https://www.scmp.com/rss/59492/feed Organised by the Asian Rugby Football Union, now known as Asia Rugby, the annual A5N featured 25 national teams in six divisions and was the leading 15-a-side competition in the region. It was replaced in 2015 by the Asia Rugby Championship. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” So said the fox in Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s infamous 1943 novella The Little Prince. Nearly 80 years on, the magnitude of these wise words is still being felt. Meet Malaysian director Yihwen Chen, whose maiden feature-length documentary Eye on the Ball follows a group of aspiring blind footballers in their journey to try to defend the Asean Para Games and also qualify for the World Blind Football... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3103630/malaysian-blind-football-documentary-eye-ball-gives-glimpse-severely?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3103630/malaysian-blind-football-documentary-eye-ball-gives-glimpse-severely?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 01 Oct 2020 00:09:24 +0000 A second-placed finish in the HSBC Asian Five Nations Top Five competition today will give Hong Kong a boost of confidence as they target a place in the repechage event at the World Cup qualifying campaign next year, says skipper Tom McColl. Victory over South Korea in Ansan will ensure Hong Kong finish second behind Japan. A similar finish next season, when the tournament doubles up as the World Cup Asian qualifier, will give Hong Kong a second bite at the cherry in qualifying for the 2015... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/1240088/hong-kong-face-south-korea-bid-second-spot-asian-five-nations?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/1240088/hong-kong-face-south-korea-bid-second-spot-asian-five-nations?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 May 2013 16:00:00 +0000 Hong Kong will miss giant lock forward Dan Watson and things might not be just so "elementary" when they come up against South Korea in their final outing in the HSBC Asian Five Nations Top Five competition in Ansan on Saturday. Watson's fictitious namesake helped Sherlock Holmes solve many a mystery, but the massive second-rower has been lost to local rugby with his job taking him to the United States. "He is a huge loss," said Hong Kong coach Leigh Jones. "His absence will leave a hole in the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/1238434/hong-kong-miss-giant-lock-forward-dan-watson-final-asian-five?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/1238434/hong-kong-miss-giant-lock-forward-dan-watson-final-asian-five?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 May 2013 16:00:00 +0000 The fire and brimstone from the Philippines "Volcanoes" lasted a bit longer than expected before it subsided to give Hong Kong an ultimately comfortable 59-20 victory in the HSBC Asian Five Nations Top Five competition in Manila yesterday. Hong Kong head coach Leigh Jones, in his pre-match assessment, believed his team would have to worry about the first 30 minutes, based on how the home team had performed against Japan in the opening minutes of that encounter. The Philippines blew hot for a bit... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/1230228/hong-kong-tame-volcanoes-52-20-a5n-top-five-after-early-scare?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/1230228/hong-kong-tame-volcanoes-52-20-a5n-top-five-after-early-scare?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 May 2013 16:00:00 +0000 A buzz of excitement surrounding the first home game for the Philippines at the elite level in the HSBC Asian Five Nations has put Hong Kong on guard as they hope to secure their berth in the Top Five competition for next year's 2015 World Cup qualifying campaign. Head coach Leigh Jones was caught unprepared by the strong showing from the Filipino media at yesterday's press conference with around 40 members of the Manila press corps turning up as they drum up support for the Volcanoes. "There is... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/1229486/media-fans-boost-philippines-ahead-hong-kong-clash?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/1229486/media-fans-boost-philippines-ahead-hong-kong-clash?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 May 2013 16:00:00 +0000 Hong Kong has again been asked to field a team in Japan's professional Top League - this time by Brave Blossoms' head coach Eddie Jones, who believes a franchise based here would help the national squad close the gap on the perennial Asian champions. "It is time for Hong Kong to think seriously about having a team of full-time professionals in Japan's premier competition," said Jones, who was here at the weekend for the Asian Five Nations Top Five competition. "The Japan Rugby Union isn't doing... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/1225455/hong-kong-urged-field-team-japans-top-league?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/1225455/hong-kong-urged-field-team-japans-top-league?