Hong Kong U-19s close in on fourth straight Asia Rugby title
Peter Drewett’s side beat Sri Lanka 61-0 in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday ahead of Saturday’s decider against hosts Malaysia
Hong Kong moved within touching distance of securing a fourth straight Asia Rugby U-19 Championship and a place at next year’s World Rugby Junior Trophy after posting an impressive 61-0 mauling of Sri Lanka on Tuesday in Malaysia.
Flanker Oliver Overman scored a hat-trick and winger Marcus Ramage added a brace of tries, with winger James Karton and fullback Matthew Worley also touching down at UPM Sports Centre in Kuala Lumpur.
Hong Kong earlier beat Taiwan 54-8, and Peter Drewett’s side will play hosts Malaysia on Saturday, with the 2016 Asia Rugby U-19 Championship winner also representing the region at August’s World Rugby Junior Trophy in Uruguay.
“Malaysia is a really good outfit. They nearly beat Sri Lanka in the opening round and they have some very tough and physical forwards and a good back line. We have been analysing them carefully since that opening performance to ensure we are ready come Saturday,” said Drewett.
“We are very pleased with the performance put in by the boys today. The team has worked very hard over the last few days to prepare and I was delighted to see that training come out on the pitch. Sri Lanka is a very good side but we played without fear today.
“It was an all-out team performance. The forwards put in a huge work rate in the opening half and really established a good platform that the backs were able to exploit.”
Hong Kong coach Leigh Jones rings the changes for Cup of Nations clash with Zimbabwe
Hong Kong will enter Saturday’s match against Malaysia in fairly good health, considering the challenge of playing three top-flight matches in a matter of days.
Lock Hugo Fernstrom picked up an injury in the opener against Taiwan, but is hopeful of featuring against Malaysia.
