Teenager Hugo Stiles looking to earn first senior cap for Hong Kong
Fullback impressed coaches in IRB U20s tournament and will be in contention for Asian Five Nations
Feisty under-20 fullback Hugo Stiles will be pushing for a place in the Hong Kong senior team who face an intense start to their 2015 World Cup qualifying campaign when they meet the Philippines in the opener of the Asian Five Nations Top Five tournament at home on Saturday.
Stiles is one of several members of the Hong Kong squad who played at the just-concluded IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy who have caught the eye of Dai Rees, and the teenager will be in contention after the opening game against the Philippines at Hong Kong Football Club.
"Obviously, they need a week off after a tough tournament but guys like Hugo, who was superb at fullback and has a great kicking game, will be pushing for senior honours in the next two games," said Rees, who is the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union's head of technical development and performance."
We face three intense games in 14 days and it will all be about managing the players. Our priority is to try to qualify for the World Cup, but we will have to be smart about using the players
Other youngsters identified by Rees were all forwards and include Under-20 captain Mike Parfitt, Alexander Post, Zac Cinnamond, Mike Coverdale and Chris Maize.
"We face three intense games in 14 days and it will all be about managing the players," Rees said. "Our priority is to try to qualify for the World Cup, but we will have to be smart about using the players."
Nick Hewson, who captained Hong Kong in the home tests against Belgium last December, will lead the team again, but will start on the bench against the Philippines as Rees and the Hong Kong management look at conserving key players. Hewson is also part of the sevens squad.
"Nick will start on the bench and Pale [Tauti] will play alongside guys like Matt Lamming and Mark Goosen. We have enough cover and depth in the back row to be able to do this," Rees said.
Two other members of the sevens squad, fly half Ben Rimene and centre Lee Jones, will miss the first game. Rimene is out for the entire campaign having undergone an operation on his groin while Jones who had an ankle injury, is hopeful of returning to action next week when Hong Kong travel to Sri Lanka.
Hong Kong are well-stocked in both positions with Chris McAdam, Niall Rowark, Jamie Hood as well as Nick Wheatley all available for the pivotal slot while in midfield Hong Kong Football Club centres Jake Phelps and Lloyd Jones, the latter newly qualified, are in contention.
The 14 days starting from Saturday will be crucial to Hong Kong's hopes of qualifying for the World Cup. After the Philippines, Hong Kong travel to Colombo to take on Sri Lanka (May 3) followed by hosting South Korea (May 10) at home. They have a break before rounding off the tournament against favourites Japan in Tokyo (May 24).
Asian champions Japan are fancied to book the direct berth given to Asia for the World Cup and Hong Kong's eyes are on finishing second and grabbing the repechage spot against Uruguay.
