https://www.scmp.com/rss/316949/feed Organised by Asia Rugby (formerly ARFU), the Asia Rugby Championship replaced the A5N as the top tier of international rugby in the region and featured the Top Three men’s national teams playing a full home-and-away round-robin tournament. The Asia Women’s Rugby Championship also featured the best three national sides, but playing each other only once. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Hong Kong is famous for rugby because of the enduring appeal of the iconic Sevens tournament, which attracted more than 110,000 fans this year. But excitement is now being generated by the city’s performance in the more traditional 15-a-side game. Hong Kong has qualified for the men’s Rugby World Cup for the first time. It is a big achievement. Hong Kong produced an impressive display in the Asia Rugby Championship, winning all three matches comfortably. Qualification for the World Cup in 2027... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3317871/hong-kongs-hard-won-spot-rugby-world-cup-dream-come-true?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3317871/hong-kongs-hard-won-spot-rugby-world-cup-dream-come-true?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 12 Jul 2025 23:15:07 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball Three years ago, Tom Hill was contemplating a one-and-only shot at qualifying for a Rugby World Cup. In his 30s, the Australian-born centre considered the 2022 global repechage tournament in Dubai to be a singular chance to reach the pinnacle of his sport, having already committed five years to doing so. Days before the team flew to the Middle East, Hill told the Post he would not “get another shot in four years’ time – this is it”. “I think most [of the squad] are like that, some of the younger... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3317120/hong-kong-heros-emotional-journey-2027-rugby-world-cup?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3317120/hong-kong-heros-emotional-journey-2027-rugby-world-cup?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 07 Jul 2025 00:00:18 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball Hong Kong’s men made history in Incheon on Saturday, qualifying for the Rugby World Cup for the first time – now the real work begins. A 70-22 victory over South Korea sealed a sixth consecutive Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Championship title and booked a spot at the global tournament in Australia in 2027. Hong Kong will be only the second team from Asia to play in the World Cup after ever-present qualifiers Japan, who have already qualified for 2027 after finishing third in their pool at the 2023... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/international-rugby/article/3317105/hong-kong-have-finally-made-it-rugby-world-cup-now-real-work-begins?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/international-rugby/article/3317105/hong-kong-have-finally-made-it-rugby-world-cup-now-real-work-begins?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 06 Jul 2025 00:00:22 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball Hong Kong’s men made history in Incheon on Saturday, qualifying for the Rugby World Cup for the first time. A 70-22 victory over South Korea sealed a sixth consecutive Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Championship title and booked a spot at the global tournament in Australia in 2027. Three years ago, Hong Kong escaped with a narrow 23-21 victory, thanks to Gregor McNeish’s final kick of the game. This time, they had run in three tries midway through the first half and were 39 points clear at the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3317080/hong-kong-men-make-history-qualify-rugby-world-cup-first-time?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3317080/hong-kong-men-make-history-qualify-rugby-world-cup-first-time?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 05 Jul 2025 07:51:34 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball Hong Kong have come through a final training session in South Korea unscathed, and go into their final game of the Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Championship on Saturday at full strength. There is no hiding what is at stake. Win, and they qualify for the 2027 World Cup in Australia, and captain Josh Hrstich said it was something he had been dreaming about for a long time. The 35-year-old called the prospect of reaching the pinnacle of the sport “a dream come true” and said it was “really hard to put... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3316989/hong-kong-ready-finally-make-rugby-world-cup-dream-reality-says-skipper-josh-hrstich?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3316989/hong-kong-ready-finally-make-rugby-world-cup-dream-reality-says-skipper-josh-hrstich?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 04 Jul 2025 11:30:09 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball Hong Kong’s road to the 2027 Rugby World Cup is simple: win against South Korea on Saturday, and they are in. Three wins from three in the Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Championship will mean it’s job done. Lose, and that’s where it could get complicated, especially when you factor in bonus points, which are awarded for scoring four tries or for losing by less than seven points. South Korea, with seven points, go into the match only three behind Hong Kong. So, here are the potential scenarios if the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3316871/rugby-world-cup-2027-how-hong-kong-can-reach-tournament-win-lose-or-draw-south-korea?