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 28 Apr 2013 16:00:00 +0000 It seemed as if the foundations of the Great Wall had been moved to Hong Kong Football Club yesterday as Japan floundered on a brave and unyielding Hong Kong defensive line at the Asian Five Nations Top Five competition before running out 38-0 winners. It was shades of the Spartans at Thermopylae. You knew the outcome well beforehand, but you still cheered lustily for this defiant last stand. Defeat was inevitable, but Tom McColl and his men can be proud of holding back the relentless Japanese... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/1224846/hong-kong-make-japan-work-hard-victory?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/1224846/hong-kong-make-japan-work-hard-victory?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 27 Apr 2013 16:00:00 +0000 Hong Kong can pose a threat to Japan's dominance in Asia, says Brave Blossoms head coach Eddie Jones, but not today and only if the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union decides to go down the road of professionalism. Just a few days after it was confirmed the sevens programme will go full-time with the assistance of the Hong Kong Sports Institute, Jones suggested Asia's number one team would have to look over their shoulder if the HKRFU decided to follow suit with its 15s programme, too. "Hong Kong is... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/1224069/hong-kong-must-go-pro-test-japan-says-eddie-jones?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/1224069/hong-kong-must-go-pro-test-japan-says-eddie-jones?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 26 Apr 2013 16:00:00 +0000 The absence of Japan's new wing sensation, Kenki Fukuoka, is unlikely to stop the Asian juggernauts from putting Hong Kong to the sword in the Asian Five Nations Top Five competition tomorrow. Fukuoka, 20, thrilled home fans last Saturday when he scored with his first two touches of the ball after coming on as a second-half substitute against the Philippines. His brace was just a small part of the 18-try, 121-0 romp over the newly promoted side, but he is sidelined with a hamstring injury. It is... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/1223081/hong-kong-brace-japan-onslaught-despite-absence-star-wing-kenki?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/1223081/hong-kong-brace-japan-onslaught-despite-absence-star-wing-kenki?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 Apr 2013 16:00:00 +0000 Broken ribs have robbed Hong Kong of playmaker Chris McAdam, who will miss the second game in the Asian Five Nations Top Five competition against Japan on Saturday and probably the rest of the campaign, too. Flyhalf McAdam was hurt in the opening minutes of last Saturday's opener against the United Arab Emirates but it was thought that his injury was minor. Subsequent examination has confirmed the worst. "It was worse than we thought and his injury is a big blow," said head coach Leigh Jones.... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/1221643/chris-mcadam-likely-miss-rest-a5n-event-because-rib-injuries?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/1221643/chris-mcadam-likely-miss-rest-a5n-event-because-rib-injuries?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:00:00 +0000 "Ponderous" would be the perfect way to describe Hong Kong's performance in the opening game of the HSBC Asian Five Nations Top Five competition against the United Arab Emirates yesterday. It is strange that a 53-7 result should be depicted as such, but there was none of the fluidity expected from an eight-try romp and it was brave of captain Tom McColl and coach Leigh Jones to admit as much after the first hurdle in a crucial campaign, complicated by other objectives such as qualifying to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/1219520/hong-kong-rusty-eight-try-romp-over-uae?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/1219520/hong-kong-rusty-eight-try-romp-over-uae?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 20 Apr 2013 16:00:00 +0000 Hong Kong captain Tom McColl brushes aside suggestions that any "us versus them" scenario exists between his 15s team and the missing sevens stars. None of the 12 players in the sevens squad is available for the Asian Five Nations, which kicks off today, as they focus on their campaign to become an IRB Sevens World Series core team at next month's London Sevens. Hong Kong face United Arab Emirates at Hong Kong Football Club today - it was the sevens players who made up the backline and starred... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/1218603/no-rivalry-between-15s-and-sevens-says-skipper-mccoll?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/1218603/no-rivalry-between-15s-and-sevens-says-skipper-mccoll?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 19 Apr 2013 16:00:00 +0000 With four convincing wins in their last four meetings Hong Kong are odds-on favourites to crush the United Arab Emirates in the opening game of this season's Asian Five Nations Top Five competition at Hong Kong Football Club on Saturday, and opposing captain Brett Williams has candidly admitted that already. Williams was quoted in a UAE newspaper as saying his team have targeted two wins - against South Korea and the Philippines - as they fight to stay in the Top Five and thus ensure their place... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/1217638/uae-skipper-concedes-likely-hong-kong-win-asian-five-nations?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/1217638/uae-skipper-concedes-likely-hong-kong-win-asian-five-nations?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 18 Apr 2013 16:00:00 +0000 Kowloon loosehead prop Leon Wei will make his debut in the starting line-up for Hong Kong's opening encounter in the Asian Five Nations Top Five competition against the United Arab Emirates on Saturday. Wei is one of four new faces in the 22-strong squad named yesterday by head coach Leigh Jones, but is the only one who will start. The other debutants are DeA front-rower James Cooper, Hong Kong Football Club flanker Will Hunt and Hong Kong Scottish back Dave Whiteford. Wei has risen through the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/1216238/home-grown-prop-leon-wei-start-hong-kong-against-uae?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/1216238/home-grown-prop-leon-wei-start-hong-kong-against-uae?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 16 Apr 2013 16:00:00 +0000 Hong Kong will field a squad missing their Sevens players for the opening game in the Asian Five Nations against the United Arab Emirates at Hong Kong Football Club on Saturday but coach Leigh Jones was optimistic the job of staying in the Top Five could be done without the star complement. "We haven't included the 12 players who are in the sevens squad. We have been running separate programmes as there is more prominence on sevens and they have not been training with us. But I'm confident we... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1215437/sevens-players-out-hong-kong-squad-asian-five-nations-uae-clash?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/1215437/sevens-players-out-hong-kong-squad-asian-five-nations-uae-clash?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 15 Apr 2013 16:00:00 +0000 Hong Kong's match against South Korea in the Asian Five Nations Top Five competition is under a cloud with the Asian Rugby Football Union (Arfu) and the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union (HKRFU) concerned about tensions on the Korean peninsula. The threat of war could force South Korea's two home games next month in the 2015 World Cup qualifying preliminaries against Hong Kong and the Philippines to be relocated. "Right now we are playing a waiting game, constantly monitoring the situation on a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/1214661/korea-tensions-cloud-hong-kong-rugby-plans?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/1214661/korea-tensions-cloud-hong-kong-rugby-plans?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 14 Apr 2013 16:00:00 +0000 With my Sri Lankan hat on, I sat cheering wildly in the press box at the Havelocks Sports Club in Colombo as the home team smashed their way past Kazakhstan, 49-18, to secure a berth in next season's Asian Five Nations Top Five rugby union competition. There are times, especially in sport, when you are allowed a little excess and watching Sri Lanka romp past Kazakhstan, Thailand and Taiwan to book their seat at the top table aroused ardent emotions. It is the same when I watch Hong Kong... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1213984/lankans-herald-dawn-new-era?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1213984/lankans-herald-dawn-new-era?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 13 Apr 2013 16:00:00 +0000 Defending champions Hong Kong have named nine new caps for next month's Emirates Airline Cup of Nations (Econ) in Dubai as they go in hunt of a back division that will ensure Asia's number two team stay among the elite in the run-up to the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Among the crop of newcomers in the 28-strong squad named for test matches against Belgium, Zimbabwe and the United Arab Emirates are seven backs and two forwards, underlining the importance of unearthing fresh backline talent before next... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/1091531/hong-kong-rugby-sees-nine-newcomers-dubai-cup-nations?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/1091531/hong-kong-rugby-sees-nine-newcomers-dubai-cup-nations?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 26 Nov 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Young scrum-half Cado Lee will be the centre of attention as the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union takes the HSBC Asian Five Nations Top Five encounter against Kazakhstan into the 'heart of Kowloon and the local population' tomorrow. Lee, 20, made his first start in the A5N last Saturday in Tokyo against a rampant Japan. He will have more opportunities to show his skills with ball in hand against bottom-placed Kazakhstan, who are on the verge of being relegated from the elite competition. 