2019 Rugby World Cup Repechage: Hong Kong must-win against Kenya and get help from Germany and Canada
- Hong Kong men’s rugby team head into their second game of the repechage tomorrow in Marseille in a win or go home scenario
- Although not yet eliminated, their chances of advancing are slim
Losing to Germany in the first game of the repechage was definitely not part of the game plan for Hong Kong’s men’s 15s side, and now the team needs Lady Luck to help them advance to the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.
Their second game against Kenya who are ranked 29th, starts at 8pm Saturday (Hong Kong time) is a must-win for the team, and will be streamed live at the Hong Kong Rugby Union link below.
Hong Kong are now ranked 24th (they dropped three spots after losing to Germany, who gained three spots and now sit at 26th). Canada jumped two spots to 21st after their 65-19 defeat of Kenya, who dropped one spot after the loss.
Hong Kong currently have zero points heading into their match against Kenya, who also have zero points. Germany, who beat Hong Kong in the first game 26-9, have four points, and Canada have five points (they got a bonus point for scoring four or more tries).
There’s countless scenarios that could play out given teams also get one point for losing by seven or less and two for a tie. Hong Kong would benefit most from a tie in the Germany versus Canada game, and a win over Kenya by four or more tries to nab a bonus point.
Hong Kong’s fate, if not yet sealed after this weekend, will still rest on them beating Canada on November 23 in the final game of the repechage.