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3316871/rugby-world-cup-2027-how-hong-kong-can-reach-tournament-win-lose-or-draw-south-korea?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 04 Jul 2025 05:30:08 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball It is hard to ignore the prize that awaits the winner of Saturday’s final game of this year’s Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Championship, but that is just what Hong Kong head coach Andrew Douglas would like his team to do. Victory for either Hong Kong or South Korea on Saturday would most likely mean a place in the 2027 World Cup, and Douglas, who has tweaked his squad again for the most important game in the city’s history, wants his players to enjoy the moment. With families, friends and a healthy... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3316595/hong-kong-coach-eyes-complete-performance-he-tweaks-squad-rugby-world-cup-decider?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3316595/hong-kong-coach-eyes-complete-performance-he-tweaks-squad-rugby-world-cup-decider?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 02 Jul 2025 07:00:09 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball Having the opportunity to qualify for a Rugby World Cup is not a new scenario for Hong Kong’s men – being this close to the promised land is. Saturday’s equation is frighteningly simple: beat South Korea in the final round of the Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Championship and they will be part of the 2027 tournament in Australia. It would be the first time the city’s men had ever reached such heights, after the women did so in 2017. Given Hong Kong’s utter domination of the competition since 2018,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3316521/hong-kong-vow-grab-rugby-world-cup-spot-and-avoid-repechage-roller-coaster?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3316521/hong-kong-vow-grab-rugby-world-cup-spot-and-avoid-repechage-roller-coaster?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 01 Jul 2025 10:30:08 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball Hong Kong’s men are one win from qualifying for a World Cup for the first time, after a comfortable 78-7 victory over Sri Lanka at Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground on Sunday. A dominant forward display was more than enough to overcome some sloppy mistakes against a team returning to the Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Championship for the first time in more than a decade. Luke van der Smit’s hat-trick of tries from No 8 and his man-of-the-match award rather summed up a game that was largely over from the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/international-rugby/article/3315393/hong-kong-one-win-rugby-world-cup-spot-after-rout-sri-lanka?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/international-rugby/article/3315393/hong-kong-one-win-rugby-world-cup-spot-after-rout-sri-lanka?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Jun 2025 10:35:33 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball Sri Lanka captain Tharinda Ratwatte said his side were coming to “make some noise” ahead of their Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Championship clash with Hong Kong on Sunday. Back in the top tier of the competition after more than a decade, the Tuskers are considered significant underdogs for the game at Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground against a Hong Kong side who are unbeaten in the championship since 2018. But after hammering Malaysia 59-19 in a promotion play-off, and running South Korea close in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/international-rugby/article/3315343/sri-lanka-ready-make-some-noise-asia-rugby-clash-hong-kong-ratwatte-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/international-rugby/article/3315343/sri-lanka-ready-make-some-noise-asia-rugby-clash-hong-kong-ratwatte-says?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Jun 2025 00:00:14 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball Hong Kong have made six changes to their side for Sunday’s Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Championship clash against Sri Lanka, with most in the pack, as head coach Andrew Douglas looks for some “bang”. While there are a couple of enforced switches, with prop Keelan Chapman and wing Max Denmark both carrying knocks, Douglas also has an opportunity to take a look at some players in a game at Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground that Hong Kong are expected to win. With that in mind, Alessandro Nardoni, named... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3315193/hong-kong-make-6-changes-asia-rugby-championship-clash-sri-lanka?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3315193/hong-kong-make-6-changes-asia-rugby-championship-clash-sri-lanka?