'It was a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/1001888/young-hong-kong-scrum-half-takes-centre-stage-against?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/1001888/young-hong-kong-scrum-half-takes-centre-stage-against?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 24 May 2012 16:00:00 +0000 The heartbreaking loss to South Korea in the HSBC Asian Five Nations Top Five competition on Saturday is the perfect wake-up call for Hong Kong as they look towards qualifying for the 2015 World Cup, top official Trevor Gregory said yesterday. 'While it is disappointing to lose, it is better we lost now than two years from now when this tournament will serve as the Asian qualifiers for the World Cup when a place in the rep?chage competition is also available for the team finishing second,' said... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/1000313/loss-perfect-wake-call-hk-says-gregory?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/1000313/loss-perfect-wake-call-hk-says-gregory?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 06 May 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Hong Kong can expect a huge backlash as a young and hurting South Korean team aim to make a strong statement in the HSBC Asian Five Nations Top Five competition at Football Club today. Korean rugby's self-esteem nosedived two years ago when they were relegated from the elite group. To make matters worse, while they were battling to gain promotion last year, their long-standing No2 position in Asia, behind Japan, was taken by Hong Kong. South Korea captain and blindside flanker Youn Kwon-woo... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/1000140/hong-kong-wary-south-korean-backlash?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/1000140/hong-kong-wary-south-korean-backlash?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 04 May 2012 16:00:00 +0000 A few years ago, they used to cut off the hands of petty thieves and execute criminals at the dusty, pebble-strewn National Stadium in Kabul. Today those killing fields have turned into a field of dreams for aspiring rugby players in war-torn Afghanistan, a band of whom on Friday had their first taste of international rugby in Dubai. Five months ago, as military helicopters droned above, Aziz Ahmed and a small group of pioneers concentrated on the task at hand, passing a rugby ball, and tried to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/999584/blooming-hostile-territories?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/999584/blooming-hostile-territories?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Apr 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Afghanistan became the newest rugby playing country in the world this weekend as the International Rugby Board and top Asian officials rejoiced at the healthy state of the game globally. Afghanistan, who signed on as the 28th member of the Asian Rugby Football Union last November, had their first taste of international rugby when they played a three-game sevens series against a United Arab Emirates development side on the sidelines of the HSBC Asian Five Nations Top Five clash between Hong Kong... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/999589/afghans-join-ever-growing-asian-rugby-family?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/999589/afghans-join-ever-growing-asian-rugby-family?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Apr 2012 16:00:00 +0000 For the past six months, Phonpasith 'Ollo' Sansayya, has been doing odd jobs in Vientiane so he can raise money to realise a dream - to come to Hong Kong to watch the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens. That dream will become a reality next weekend for the Laos flanker after he plays in the Altus Kowloon RugbyFest. 'I have worked hard for the past six months to contribute to this trip,' says Ollo, part of a representative side of senior and under-20 national team players from Laos. They will... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/995834/long-held-dream-comes-true-battling-laos-player?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/995834/long-held-dream-comes-true-battling-laos-player?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 17 Mar 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Johnny Zhang Zhiqiang almost singlehandedly won China promotion to the HSBC Asian Five Nations Division Two next year when the recalled star scored 18 points, through a hat-trick of tries and a drop goal, as the mainland defeated Guam 28-18 in the Division Three final in Jakarta, Indonesia. Zhang, a familiar face with Hong Kong rugby fans having played many times at the Hong Kong Sevens, was called back to lead the national side and lift their flagging fortunes in 15s, where they had plummeted... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/971857/veteran-zhang-drives-china-win-a5n-promotion?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/971857/veteran-zhang-drives-china-win-a5n-promotion?