Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Hong Kong keep cool to beat Chile, setting up pool decider against favourites France in men’s repechage
- Tide-turning game sees Hong Kong down between halves as captain Woodward thanks team for ‘saving my bacon’ after being sent to sin bin
- ‘We want to win this tournament,’ says Woodward as Hong Kong face toughest test yet against France on Sunday
Hong Kong overcame a fright against Chile to win their second men’s pool game 26-15 in the World Rugby Sevens Repechage on Saturday.
Quick thinking from Raef Morrison allowed Hong Kong to break the line for an early try in what looked like much of the same after their previous win.
However, the tide appeared to turn as Paul John’s side gave away a couple of penalties before Chile’s Benjamin de Vidts took advantage of the stoppages.
Hong Kong captain Max Woodward was handed a yellow card for following up late on de Vidts, opening a big space in Monaco’s Stade Louis II and shifting the momentum. Julio Blanc scored almost immediately to take a 10-7 lead at half-time.
Underdogs Chile looked to be on their way to a pool upset as Baltazar Jana scored early into the second half, with Jamie Hood stretchered off after clutching his knee.
Winger Salom Yiu Kam-shing added to his tournament tally after a fortunate break, with man of the match Russell Webb converting to close the gap.