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Jun 2025 07:00:32 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball Hong Kong will make changes to the squad that beat the United Arab Emirates so convincingly last weekend in their opening Asia Rugby Championship match – despite not knowing much about Sunday’s next opponents, Sri Lanka. While not “changing for the sake of changing”, head coach Andrew Douglas said the likes of No 8 Luke van der Smit could return to the match-day 23, as his side take an approach with “a bit more bang” than they employed in the 43-10 win in Dubai. Flanker Pierce MacKinlay-West,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3314970/asia-rugby-championship-hong-kong-seek-more-bang-kai-tak-clash-sri-lanka?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3314970/asia-rugby-championship-hong-kong-seek-more-bang-kai-tak-clash-sri-lanka?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 Jun 2025 00:30:12 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball Frustration is not the overriding emotion you would normally expect on the back of a convincing 43-10 win, but then Hong Kong men’s head coach Andrew Douglas has exacting standards. The Kiwi watched his side ultimately cruise past the United Arab Emirates in their opening Asia Rugby Championship fixture at the Sevens Stadium in Dubai on Saturday, but was not exactly thrilled with how they put together a six-try performance. He had a point. A sloppy opening 10 minutes, which might generously have... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3314483/asia-rugby-championship-douglas-frustrated-hong-kongs-winning-start-world-cup-bid?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3314483/asia-rugby-championship-douglas-frustrated-hong-kongs-winning-start-world-cup-bid?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 14 Jun 2025 23:00:09 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball A lot has happened since Max Denmark last pulled on a 15s jersey for Hong Kong in 2018. An ever-present in the city’s sevens side, Denmark has accumulated Asian Games gold medals, regional dominance and some painful near misses in the bid to get the men’s team to the highest level. Throughout it all there have been tries – lots and lots of tries. There were three alone in a 31-7 rout of China during the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens in March. The 25-year-old also has two from eight previous Test... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3314388/max-denmark-aims-transfer-his-hong-kong-sevens-x-factor-citys-15s-world-cup-quest?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3314388/max-denmark-aims-transfer-his-hong-kong-sevens-x-factor-citys-15s-world-cup-quest?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 14 Jun 2025 01:30:11 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball Hong Kong have named a much-changed squad for their first Asia Rugby Championship game in Dubai this weekend, with Andrew Douglas calling it his “most challenging squad selection” as head coach. With the city’s sevens players making themselves available for the tilt at a fifth consecutive title, which this year comes with a place in the 2027 World Cup, Douglas’ team is unrecognisable from the one that beat the United Arab Emirates 52-5 in last year’s competition. There are 12 changes from that... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3313978/hong-kong-rugby-coach-overhauls-squad-world-cup-qualifying-push?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3313978/hong-kong-rugby-coach-overhauls-squad-world-cup-qualifying-push?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 11 Jun 2025 07:45:50 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball In any normal year, Hong Kong’s men could be forgiven a certain level of arrogance going into next month’s Asia Rugby Championship. Unbeaten since Japan left a competition they had outgrown by the end of 2017, Hong Kong won last year’s tournament at a canter, scoring 189 points and conceding just 18 while sweeping aside the United Arab Emirates, South Korea and Malaysia. The closest they came to losing in the intervening years was away to the Koreans in 2022, when only a last-minute Gregor... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3311737/bigger-faster-stronger-hong-kong-prepare-shot-reaching-rugby-world-cup?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3311737/bigger-faster-stronger-hong-kong-prepare-shot-reaching-rugby-world-cup?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 26 May 2025 00:00:12 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Head coach Lewis Wilson said Hong Kong were backing themselves to upset heavy favourites Japan in an Asia Rugby Women’s Championship decider on Sunday, after the city team overcame dogged Kazakhstan 29-12 in steamy Fukuoka on Tuesday. Tanya Dhar, Kea Herewini and Shanna Forrest all crossed to give Hong Kong a 17-0 half-time advantage. Player-of-the-match Forrest said: “Kazakhstan are a very physical team, but I think we executed well in certain areas and that helped us win the game.” The... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/3311094/hong-kong-beat-kazakhstan-set-asia-rugby-womens-championship-decider-japan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/3311094/hong-kong-beat-kazakhstan-set-asia-rugby-womens-championship-decider-japan?