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Jun 2011 16:00:00 +0000 Hong Kong's celebration over their best-ever world ranking - 27th - was tinged with disappointment that their final opponents in the HSBC Asian Five Nations Top Five competition, the United Arab Emirates, are still not members of the International Rugby Board. The newly formed UAE Rugby Association needs to play nine full internationals before the IRB will welcome it as its newest member. As such, last Saturday's 62-3 rout over the UAE counted for nothing when the IRB released its latest world... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/968688/hk-hit-best-ranking-and-it-could-have-been-better?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/968688/hk-hit-best-ranking-and-it-could-have-been-better?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 May 2011 16:00:00 +0000 It is a long way off, but Hong Kong can take a significant step towards realising their goal of one day playing in the World Cup by finishing second in the ARFU Asian Five Nations Top Five competition today. Tom McColl and his men take on surprise contenders United Arab Emirates in a winner-takes-all encounter at Hong Kong Football Club, kicking off at 4pm. With two away wins over Kazakhstan and Sri Lanka, and a feisty 45-22 loss to Japan, Hong Kong go into the game as favourites. Japan will... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/968335/hong-kong-out-lay-down-world-cup-marker?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/968335/hong-kong-out-lay-down-world-cup-marker?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 May 2011 16:00:00 +0000 Injury-hit Hong Kong will be missing winger Rowan Varty as they look to end their HSBC Asian Five Nations Top Five campaign in style against the United Arab Emirates at Hong Kong Football Club on Saturday. Varty, who badly damaged his shoulder against Sri Lanka, has been ruled out for three months. Winger Salom Yiu Kam-shing is also doubtful with a sore ankle also picked up in Colombo 11 days ago. The loss of Hong Kong's starting wingers will give the opportunity for Alex McQueen to begin his... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/968056/mcqueen-set-hong-kong-start?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/968056/mcqueen-set-hong-kong-start?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 17 May 2011 16:00:00 +0000 Coach Dai Rees is savouring the prospect of Hong Kong clinching their first second-place finish in the HSBC Asian Five Nations Top Five competition when the side take on the United Arab Emirates on May 21. 'There is now a great opportunity to finish in second place in front of our home crowd. We deserve to be second due to the hard work of the coaching staff, the management staff and above all the players,' Rees said. Hong Kong returned home yesterday after a seven-try 48-3 romp over Sri Lanka... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/967231/second-place-hk-five-nations-would-be-just-fine-says-rees?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/967231/second-place-hk-five-nations-would-be-just-fine-says-rees?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 08 May 2011 16:00:00 +0000 Barnstorming No 8 Pale Tauti will be one of seven players tasting action for the first time in the HSBC Asian Five Nations Top Five competition when Hong Kong open their 2011 campaign away to Kazakhstan on Saturday. It will not be the first cap for Tauti and the others, but the fact that almost half the team is changed from the one that took the field against the Arabian Gulf in the final game of last year's campaign is proof of the depth in the senior squad. 'We have seven players who will be... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/965557/seven-make-asian-five-nations-debuts-almaty?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/965557/seven-make-asian-five-nations-debuts-almaty?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 19 Apr 2011 16:00:00 +0000 Defeating South Korea in next month's HSBC Asian Five Nations is not top of the priority list for new Hong Kong coach Dai Rees. His main aim is to create a bigger pool of players who can consistently perform at the top level. Having dropped one bombshell by picking the unheralded Jon Abel as his captain for the top tier regional tournament on Thursday, Rees then carried on in his unconventional streak by saying victory over South Korea would take second place behind putting in place a structure... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/675664/bigger-player-base-way-forward-rees?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/675664/bigger-player-base-way-forward-rees?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Apr 2009 16:00:00 +0000 Hong Kong captain Semi Iafeta and Kazakhstan counterpart Timur Mashurov were yesterday involved in a face-off over the handsome prize for the winners of the inaugural HSBC Asian Five Nations at the end of this month - a richly handcrafted 8.4kg sterling silver trophy made in India. It is likely to be the closest either captain will ever come to the trophy donated to Asian rugby by the Calcutta Cricket and Football Club - the oldest surviving rugby club in the world outside the UK, having been... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/636099/hong-kong-pack-braced-blazing-attack?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/636099/hong-kong-pack-braced-blazing-attack?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 02 May 2008 16:00:00 +0000 Hong Kong will make two changes to the starting lineup for the second match in the HSBC Asian Five Nations against Kazakhstan with Andrew Wong Kee and Kris Marin being called up. The changes, one each in the backs (Wong Kee) and forwards (Marin), are expected to strengthen the home team which will confront a physical Kazakhstan challenge at the Hong Kong Football Club on Saturday (kick-off 4pm). 'We believe Kazakhstan will be a big and physical side. While I don't like to chop and change too... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/635839/wong-kee-and-marin-join-kazakh-fray?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/635839/wong-kee-and-marin-join-kazakh-fray?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 29 Apr 2008 16:00:00 +0000 Hong Kong has slipped three places in the IRB world rankings, to 30, as a result of their loss to Tunisia last weekend. But Hong Kong Rugby Football Union officials insisted the move to venture outside Asia and play new opponents was worth it. 'There is no shame in slipping down the rankings as the main goal in playing Tunisia was to use the two tests as a build-up to the Asian Five Nations,' said Ivan Torpey, HKRFU head of performance. Hong Kong met Tunisia for the first time in a fully fledged... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/633913/hong-kong-ranking-slips-after-tunisia-loss?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/633913/hong-kong-ranking-slips-after-tunisia-loss?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:00:00 +0000 Hong Kong's bid to retain its position as the number two team in Asia was given a boost after being handed 'the ideal draw' at the inaugural Asian Five Nations which kicks off in April. Ivan Torpey, head of performance at the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union, declared yesterday that the draw for the two home and two away games had panned out in Hong Kong's favour. 'It is the ideal draw for us. Not only do we have Kazakhstan, an unknown quantity as far as playing conditions is concerned, at home in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/625940/hong-kong-land-ideal-draw-tough-asia-tournament?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/625940/hong-kong-land-ideal-draw-tough-asia-tournament?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 11 Feb 2008 16:00:00 +0000 Hong Kong will figure prominently in the inaugural Asian Five Nations Championship to be held next April and May. The tournament, which will be run on the lines of the famous Six Nations, will be held annually and will replace the biennial Asian Rugby Football Tournament. 'It was decided at the last ARFU council [Asian Rugby Football Union] that a tournament on the lines of the Six Nations would replace the old ARFT competition, revealed Allan Payne, Hong Kong Rugby Football Union's executive... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/594929/hong-kong-join-asian-five-nations?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/fifteens/article/594929/hong-kong-join-asian-five-nations?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 30 May 2007 16:00:00 +0000 Just 10 years after they made their first faltering move on to the international rugby scene, China are now just a couple of steps away from joining the big boys of the region - Japan and South Korea - in the race to see who will represent Asia at next year's World Cup. 'We have come a long way since our first international back in 1997. We now have a good chance of being ranked third in Asia and I believe in another 10 years, we will be capable of challenging Japan and Korea too,' said China... https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/546768/china-brink-great-leap-towards-world-cup-finals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/rugby/article/546768/china-brink-great-leap-towards-world-cup-finals?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 28 Apr 2006 16:00:00 +0000 THE Hong Kong Rugby Football Union's (HKRFU) request to the world governing body for funds to develop the game in China has been met with a stony response and is likely to be turned down. The HKRFU had asked for a sum in the region of $250,000 from the International Rugby Settlement Trust to carry on pioneering the push of rugby into China. But it is known that the outcome will be unsuccessful. However, senior rugby officials in the territory pledged the development of the game in China... https://www.scmp.com/article/112543/prospects-grim-china-aid?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/112543/prospects-grim-china-aid?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 30 Mar 1995 16:00:00 +0000