https://www.scmp.com/rss/513261/feed The 2023 Rugby World Cup will be the 10th edition of the quadrennial world championship for men's rugby union teams. It is scheduled to take place in France from September 8 to October 28 in nine venues across the country. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com As one of the toughest sports due to its dangerous and physical nature, rugby is not a game for the faint hearted. Nevertheless, it proudly remained an amateur sport for years, only becoming professional in 1995. This removed any restrictions on what players can earn, and prompted changes that have transformed many aspects of the game. Last October, South Africa won the Rugby World Cup for the fourth time by a single point in a nail-biting final. Viewership of the tournament reached 1.33... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/entertainment/article/3259614/5-worlds-richest-rugby-players-2024-net-worths-ranked-legends-sonny-bill-williams-jonny-wilkinson?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/entertainment/article/3259614/5-worlds-richest-rugby-players-2024-net-worths-ranked-legends-sonny-bill-williams-jonny-wilkinson?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 20 Apr 2024 20:00:17 +0000 France will deploy up to 7,000 security personnel across the country as part of its measures to ensure safety during the Rugby World Cup, sports minister Amelie Oudea Castera said on Monday. The World Cup starts with a much-awaited clash between France and New Zealand at Stade de France on Friday, but the situation around the venue will be heavily monitored well before the 9pm kick-off. “It will be an outstanding moment of sport. This Rugby World Cup is set to be exceptional as France organises... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/3233349/rugby-world-cup-france-strengthens-security-ensure-safe-tournament-after-disaster-uefa-champions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/3233349/rugby-world-cup-france-strengthens-security-ensure-safe-tournament-after-disaster-uefa-champions?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 04 Sep 2023 09:33:32 +0000 Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words, and must include your full name and address, plus a phone number for verification. In 2020, Hong Kong was the world’s top per capita consumer of meat, outstripping the United States. This should not be that surprising, considering how most cha chaan teng dishes include some form... https://www.scmp.com/comment/letters/article/3231286/if-cruelty-whales-bad-what-about-cruelty-chickens-and-cows?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/letters/article/3231286/if-cruelty-whales-bad-what-about-cruelty-chickens-and-cows?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 17 Aug 2023 03:30:15 +0000 Rugby Australia sacked coach Dave Rennie on Monday just eight months out from the World Cup and replaced him with ex-England boss Eddie Jones in what it called “a major coup”. It will be Jones’s second stint in charge after his 2001-2005 spell during which he took Australia to the 2003 World Cup final. New Zealander Rennie was shown the door after just five wins from 14 Tests last year. He was in charge for three seasons. Speculation had been rife that Jones, an Australian, would be brought into... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/international-rugby/article/3206921/ex-england-coach-eddie-jones-handed-australia-job-after-rennie-axed-will-guide-side-world-cup?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/international-rugby/article/3206921/ex-england-coach-eddie-jones-handed-australia-job-after-rennie-axed-will-guide-side-world-cup?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Jan 2023 01:43:42 +0000 It’s approaching five years since Bryan Habana retired from playing rugby, and he can picture the moment as if it were yesterday. The former South Africa international had just left his French club side Toulon for the last time having announced that his playing days were over, and was driving home in the South of France. He remembers vividly the obligatory post on social media thanking everyone and the immediate aftermath as being “a pretty lonely place”, but it wasn’t until he walked through... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/3201045/rugby-world-cup-legend-bryan-habana-beats-post-retirement-hollowness-after-realising-power-touch?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/3201045/rugby-world-cup-legend-bryan-habana-beats-post-retirement-hollowness-after-realising-power-touch?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 26 Nov 2022 04:30:15 +0000 Portugal will not travel to next year’s Rugby World Cup in France as “pushovers” despite being the 20th and last team to qualify for the tournament, according to coach Patrice Lagisquet. The former France winger also called on World Rugby to better help teams like Portugal in light of the progression of rivals Georgia, who notched up a historic 13-12 victory over Wales last weekend. The Portuguese clinched the final berth at the World Cup after a 16-16 draw with the USA in Dubai last week,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/3200800/portugal-will-not-be-pushovers-rugby-world-cup-says-coach-lagisquet?