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 20 May 2025 10:33:16 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Hong Kong’s match against Sri Lanka in the Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Championship next month is to be held at Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground, the city’s union has confirmed. The fixture at Kai Tak Sports Park’s secondary stadium will take place on Sunday June 22 as Hong Kong look to defend their title in the four-team round-robin tournament, having won the past five editions. The team will play two away fixtures either side of it, with the first against the United Arab Emirates on June 13 and the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/3310892/hong-kongs-high-stakes-june-rugby-match-take-place-kai-tak-sports-park?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/3310892/hong-kongs-high-stakes-june-rugby-match-take-place-kai-tak-sports-park?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 19 May 2025 10:45:08 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball Hong Kong could hand debuts to as many as five players in the Asia Rugby Women’s Championship this month, something head coach Lewis Wilson said highlighted the “really exciting” potential for the game in the city. With several senior squad members, including Natasha Olson-Thorne, either injured or resting after an intense sevens season, Wilson said some fringe players had made “absolutely amazing progress” over the past several months. The city’s women take on Kazakhstan and hosts Japan in the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3309120/hong-kong-tap-potential-fresh-faces-asia-rugby-womens-championship?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3309120/hong-kong-tap-potential-fresh-faces-asia-rugby-womens-championship?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 05 May 2025 09:35:00 +0000 Japan’s rugby union said it was seeking answers on Tuesday after its chairman Kensuke Iwabuchi was suspended by Asia Rugby pending an investigation into a potential code of conduct breach. Asia Rugby said Iwabuchi, who was elected as one of the organisation’s three vice-presidents in November, had been suspended from “any duties and responsibilities until the pending investigation is concluded”. The regional governing body said it acted “in line with Asia Rugby principles of equality,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/international-rugby/article/3300051/japan-seeks-answers-after-asia-rugby-suspends-its-chairman-code-conduct-probe?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/international-rugby/article/3300051/japan-seeks-answers-after-asia-rugby-suspends-its-chairman-code-conduct-probe?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 25 Feb 2025 08:22:38 +0000 Head coach Andrew Douglas said an “expansive, high-risk” Hong Kong want to convince locals to “fall in love with rugby”. Douglas’s team know victory over South Korea at Hong Kong Football Club on Saturday will seal a fifth straight Asia Rugby Championship (ARC) title, after the team comfortably beat the United Arab Emirates and Malaysia in their opening two matches. But Hong Kong must be wary of a reaction from Korea, who tossed away a 14-point half-time advantage to lose 36-32 against... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/3267583/asia-rugby-championship-hong-kong-hope-high-risk-game-against-korea-will-win-over-locals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/3267583/asia-rugby-championship-hong-kong-hope-high-risk-game-against-korea-will-win-over-locals?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 22 Jun 2024 01:00:13 +0000 Head coach Andrew Douglas was “frustrated” with Hong Kong’s scrappy performance in their 52-5 Asia Rugby Championship (ARC) victory over debutants United Arab Emirates. UAE capitalised on Hong Kong’s sluggish start to cross first after six minutes. The hosts delivered a sound response to that early blow, scoring eight tries and preventing UAE from getting back on the board. Douglas, nevertheless, lamented his team’s “stop-start” display, and identified a number of areas to improve for Hong... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/3265021/asia-rugby-championship-hong-kong-flyer-coach-frustrated-and-demanding-improvement-after-scrappy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/3265021/asia-rugby-championship-hong-kong-flyer-coach-frustrated-and-demanding-improvement-after-scrappy?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 01 Jun 2024 12:59:20 +0000 The health of Hong Kong women’s rugby is on the line when the city clashes with Kazakhstan in a crunch Asia Rugby Championship (ARC) match on Saturday. Japan claimed the ARC title when they followed up an opening victory over Hong Kong with a 64-0 rout of the Kazakhs on Monday. However, the runners-up gain entry into WXV3, the third tier of the elite global competition, which provides a pathway to the 2025 Rugby World Cup – hence the importance of this match. The value Hong Kong have placed on... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/3264931/asia-rugby-championship-world-cup-spot-and-future-hong-kong-womens-rugby-stake-crunch-kazakhstan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/3264931/asia-rugby-championship-world-cup-spot-and-future-hong-kong-womens-rugby-stake-crunch-kazakhstan?