Intrigue and angst on the cards as Tigers go for repeat feat against Valley
A topsy-turvy HKRU Premiership bounces back into action Saturday with a clash between two hard-hitting league titans taking second billing to Borrelli Walsh USRC Tigers’ push to continue their fairytale start to the 2015-16 season.
While league runners-up Bloomberg HK Scottish look to put an opening-round loss behind them when they travel to defending league champions Leighton Asia HKCC most, if not all, eyes will be glued to the Tigers-Valley match-up in Happy Valley.
Last weekend, against a newly rebuilt and strengthened Natixis HKFC, Tigers recorded their first league win in two-and-a-bit seasons, winning 26-14.
Against HKFC we controlled the game for long periods and will need to replicate that this week… We enter the match [against Valley] with self belief on the back of a good display
While a repeat this Saturday seems unlikely – away to defending Grand Champions Societe Generale Valley – confidence is running high in the Tigers camp.
“This week is a big challenge,” coach Craig Stewart said. “[But] it is important for us to build on the success of our first game. Against HKFC we controlled the game for long periods and will need to replicate that this week.
“The guys fought hard for that win and got their reward. We know that Valley are always a tough proposition – if you give them any opportunities they will punish you. But we enter the match with self belief on the back of a good display.”
However, Stewart said the team’s efforts will be hampered by the absence of a few key backs, namely Braam Gerber (work commitments) and Tyler Spitz, who rolled his ankle during training this week.
Close contests are expected between HKFC Ice and USRC Tigers, who have three players in Colombo, and Kowloon Ladies versus CWB Phoenix.
Sam Feausi, HKRU women’s development manager, said the absence of some players was a positive.
HK Scottish, meanwhile, face a challenging early season schedule and follow up last week’s loss to Valley with an away trip to Aberdeen on Saturday to play last year’s league champions HKCC.
“The league opener was frustrating for us,” said Scottish coach Craig Hammond. “Credit to Valley, they are a strong side and the [wet] weather may have played to some of their strengths a bit but we were in it through half-time. Both of their tries came off our mistakes and they capitalised well on their opportunities.
“But there was much in that game we can learn from and I was pleased with the squad’s reaction after the match. They were putting a lot of pressure on themselves to eliminate those errors. That will be crucial ahead of the match with HKCC.”
“We are really excited for round two. We’ve got to go out and do it all again against a very good side. They are not a team that leaks a lot of points,” added Hammond.
HKCC coach Deacon Manu recognises his opponents as “an attractive side who are well coached”.
“We know we have to pick our game up against them. We’ve been working on some technical aspects this week, including reviewing the video of last week’s Scottish game.”
HKFC and Sabre Kowloon – who face off at Sports Road on Saturday –both hope to get their season back on track after disappointing losses last weekend.
“We didn’t really turn up last weekend, which was hugely disappointing,” said HKFC director of rugby Will Thomas. “We just weren’t there mentally and we didn't respect the less-than-ideal [wet] conditions or the opposition. We are missing nine or 10 important players but that is no excuse.
“I thought Kowloon played quite well, despite losing [26-10 to HKCC]. This week is going to be another battle. They are traditionally strong up front and that is where the game could be won or lost,” added Thomas.
