disrupted initially by the protests, then by the global Covid-19 pandemic. The Union has faced challenges unlike any other in our 50-year... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3116196/protests-and-pandemic-hong-kong-rugby-boss-patrick-donovan-keeps?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3116196/protests-and-pandemic-hong-kong-rugby-boss-patrick-donovan-keeps?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 02 Jan 2021 11:05:11 +0000 It’s fair to say 2020 was a disappointing year for sport in Hong Kong. But we’ve dwelled on that quite enough. As 2020 turns into 2021, we’re instead looking ahead in optimism at what the coming year is expected to bring to the city. Here’s what we know as far as a schedule for sporting events in 2021: AFC Champions League Kitchee’s Premier League title win last season means they will join the AFC Champions League in the group stage next season. The date of the draw is still TBD, but... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3115906/when-hong-kong-sevens-provisional-hong-kong-sports-calendar-2021?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3115906/when-hong-kong-sevens-provisional-hong-kong-sports-calendar-2021?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 31 Dec 2020 07:00:08 +0000 The Hong Kong domestic men’s and women’s rugby leagues will be postponed until further notice after further tightening of government Covid-19 restrictions, organisers have confirmed. As of December 2, in tandem with the city’s new social distancing restrictions for outdoor team sports, the Hong Kong Rugby Union “will suspend all rugby and touch rugby activities at all levels … until such time as the restrictions are relaxed and the pitches reopen”. The subsequent temporary closure of Leisure and... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3112206/all-hong-kong-rugby-activity-suspended-until-further-notice?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3112206/all-hong-kong-rugby-activity-suspended-until-further-notice?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 02 Dec 2020 03:27:34 +0000 Test of league leaders’ character: completed. Round four of the Hong Kong men’s and women’s Premiership reiterated that championship ability to pull wins out of the bag even on an off-day. The city remains on high-alert given new Covid-19 cases but the domestic rugby league will soldier on with its strict health protocols. Now more than a third into the shortened season, the Saxo Markets Men’s Premiership and KPMG Women’s Premiership standings are beginning to firm up while coaches use the first... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3111947/hong-kong-premiership-week-four-round-champions-being-champions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3111947/hong-kong-premiership-week-four-round-champions-being-champions?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 30 Nov 2020 09:37:15 +0000 Natixis Hong Kong Football Club left it to the last play of the game to retain their season unbeaten streak against a hungry Societe Generale Valley on Saturday. Fly-half Glyn Hughes scored a last-gasp drop goal to edge Valley 16-14 in what was rightly-labelled the Saxo Markets Men‘s Premiership round four must-watch match. It was the first time the pair have met since last season’s feisty Grand Championship final, with visiting Valley desperate to make amends having lost last time around.... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3111769/hong-kong-mens-premiership-clutch-football-club-beat-valley-thanks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3111769/hong-kong-mens-premiership-clutch-football-club-beat-valley-thanks?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Nov 2020 10:50:52 +0000 Hong Kong Rugby Premiership fans have already been treated to chaotic starts and major upsets – yet we are barely a third into the Covid-19-shortened 2020-21 season. As the city continues to tighten up amid increased case numbers, coaches and players will likewise want to put in disciplined performances and avoid the “silly” mistakes from previous rounds. Simply put, round four is a test of team character. The fixtures have pitted titans-versus-titans in both first divisions. In the Saxo Markets... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3111571/hong-kong-premiership-round-four-preview-big-one-we-have-been?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3111571/hong-kong-premiership-round-four-preview-big-one-we-have-been?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Nov 2020 02:00:21 +0000 More than half of Hong Kong’s rugby players are Chinese but there is still much work to do in the women’s game, which constitutes just 28 per cent of players, says the Hong Kong Rugby Union. Findings from its “Rugby Participation in Hong Kong” survey – conducted primarily by partners KPMG on 12,514 members of the rugby community – concluded that 54 per cent of its playing population is Chinese and the average player lives in the New Territories and plays for “health, fitness and friendship”. The... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3111420/hong-kong-rugby-union-survey-reveals-promising-ethnic-chinese?