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 01 Jun 2024 00:00:16 +0000 Head coach Royce Chan said Hong Kong’s women could reach a “much better level”, despite delivering a “massive effort” in their 29-12 Asia Rugby Championship defeat by Japan on Wednesday. The seven-position world-ranking gulf between the teams was exposed during a one-sided first half, when the home team struggled to escape their own 22, but defended tremendously to restrict Japan to 12-0 advantage at the break. Chan praised her players for digesting half-time instructions to take more care in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/3263694/hong-kongs-women-aiming-higher-after-massive-effort-asia-rugby-championship-loss-japan-kazakhstan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/3263694/hong-kongs-women-aiming-higher-after-massive-effort-asia-rugby-championship-loss-japan-kazakhstan?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 May 2024 13:56:11 +0000 Hong Kong had to throw all their major talent at the Asia Rugby Championship (ARC) or risk losing relevance on the international stage, officials said ahead of the women’s tournament starting on Wednesday. With the sevens team also on duty, bosses opted to gut that squad of the likes of skipper Natash Olson-Thorne and try-scoring machine Chong Ka-yan, in favour of the 15s side’s opening encounter with Japan at King’s Park. But Jo Hull, the local governing body’s general manager of rugby... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/3263557/womens-rugby-world-cup-place-justifies-gutting-sevens-squad-hong-kong-chief-says-ahead-arc-clash?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/3263557/womens-rugby-world-cup-place-justifies-gutting-sevens-squad-hong-kong-chief-says-ahead-arc-clash?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 May 2024 00:00:15 +0000 The Chinese Taipei rugby team will make their first tentative steps towards rejoining the ranks of Asia’s top teams when they play in the newly launched Unions Cup in Singapore next month. Taiwan were once consistently among the top four teams in Asia, along with Japan, South Korea and Hong Kong, but since 2008 have languished below the premier echelons of the Asian conference. With an eye on returning to the team’s glory days – when they finished third in Asia in 1976, 1984 and 2000 – Chinese... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/international-rugby/article/3262140/taiwan-rugby-eyes-return-glory-days-and-challenging-asias-elite-unions-cup-singapore-next-month?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/international-rugby/article/3262140/taiwan-rugby-eyes-return-glory-days-and-challenging-asias-elite-unions-cup-singapore-next-month?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 May 2024 05:26:16 +0000 At the start of a journey Hong Kong hope leads to a realistic shot at qualifying for the next World Cup, the first task was to retain their Asia Rugby Championship crown. The 30-10 triumph over South Korea on Saturday got that job done, and although it may not have been the most convincing of performances, good teams find a way to win when not at their best. There is evidence to suggest Lewis Evans’ squad has the potential to be one, even if victory against an enthusiastic but young opposition,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3224500/hong-kong-rugby-coach-calls-november-tests-these-guys-deserve-play-more?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3224500/hong-kong-rugby-coach-calls-november-tests-these-guys-deserve-play-more?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 18 Jun 2023 10:00:16 +0000 Defending champions Hong Kong have named a largely unchanged side for their Asia Rugby Championship title decider against South Korea this weekend. With both sides easing past Malaysia in their opening games, Saturday’s clash at Hong Kong Football Club is a repeat of last year’s final in Incheon, which Hong Kong won with the last kick of the game. Head coach Lewis Evans has been forced to make two changes to the starting 15, with prop Ashton Hyde dropping out through illness and full-back Paul... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3224282/asia-rugby-championship-hong-kong-name-largely-unchanged-side-title-decider-against-south-korea?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3224282/asia-rugby-championship-hong-kong-name-largely-unchanged-side-title-decider-against-south-korea?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 16 Jun 2023 04:03:41 +0000 It is difficult to tell how much Hong Kong will have learned from their utter demolition of Malaysia in the Asia Rugby Championship over the weekend. Results such as this, where one side runs in 13 tries and scores at more than a point a minute in an 88-9 hammering of limited opposition, rarely answer questions about a team’s standing. Are Hong Kong making strides towards being better prepared for the next World Cup qualifying campaign, or still the side so cruelly exposed in the repechage as... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3223722/asia-rugby-championship-hong-kong-hammering-malaysia-still-leaves-plenty-questions-ahead-south-korea?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3223722/asia-rugby-championship-hong-kong-hammering-malaysia-still-leaves-plenty-questions-ahead-south-korea?