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/3200800/portugal-will-not-be-pushovers-rugby-world-cup-says-coach-lagisquet?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 24 Nov 2022 04:30:10 +0000 After guiding Portugal to the Rugby World Cup for the first time, head coach Patrice Lagisquet is going back to his day job on Monday. The culmination of three years of hard work and planning by the Frenchman and his coaches paid glorious dividends in Dubai, where Samuel Marques’ nerveless penalty sealed a 16-16 draw with the USA, sending Portugal through on points difference. Lagisquet said he did not know how long he would allow himself to bask in the glory of his side’s dramatic achievement... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/3200283/after-guiding-portugal-first-rugby-world-cup-coach-patrice-lagisquet-goes-back-daily-grind-insurance?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/3200283/after-guiding-portugal-first-rugby-world-cup-coach-patrice-lagisquet-goes-back-daily-grind-insurance?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 20 Nov 2022 04:49:12 +0000 Portugal have qualified for the Rugby World Cup for the first time with a thrilling 16-16 draw against the USA in Dubai. Scrum-half Samuel Marques kicked a penalty after the final buzzer to send his side through on points difference. The two sides had battled to a near standstill for 80 minutes, and as Portugal celebrated, the USA players sank to their knees. It means Portugal will take their place in Pool C at RWC 2023, alongside Wales, Australia, Fiji and Georgia. Rugby World Cup: winner takes... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/3200206/rugby-world-cup-portugal-win-dramatic-final-qualifier-reach-finals-first-time?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/3200206/rugby-world-cup-portugal-win-dramatic-final-qualifier-reach-finals-first-time?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 18 Nov 2022 17:31:31 +0000 The journey to next year’s Rugby World Cup will come to a juddering halt for either the USA or Portugal on Friday night, and in a battle of contrasting styles it is almost impossible to predict who it will be. In the red, white, and blue corner are Gary Gold’s Eagles, and opposite them Patrice Lagisquet’s Os Lobos, and while it might be cliched to suggest the two sides reflect their coaches, it does not make it any less true. Both sides have looked on top of their games at times in Dubai,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/3200029/rugby-world-cup-winner-takes-it-all-usa-and-portugal-face-final-shoot-out-france-2023-spot?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/3200029/rugby-world-cup-winner-takes-it-all-usa-and-portugal-face-final-shoot-out-france-2023-spot?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 18 Nov 2022 00:15:07 +0000 USA Eagles head coach Gary Gold hailed his side’s “clinical performance” in their 49-7 win over Hong Kong, which sets up a winner-takes-all clash against Portugal for a place at next year’s Rugby World Cup. The two countries are unbeaten in the final qualifying tournament in Dubai, and Portugal’s 85-0 hammering of Kenya in the early game laid down a marker for Friday’s clash. And after coming through a bruising encounter with Hong Kong, Gold said it would be pointless denying that the chance of... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/3199541/rugby-world-cup-usa-eagles-coach-hails-sides-clinical-win-over-hong-kong-eyes-winner-takes-all-clash?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/3199541/rugby-world-cup-usa-eagles-coach-hails-sides-clinical-win-over-hong-kong-eyes-winner-takes-all-clash?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 14 Nov 2022 08:49:09 +0000 Hong Kong were always going to struggle to beat the USA in Dubai, and even if everything had gone perfectly it would have been an uphill battle. Unfortunately it didn’t, and Saturday’s second round of matches in the Rugby World Cup final qualifying tournament only served to highlight the gulf in class to the US and Portugal, who will battle it out for the final spot in Paris on Friday, and the rest. But while the latter’s 85-0 battering of Kenya was a procession of tries from the first minute to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/3199475/gulf-class-hong-kong-get-taste-what-test-rugby-all-about-world-cup-final-qualifying?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/3199475/gulf-class-hong-kong-get-taste-what-test-rugby-all-about-world-cup-final-qualifying?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 14 Nov 2022 00:30:16 +0000 The USA Eagles and Portugal will battle it out for the final spot at next year’s Rugby World Cup after both grabbed convincing victories in the final qualifying tournament in Dubai on Saturday. Portugal put Kenya to the sword in a 85-0 victory, while the USA beat Hong Kong 49-7 in a bruising encounter in the evening’s second game at The Sevens Stadium. A brace from wing Nate Augspurger, and further scores from Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz, Kapeli Pifeleti, Cam Dolan, Mitch Wilson and Moni... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/3199426/rugby-world-cup-final-qualifying-usa-too-strong-hong-kong-set-decider-against-portugal-last-paris?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/3199426/rugby-world-cup-final-qualifying-usa-too-strong-hong-kong-set-decider-against-portugal-last-paris?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 12 Nov 2022 18:55:24 +0000 USA Eagles coach Gary Gold is expecting Hong Kong to “bring it to us upfront” on Saturday during the second round of matches at the Rugby World Cup qualifying tournament in Dubai. Gold has made five changes to the side that hammered Kenya 68-14 in the opening game, including dropping prop Dylan Fawsitt, who scored a hat-trick in his side’s 10-try romp, to the bench. Hong Kong have also juggled their personnel from the 42-14 defeat to Portugal, although in the case of head coach Lewis Evans, a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/3199178/rugby-world-cup-final-qualifying-usa-coach-gold-expects-hong-kong-bring-it-us-forwards-battle-dubai?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/3199178/rugby-world-cup-final-qualifying-usa-coach-gold-expects-hong-kong-bring-it-us-forwards-battle-dubai?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 10 Nov 2022 13:20:25 +0000 Hong Kong have been hit by a spate of injuries ahead of their second game in the final qualifying tournament for next year’s Rugby World Cup. Forwards Patrick Jenkinson and James Sawyer have been ruled out of the rest of the competition in Dubai, after picking up hamstring and thumb injuries respectively in the 42-14 loss to Portugal on Sunday. Charles Higson-Smith, the wing, is also out of Saturday’s game against the USA with a knee injury, and could miss the final game against Kenya on... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/international-rugby/article/3198894/rugby-world-cup-2023-injury-hit-hong-kong-are-down-bare-bones-usa-qualifying-clash?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/international-rugby/article/3198894/rugby-world-cup-2023-injury-hit-hong-kong-are-down-bare-bones-usa-qualifying-clash?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 08 Nov 2022 11:45:10 +0000 Hong Kong’s chances of reaching next year’s Rugby World Cup are far from over, but the reality of the task facing Lewis Evans’ side was put into stark relief by defeat in their opening game of the final qualifying tournament in Dubai. Manful though it was, the unceasing effort needed during the 42-14 loss at the hands of Portugal never seemed likely to overcome an opposition whose pace and variation of attack was a class apart from what most of the Hong Kong players experience on a weekly... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/international-rugby/article/3198786/rugby-world-cup-2023-qualifiers-hong-kong-playing-catch-after-struggling-keep-pace-portugal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/international-rugby/article/3198786/rugby-world-cup-2023-qualifiers-hong-kong-playing-catch-after-struggling-keep-pace-portugal?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 08 Nov 2022 00:30:14 +0000 Hong Kong’s hopes of qualifying for the Rugby World Cup for the first time were dealt a significant blow by Portugal on Sunday in their opening game of the final qualifying tournament in Dubai. A speedy Portuguese backline proved too good for Lewis Evans’ side, and eventually ran out comfortable 42-14 winners at The Sevens Stadium. Wing Raffaele Storti scored two of his teams six tries, while the impressive Samuel Marques added 12 points with the boot for Patrice Lagisquet, who are expected to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/3198656/rugby-world-cup-portugal-speed-too-hot-hong-kong-handle-final-qualifying-tournament-dubai?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/3198656/rugby-world-cup-portugal-speed-too-hot-hong-kong-handle-final-qualifying-tournament-dubai?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 06 Nov 2022 18:32:37 +0000 The USA romped to a convincing 68-14 win over Kenya in the opening game of the Rugby World Cup final qualifying tournament in Dubai on Sunday. Dylan Fawsitt, the hooker, and wing Christian Dyer both bagged hat-tricks in a 10-try thrashing, as they made a fast start to the tournament that will decide the last place for the main event in Paris next year. There were scores too for No 8 Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz, full-back Mitch Wilson, wing Nate Augspurger and replacement prop Mike Sosene Feagai,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/3198649/rugby-world-cup-usa-romp-10-try-demolition-kenya-opening-game-final-qualifying-tournament?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/3198649/rugby-world-cup-usa-romp-10-try-demolition-kenya-opening-game-final-qualifying-tournament?