Hong Kong’s women’s 15s squad look to resume 2021 Rugby World Cup dream – ‘the girls are ready to go’

The squad were set to host Japan and Kazakhstan at home in the hope of booking the Asian slot for the 2021 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand

Head coach Jo Hull says the team have been staying fit during the lockdown and are now working towards training together as a team

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Hong Kong’s women’s 15s team after their first game in Holland. Photo: HKRU

Published: 1:17pm, 22 May 2020Updated: 10:16pm, 22 May 2020

Before the coronavirus swept across the planet in the early months of 2020, cancelling sport everywhere, Hong Kong’s women’s 15-a-side squad stood at the gates of an incredibly important tournament.

March was supposed to be the date of the 2020 Asia Rugby Championship, scheduled for Hong Kong over a number of weekends against Japan and Kazakhstan. The winner of the tournament would have booked the Asian slot for the 2021 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand from September 18 to October 16.

Head coach Jo Hull oozed confidence in her squad heading into the tournament, coming off a successful tour of Holland in November of 2019, beating the Netherlands (ranked 17th in the world) twice.

“We knew we were going to be in a tough position heading into (the Asian Rugby Championship),” said Hull, who has been coaching the team since 2015. “But equally in a good position to have the opportunity to be competitive for that first and second spot.”

Jo Hull said she hopes to get back to regular training sessions with her squad soon. Photo: HKRU

Hong Kong are ranked 19th in the world, behind Japan (12th) and Kazakhstan (15th). Hull said the team were targeting winning the tournament, or coming second, which would have qualified them for a repechage with three other teams for the final spot at the World Cup.