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 11 Jun 2023 23:30:14 +0000 Sebastian Brien ran in five tries and Hong Kong demolished Malaysia 88-9 in the Asia Rugby Championship on Saturday. In a truly one-sided affair, the home side scored 13 tries in all at Hong Kong Football Club, with Alex Post touching down twice, and Jamie Lauder, Charles Higson-Smith, Luke van der Smit, Gregor McNeish, Pierce MacKinlay-West and Bryn Phillips also crossing. McNeish added 17 points with the boot, and Nathan De Thierry chipped in with nine more as Lewis Evans’ side ran riot... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3223663/asia-rugby-championship-5-star-brien-leads-way-hong-kong-run-riot-against-malaysia-13-try-mauling?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3223663/asia-rugby-championship-5-star-brien-leads-way-hong-kong-run-riot-against-malaysia-13-try-mauling?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 10 Jun 2023 14:20:19 +0000 Hong Kong will begin the defence of their Asia Rugby Championship title against Malaysia on Saturday with a new captain, but without a host of players who took part in the team’s World Cup campaign last year. Gone through injury, retirement or in the case of others such as Bedford wing Matt Worley an inability to make the trip, head coach Lewis Evans is missing some 15 players with international experience, including the likes of influential forwards Josh Hrstich, James Cunningham and Mark... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3223567/asia-rugby-championship-hong-kong-begin-title-defence-new-captain-and-some-sevens-stars-malaysia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3223567/asia-rugby-championship-hong-kong-begin-title-defence-new-captain-and-some-sevens-stars-malaysia?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 09 Jun 2023 10:00:38 +0000 Hong Kong go into this weekend’s Asia Rugby Championship clash against Malaysia with two goals in mind: defending their title and looking ahead to the next World Cup in four years’ time. Saturday’s match should be the easier of two encounters Lewis Evans’ men face over the next fortnight, with South Korea likely to provide a far sterner test in a game expected to decide who wins the competition this year. South Korea beat Malaysia 27-3 last weekend in a rain-soaked affair, and will be looking to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3223180/asia-rugby-championship-hong-kong-have-2-priorities-they-start-title-defence-against-malaysia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3223180/asia-rugby-championship-hong-kong-have-2-priorities-they-start-title-defence-against-malaysia?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 06 Jun 2023 23:45:11 +0000 Hong Kong head coach Royce Chan Leong-sze said there was still “a lot of work to be done” after her side narrowly beat Sweden on Monday. Tries from Roshini Turner, Ng Kin-sum and a late winner from Chloe Baltazar secured a 22-17 victory at the National Rugby Centre Stadium in Amsterdam. With the Asia Rugby Championship three weeks away, the city’s women are in the Netherlands for two warm-up matches, the second of which is on Saturday. But after throwing away a 17-0 lead at half-time, Chan... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3219142/asia-rugby-championship-hong-kongs-women-get-preparations-flying-start-22-15-win-over-sweden?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3219142/asia-rugby-championship-hong-kongs-women-get-preparations-flying-start-22-15-win-over-sweden?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 02 May 2023 09:54:09 +0000 Hong Kong’s women will prepare for the Asia Rugby Championship (ARC) in May with two Test matches against Sweden and the Netherlands next week. Royce Chan Leong-sze is taking a 32-strong squad for the games in Amsterdam, with eight uncapped players included alongside the likes of experienced pair Chow Mei-nam and Lee Ka-shun. The group will be further boosted by the likes of Natasha Olson-Thorne, Rosanna Wright and Jessica Ho who are expected to join up with the team after the final round of the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3218408/asia-rugby-championship-hong-kongs-women-take-sweden-and-netherlands-warm-matches?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3218408/asia-rugby-championship-hong-kongs-women-take-sweden-and-netherlands-warm-matches?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 26 Apr 2023 07:10:49 +0000 Hong Kong’s men and women began their preparations for the Asia Rugby Championship in earnest on Saturday, with games between the city’s best and World XVs. The matches at Hong Kong Football Club gave coaches Lewis Evans and Royce Chan the opportunity to take a look at some of the players they expect to be involved in several weeks and later in the year. For Evans, whose players have only just started to get back into training after a long domestic season, having a warm-up game was one of the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3217190/hong-kong-teams-prepare-asia-rugby-championship-new-super-xv-competition?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3217190/hong-kong-teams-prepare-asia-rugby-championship-new-super-xv-competition?