Chiefs development side edge Hong Kong training squad

The Chiefs development team from New Zealand scored twice in the last three minutes to beat the Hong Kong training squad 28-14 in a practice match at Hong Kong Football Club on Saturday.

The match was the centrepiece of activities marking the launch of a three-year development partnership announced earlier last week between the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union and the Chiefs Super Rugby franchise.

The match proved a useful hit-out for Hong Kong, who rested most of their sevens players after back-to-back tournaments in Hong Kong and Tokyo, as coach Andrew Hall prepares his side for the Asia Rugby Championship at the end of this month.

Hall said: “I’m fairly pleased with the result. We didn’t know what to expect from the opposition. They are young but they are a professional outfit coming from a Super Rugby franchise and our boys fronted up. I’m disappointed that we let in that last try but there are a lot of positives to take from today.”

Hong Kong took an early lead after prop John Aikman scored in the eighth minute. Fly-half Chris McAdam’s conversion put Hong Kong ahead 7-0.

Ryuta Yasui hit back with a try for the tourists in the 17th minute and captain Codey Rei added the conversion, the first of four for him on the afternoon, to level the score at 7-7.