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 06 Nov 2022 15:32:47 +0000 If there was any doubting Hong Kong’s intent going into their first game of the Rugby World Cup repechage in Dubai on Sunday, then Lewis Evans’ team selection has dispelled them. With the need to make a fast start against Portugal, Evans has opted for a new half-back partnership of Jamie Lauder and Gregor McNeish, while the versatile Jack Neville comes in at outside centre and Sean Taylor, who has been in fine form for HK Scottish this season at full back, starts on the left wing. Both Neville... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3198546/rugby-world-cup-hong-kong-coach-lewis-evans-rings-changes-ahead-portugal-clash-final-bid-qualify?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3198546/rugby-world-cup-hong-kong-coach-lewis-evans-rings-changes-ahead-portugal-clash-final-bid-qualify?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 05 Nov 2022 03:20:46 +0000 Hong Kong’s last chance to qualify for next year’s Rugby World Cup begins in Dubai on Sunday, and head coach Lewis Evans is already facing “some headaches” over team selection. Already struggling with cover for the front row, Evans has lost the services of prop Callum McFeat-Smith to a knee injury. McFeat-Smith, who can play on either side of the scrum, would almost certainly have been involved in the game against Portugal, after his performance in the encounter with Tonga in July. Evans said he... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3198326/hong-kong-send-sos-headaches-leave-mens-rugby-squad-short-final-shot-world-cup?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3198326/hong-kong-send-sos-headaches-leave-mens-rugby-squad-short-final-shot-world-cup?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 04 Nov 2022 01:30:15 +0000 There is a lot riding on the next month for Hong Kong’s rugby players, not least of which is the chance to make history as the first team from the city to qualify for a World Cup. Lewis Evans’ side flew to Dubai on Sunday ahead of the repechage tournament where they will take on Kenya, Portugal and the United States for the right to play at the main event in Paris next year. For some of those in the 30-man squad, November represents a last chance, and in several cases, an only chance, to reach... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/international-rugby/article/3196957/hong-kong-head-dubai-rugby-world-cup-repechage-stakes-high-and-some-it-will-be-all-or-nothing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/international-rugby/article/3196957/hong-kong-head-dubai-rugby-world-cup-repechage-stakes-high-and-some-it-will-be-all-or-nothing?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 24 Oct 2022 00:00:17 +0000 In an ideal situation, Lewis Evans would not have named his Hong Kong squad for the Rugby World Cup repechage tournament in Dubai next month for at least another week. But the October 10th deadline meant the 30-strong group tasked with qualifying for next year’s Rugby World Cup in Paris had to be selected on the basis of two games in the Nan Fung/Sewit Men’s Premiership, a handful of training sessions and in some instances, previous performances. And while there are few surprises, Evans said he... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/international-rugby/article/3195590/no-easy-choices-hong-kong-coach-lewis-evans-squad?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/international-rugby/article/3195590/no-easy-choices-hong-kong-coach-lewis-evans-squad?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 11 Oct 2022 23:45:15 +0000 World Rugby has unveiled the match schedule for the Final Qualification Tournament that will determine the 20th and final qualifier for Rugby World Cup 2023 in France. Played over three match days from November 6 to 18 at the Sevens Stadium in Dubai, the Final Qualification Tournament for RWC 2023 in France will feature four teams from four different continents. Hong Kong, Kenya, Portugal and USA will face each other in a round-robin format with the team accruing the most competition points... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/international-rugby/article/3190865/rugby-world-cup-hong-kong-face-portugal-match?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/international-rugby/article/3190865/rugby-world-cup-hong-kong-face-portugal-match?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 31 Aug 2022 11:08:37 +0000 South Africa’s hopes of snapping a nine-year winless streak on Australian soil were shattered Saturday with a bruising 25-17 Rugby Championship defeat to the Wallabies at Adelaide Oval. The home team took a 10-3 lead into the break, soaking up huge pressure, before piling on 15 points in the second half to once more deny the Springboks, who have not tasted victory in Australia since 2013, now spanning eight Tests. They have another chance next week in Sydney. Two tries from Fraser McReight and... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/international-rugby/article/3190405/battling-australia-topple-south-africa-rugby?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/international-rugby/article/3190405/battling-australia-topple-south-africa-rugby?