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 15 Apr 2023 11:14:59 +0000 Hong Kong won the Asia Rugby Championship by the narrowest of margins on Saturday, beating South Korea 23-21 in the dying seconds of a pulsating encounter in Incheon. Gregor McNeish’s penalty with the last kick of the game sealed a remarkable victory for Hong Kong, who battled for 79 minutes with 14 men after wing Charles Higson-Smith was sent off for a high tackle on full back Jeong Yeon-sik. Moments earlier McNeish’s kick behind the defence had allowed Nathan de Thierry to score Hong Kong’s... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3184739/asia-rugby-championship-mcneish-penalty-dying?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3184739/asia-rugby-championship-mcneish-penalty-dying?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 09 Jul 2022 12:34:15 +0000 Hong Kong head coach Lewis Evans would love to be able to sit back and relax for the last 15 minutes of Saturday’s Asia Rugby Championship clash as his team cruise to victory against South Korea, but he is not expecting that to happen. The confessed realist and his fellow coaches have prepared for a close game, and the five-three split between forwards and backs among the replacements in the match-day squad of 23 reflects that. And while Evans knows his side are capable of running up a score,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3184686/asia-rugby-championship-hong-kong-boss-lewis?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3184686/asia-rugby-championship-hong-kong-boss-lewis?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 09 Jul 2022 01:00:20 +0000 Having captained Football Club to the Dettol Men’s Premiership title last season, Josh Hrstich has been presented with a new challenge: leading Hong Kong’s bid for a place at the 2023 World Cup. The New Zealand-born No 8 has been named as skipper for the Asia Rugby Championship (ARC) clash against South Korea in less than two weeks, with Glyn Hughes and James Cunningham his vice-captains. Victory in that game would set up a World Cup qualifier against Tonga in Australia on July 24, with the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3183267/hong-kong-turn-new-zealand-born-captain-lead-bid?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3183267/hong-kong-turn-new-zealand-born-captain-lead-bid?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Jun 2022 23:30:24 +0000 Hong Kong will head to South Korea next week for the final of the Asia Rugby Championship with a host of new faces in head coach Lewis Evans’ first squad. Victory on July 9 would set up a 2023 World Cup qualifier against Tonga in Australia two weeks later, and while the winners get a ticket to Paris, the losers will have another shot in a four-team repechage tournament in November. After two years of uncertainty and upheaval, Hong Kong’s 29-strong group who will attempt their first steps towards... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3182956/rugby-world-cup-hong-kong-add-fresh-blood-south?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3182956/rugby-world-cup-hong-kong-add-fresh-blood-south?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Jun 2022 10:30:27 +0000 If Hong Kong successfully defend their Asia Rugby Championship next month, a World Cup qualifier then awaits against a Tongan side likely to include former Wallaby Israel Folau and ex-All Blacks Charles Piutau and Malakai Fekitoa. Folau, who scored 37 tries in 73 tests for Australia before his social media posts suggesting “hell” awaited gay people got him fired by club and country in 2019, has been named in Tonga’s squad for next month’s Pacific Nations Cup, which will feature hosts Fiji, Samoa... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3179992/hong-kong-reward-winning-asia-rugby-championship?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3179992/hong-kong-reward-winning-asia-rugby-championship?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Jun 2022 09:30:15 +0000 The Hong Kong Rugby Union has until the end of the month to decide whether its men’s 15s side is in a position to try to qualify for next year’s World Cup in France. Asia Rugby has rearranged the region’s championship to allow Malaysia, South Korea and Hong Kong to compete for a chance to take on Tonga in July for a spot at the 2023 tournament. Hong Kong had initially withdrawn from this year’s event because of Covid-19 travel restrictions, and social-distancing rules that had prevented any... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3176836/hong-kong-set-world-cup-deadline-asia-tournament?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3176836/hong-kong-set-world-cup-deadline-asia-tournament?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 07 May 2022 00:30:25 +0000 If arguably the toughest thing to crack in international rugby is a glass ceiling, few are better qualified to give career advice than Michael Leitch, of Japan. Whether aiming to join Europe’s top table, or outwit a southern hemisphere giant, or graduate from whipping boys to knockout kings, it pays in union’s global game to know your place. But the Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo flanker intends to keep shaking up the world order with club and country, and sees admission to elite competitions as the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/3176760/could-japan-join-rugby-championship-michael-leitch-talks-tier?