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3111420/hong-kong-rugby-union-survey-reveals-promising-ethnic-chinese?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Nov 2020 06:00:15 +0000 It was a memorable week for the underdogs as both the Hong Kong men’s and women’s Premierships saw dramatic comebacks and the ending of losing skids. As the city continues its fight against Covid-19, mask wearing and social distancing protocols remained mandatory in week three. Following two rounds of feeling out and gauging this year’s league standard, the Saxo Markets Men’s Premiership and KPMG Women’s Premiership are now expected to press on – there is simply no time for excuses in this... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3110999/hong-kong-premiership-round-three-round-goodbye-losing-skids-hello?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3110999/hong-kong-premiership-round-three-round-goodbye-losing-skids-hello?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Nov 2020 07:56:09 +0000 King’s Park erupted in relief and jubilation after Borrelli Walsh USRC Tigers earned their first league win of this and last season against Herbert Smith Free Hills HKU Sandy Bay on Saturday. A resilient Tigers were trailing their opponents for the better of their Saxo Markets Men’s Premiership round three fixture but managed to secure a 16-13 win thanks to a late try from towering substitute Craig Lodge. HKU Sandy Bay had set the tempo after a strong start saw an early try from 2018-19 season... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/mens-hkru-premiership/article/3110825/hong-kong-mens-premiership-tigers-seal-first?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/mens-hkru-premiership/article/3110825/hong-kong-mens-premiership-tigers-seal-first?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 21 Nov 2020 11:00:17 +0000 Hong Kong domestic rugby is roaring back. As players increasingly familiarise themselves with new surroundings and coaches ease last-minute recruits into their line-ups, the 2020-21 season is ready to show more than just glimpses of a never-before-seen standard of rugby in the city. Having sized up a couple of opponents by now, round three promises deeper understanding of team tactics and chemistry can become cold-blooded ruthlessness on the field on Saturday. Those who want to extend leads have... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3110515/hong-kong-premiership-week-three-preview-those-points-are-going-be?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3110515/hong-kong-premiership-week-three-preview-those-points-are-going-be?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 Nov 2020 08:05:07 +0000 There was a brief window this year when Hong Kong rugby was one of the world’s only operating rugby leagues. There is plenty of action now what with the makeshift Autumn Nations Cup ongoing and the recently concluded Bledisloe Cup, but question marks remain over the resumption of the major European club leagues. As the Covid-19 pandemic continues its perilous international tour of disruption, some players opted to prioritise game-time above all, with several heading to the Far East. The likes of... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/mens-hkru-premiership/article/3110179/hong-kong-domestic-rugby-scene-its-best-after?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/mens-hkru-premiership/article/3110179/hong-kong-domestic-rugby-scene-its-best-after?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 17 Nov 2020 09:00:23 +0000 With the city still cautiously handling its dozen-or-so daily new coronavirus cases, Hong Kong men’s and women’s Premiership organisers continued to ensure players and staff strictly adhered to Covid-19 protocol going into round two. That by no means affected the level of rugby however, as teams were desperate to secure early success in their postponed and stunted seasons. After fiery openers to the Saxo Markets Men’s Premiership and KPMG Women’s Premiership 2020-21 seasons two weeks ago, this... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3110138/horror-starts-and-major-upsets-hong-kong-mens-and-womens?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3110138/horror-starts-and-major-upsets-hong-kong-mens-and-womens?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 17 Nov 2020 04:00:24 +0000 The DAC Kowloon coaching staff’s notebooks were full despite the team edging Bloomberg Hong Kong Scottish 17-10 in a thrilling encounter to open round two of the Saxo Markets Men’s Premiership on Saturday. Two early tries from flanker Philip Whitfield set the tone for Kowloon – throughout a blustering afternoon at home ground King’s Park – as they earned their first win of the 2020-21 season. A solid defensive display also played a decisive role in securing a win, but it was far too conservative... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3109871/hong-kong-mens-premiership-kowloon-beat-hong-kong-scottish?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3109871/hong-kong-mens-premiership-kowloon-beat-hong-kong-scottish?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 14 Nov 2020 10:53:32 +0000