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 27 Aug 2022 08:28:07 +0000 New Zealand Rugby on Wednesday endorsed Ian Foster as the right man to coach the All Blacks through to next year’s World Cup but said he would have more hands-on support from selector and strategist Joe Schmidt. Foster had come under huge pressure after the All Blacks suffered three consecutive defeats against Ireland and South Africa but was relieved after the rebound win over the Springboks at Ellis Park last Saturday. Local media had speculated Canterbury Crusaders coach Scott Robertson was... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/international-rugby/article/3189174/new-zealand-rugby-back-foster-all-blacks-coach?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/international-rugby/article/3189174/new-zealand-rugby-back-foster-all-blacks-coach?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 17 Aug 2022 04:53:53 +0000 Matt Worley’s chin was still throbbing from a crunching Tongan hit when he scored the two stunning tries that convinced Hong Kong their Rugby World Cup dream is still alive. The blond-haired flyer’s double in the final three minutes of Saturday’s game added huge merit to Hong Kong’s 44-22 loss to hot favourites Tonga at Sunshine Coast Stadium, north of Brisbane. Direct entry from this Asia-Pacific qualifier is gone but Hong Kong can take fresh confidence into the final RWC qualifying tournament... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/3186347/tonga-hand-hong-kong-crushing-44-22-loss-secure-their-place-2023-rugby?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/3186347/tonga-hand-hong-kong-crushing-44-22-loss-secure-their-place-2023-rugby?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 23 Jul 2022 09:50:02 +0000 The 19th team in the 20-team Rugby World Cup in France next year is set to be determined Saturday on what is expected to be a mud-splattered pitch in a 10,000-seat stadium north of Brisbane. Tonga or Hong Kong will advance after the Asia-Pacific qualifying match on Queensland state’s Sunshine Coast. The consolation prize for the losing team will be a spot in a last-chance qualifying tournament in November. Tonga will be heavily favoured in Saturday’s match at the diminutive and cosy Sunshine... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/international-rugby/article/3186249/muddy-pitch-small-venue-play-host-hong-kong-face?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/international-rugby/article/3186249/muddy-pitch-small-venue-play-host-hong-kong-face?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 22 Jul 2022 11:00:18 +0000 Hong Kong coach Lewis Evans said he had to make several “incredibly tough decisions” in selecting his team for Saturday’s Rugby World Cup qualifier against Tonga. The Welshman has made six changes to the starting 15 that won the Asia Rugby Championship two weeks ago, with injuries and the physical nature of the clash both playing their part in a 23-man squad that includes six forwards on the bench for the game on Australia’s Sunshine Coast. There are changes at scrum-half and fly-half, with Jack... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/international-rugby/article/3186139/rugby-world-cup-hong-kong-coach-lewis-evans-rings?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/international-rugby/article/3186139/rugby-world-cup-hong-kong-coach-lewis-evans-rings?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 22 Jul 2022 01:00:13 +0000 Tonga will be without star internationals Israel Folau, Malakai Fekitoa and Charles Piutau for their World Cup playoff against Hong Kong on the Sunshine Coast in Australia on Saturday. Outside back Folau, capped 73 times for Australia before his Wallabies contract was terminated in 2019, suffered a serious hamstring injury early in his Tonga debut in the 36-0 loss to hosts Fiji in the Pacific Nations Cup. Coach Toutai Kefu said the dual code international could be sidelined for up to another 12... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/international-rugby/article/3186031/rugby-world-cup-injuries-leave-tonga-without-big?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/international-rugby/article/3186031/rugby-world-cup-injuries-leave-tonga-without-big?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 21 Jul 2022 04:08:15 +0000 Hong Kong have arrived in Australia ahead of their 2023 Rugby World Cup qualifier against Tonga, and head coach Lewis Evans says his side will be better prepared than they were for their nail-biting win over South Korea last weekend. A Gregor McNeish penalty with the last kick gave Hong Kong a narrow 23-21 win in the Asia Rugby Championship final, earning them the right to face the Pacific Islanders on July 23. Despite leading 15-0 at half-time, Hong Kong were pegged back after the break and... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3185183/rugby-world-cup-hong-kong-under-no-illusions-task?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/hong-kong-rugby-union/article/3185183/rugby-world-cup-hong-kong-under-no-illusions-task?