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/3176760/could-japan-join-rugby-championship-michael-leitch-talks-tier?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 May 2022 06:59:56 +0000 Japanese rugby star Kazuki Himeno is leading the charge to reawaken the Asian scene after what he described as a lull during the Covid-19 era. The 27-year-old Toyota Verblitz forward is considered one of the best in the world in his position. He was named last year’s Aotearoa Rookie of the Year after an impressive stint with Super Rugby side Highlanders, and also bagged Japan’s Player of the Year. Back in his familiar Japan Rugby League One (JRLO), the man teammates call “Mr. Passion” hopes the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/3172482/japan-responsible-representing-asia-amid-covid-impacted-rugby?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/3172482/japan-responsible-representing-asia-amid-covid-impacted-rugby?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 31 Mar 2022 00:30:17 +0000 The surging coronavirus outbreak has forced Hong Kong Rugby Union to cancel the rest of the season for clubs in the men’s and women’s premierships. With thousands of new Covid-19 cases being reported in the city every day, the union cited the escalation of transmission, the uncertainty of when the fifth wave might end, and concerns over player welfare, as reasons behind the move. The scrapping of the Dettol Premiership seasons means there will be no grand championships in either the men’s or... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3167408/coronavirus-hong-kong-rugby-union-cancels-dettol?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3167408/coronavirus-hong-kong-rugby-union-cancels-dettol?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 17 Feb 2022 09:27:39 +0000 UK Sport performance adviser James Farndon has been appointed to take over as general manager of performance rugby in Hong Kong. Farndon, a prominent figure in the development of Great Britain’s Olympic and Paralympic programmes for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, replaces Leigh Jones who left the Hong Kong Rugby Union to become the general manager of Leicester Tigers last month. “I am hugely excited about helping to lead the strategic direction of rugby performance for HKRU,” said Farndon, who... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3137642/hong-kong-rugby-union-appoints-james-farndon-key-performance-role?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3137642/hong-kong-rugby-union-appoints-james-farndon-key-performance-role?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 17 Jun 2021 07:07:54 +0000 Former England coach and international Simon Amor will be Hong Kong’s interim coach for the upcoming Asia Rugby Championship (ARC) campaign, the Hong Kong Rugby Union announced on Monday. The 42-year-old is a familiar face in the city given his regular captaining or coaching of the England sevens team over the years. He is a four-time Hong Kong Sevens cup winner and was named 2004 World Rugby Sevens player of the year. Amor has coached both the English men’s and women’s sevens teams, 2016... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3136351/hong-kong-rugby-appoint-england-legend-simon-amor-interim-mens-15s?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3136351/hong-kong-rugby-appoint-england-legend-simon-amor-interim-mens-15s?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 07 Jun 2021 08:59:30 +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 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 The Hong Kong Rugby Union has appointed a new interim head coach to oversee the national men’s 15s Rugby World Cup 2023 qualifying campaign scheduled for the end of the year. Hong Kong Scottish and former South China Tigers head coach Craig Hammond will take over Andrew Hall’s duties in guiding the side through the Asia Rugby Championship (ARC) and subsequent play-offs, which are still postponed indefinitely. Hammond is extremely familiar with the Union and its men side, having served as... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/3129441/hong-kong-union-appoints-craig-hammond-spearhead-rugby-world?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/3129441/hong-kong-union-appoints-craig-hammond-spearhead-rugby-world?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 14 Apr 2021 02:01:18 +0000 Hong Kong men’s and women’s Premiership seasons have been cancelled over Covid-19 concerns, the Hong Kong Rugby Union (HKRU) announced on Monday. The decision comes after the Ursus Fitness gym cluster and subsequent quarantining of rugby members earlier in the month caused further delay to the resumption of Hong Kong men’s and women’s Premiership domestic leagues. After liaising with its members, HKRU CEO Robbie McRobbie confirmed that 39 clubs wanted to resume competition this month while 33... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3127503/hong-kongs-top-rugby-leagues-cancelled-over-covid?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3127503/hong-kongs-top-rugby-leagues-cancelled-over-covid?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 29 Mar 2021 11:40:29 +0000