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Festive wishes for Christmas and the New Year to all rugby players and supporters. Looking ahead to the holiday, if Santa and the elves could assist with any of the following gifts, I would be very grateful.
On the first day of Christmas, Rugby Santa gave to me … a Premiership title for my club HKCC
On the second day of Christmas, Rugby Santa gave to me … a modern 50,000-seater covered stadium and sports complex
Three French locks
	Four new Premiership clubs
	Five golden rings (that’s Hong Kong qualifying for the 2016 Rio Olympics)
	Six qualified referees
	Sevens team making the IRB core circuit
	Eight dominant forwards in the pack
	Nine – a halfback that would pass
	Ten grounds for each HK club
	Eleven players diving (oops, that’s round ball)
	Twelve coaches coaching
And a Premiership and Grand Final championship for HKCC
On New Year’s day, there will be plenty of top quality age group rugby at Hong Kong Football Club.
What better way to start the New Year than watching the most exciting young talent in our rugby community, as the boys and girls from U12 to U19 show off their skills.
The U16 and U19 games remain Hong Kong versus overseas students.
The U19 game has increased importance this year as it is a massive opportunity to impress the national selectors in the lead up to April’s IRB Junior World Trophy, which is being hosted in Hong Kong for the first time.
The Paul Y Premiership recommences at Happy Valley 8 on Tuesday, January 7 at 8:00pm with the catch-up game between league leaders Leighton Asia HKCC and second-placed WhichWay Valley. This is a make-up game from the second round that will go a long way to determining league favourites.
It also doubles as a Broony Quaich match with HKCC having their first chance to challenge for this prestigious trophy.
Both sides look to be at full strength with HKCC’s seven test internationals all available, with hooker Ben Roberts and sevens star Tom McQueen returning from injury.
Valley also have their stars available with Hong Kong 15s captain and sevens rep Nick Hewson leading his team.
The tenth round is on January 11 with all the top teams in action. There will be only five rounds left until the Grand Championship and, with only the top four clubs making the grade, the competition is expected to be fierce.
HKCC and Valley look to have done enough to get there, unless they massively overdose on the Christmas Turkey and pudding, but it’s still all to play for, as on their day any club can knock off another.
For those with longish memories, HKCC were leading at the Christmas break last season only to stumble and finish third behind Kowloon and Club, just squeaking past Hong Kong Scottish. A resurgent Valley hit their straps at the business end of the season and despite finishing fifth in the league they were unstoppable in the playoffs.
It’s all still to play for, which really isn’t a bad Christmas present for local rugby fans.


Twelve days of Christmas, rugby style

The game's stars of tomorrow will light up the field at Hong Kong Football Club on New Year's Day. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Sport

Rugby

Expresses the views, ideas and conclusions of the author. (Eg. Enough of Crazy Rich Asians, think of crazy poor Hongkongers.)


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Director’s Discourse

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Director’s Discourse | Twelve days of Christmas, rugby style

Director’s Discourse | Twelve days of Christmas, rugby style