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 14 Jul 2022 01:30:35 +0000 Namibia captain Johan Deysel said his side “left everything on the field” as they reached the 2023 Rugby World Cup thanks to Sunday’s 36-0 win over Kenya in Aix-en-Provence. Flanker Wian Conradie, who plays for the New England Free Jacks in the United States, scored a hat-trick as The Welwitschias claimed a place in the global tournament for a seventh straight occasion. “We had a big build-up to this game,” Deysel told Canal+ after victories over Burkina Faso and Zimbabwe in the quarter-finals... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/3184878/deysels-namibia-leave-everything-field-reach-rugby-world-cup?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/3184878/deysels-namibia-leave-everything-field-reach-rugby-world-cup?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 11 Jul 2022 12:30:22 +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 Ron Rutland and Adam Nunn will pick up the Rugby World Cup whistles in Tokyo and deliver them to the women’s and men’s tournaments in Auckland and Paris respectively. Sounds simple enough, until you realise they will make their deliveries by bicycle. The pair will collect the whistles in Tokyo, the site of the 2019 Rugby World Cup, then travel by bike through Japan, take a ferry to Korea and cycle to Seoul. They are unable to enter China because of Covid-19 restrictions, so they will fly to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/extreme-sports/article/3168027/rugby-world-cup-whistles-be-delivered-cyclists?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/extreme-sports/article/3168027/rugby-world-cup-whistles-be-delivered-cyclists?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 23 Feb 2022 02:15:10 +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 Host nation France will play three-time winners New Zealand in a mouthwatering 2023 Rugby World Cup pool game, after the draw was made in Paris on Monday. The sides have met each other seven times in World Cups, including in the 1987 and 2011 finals with the All Blacks winning on both occasions. England take on Japan, who hosted the last World Cup in 2019, and Argentina, who beat New Zealand for the first time in their history in November. A qualifier each from Oceania and the Americas round out... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/3113923/all-blacks-face-france-2023-rugby-world-cup-pool-stages?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/3113923/all-blacks-face-france-2023-rugby-world-cup-pool-stages?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 14 Dec 2020 14:41:28 +0000 It’s a hard old game. That’s been a familiar refrain from coaches to players and commentators to fans over the past six weeks of the Rugby World Cup. Few can debate that either, and this hard old game is not one where you will age particularly well. The players who were on the pitch for the final on Saturday when South Africa beat England 32-12 will carry the physical residue of this match for the rest of their life. FULL-TIME in #RWCFinal @EnglandRugby 12 @Springboks 32 SOUTH AFRICA ARE... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/3036055/japan-2019-officially-kicked-touch-now-its-france-2023-rugby-world-cup?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/3036055/japan-2019-officially-kicked-touch-now-its-france-2023-rugby-world-cup?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 03 Nov 2019 01:00:09 +0000 The Hong Kong’s men’s rugby team would be among the major beneficiaries of an expanded Rugby World Cup, with World Rugby CEO Brett Gosper suggesting the tournament could feature 24 teams for the 2023 edition in France. However, expectations must be tempered by the need to ensure that teams who have qualified for the finals are of a certain standard to prevent lopsided scores. Hong Kong are ranked 21st in World Rugby’s latest men’s rankings and will take part in a repechage in Marseille in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2163721/rugby-world-cup-2023-expanded-24-team-line-will-boost-hong-kongs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2163721/rugby-world-cup-2023-expanded-24-team-line-will-boost-hong-kongs?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 11 Sep 2018 07:48:08 +0000 France will host the Rugby World Cup in 2023, a year before the Olympic Games in Paris, after surprisingly beating South Africa and Ireland in a vote on Wednesday. The World Rugby Council disregarded the recommendation of an evaluation report to hand the tenth edition of its showpiece tournament to South Africa. A secret vote by member nations instead saw France, which hosted the 2007 World Cup, beat South Africa 24-15 in a second round. “Just because it went to France doesn’t mean there’s [any]... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/2120109/france-host-2023-rugby-world-cup-stunning-south-africa?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/2120109/france-host-2023-rugby-world-cup-stunning-south-africa?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Nov 2017 16:55:18 +0000