‘Surprise’ call-up for local favourite Cado Lee as Hong Kong face Cook Islands in second leg of Rugby World Cup qualifier
Leigh Jones’ men hold the advantage after winning the first leg last week as they look to take one step closer to the finals in Japan
Leg two of Hong Kong’s most important game in rugby history is fast approaching but local star and “surprise” addition Cado Lee Ka-to insists the team are flying with confidence after their 26-3 away-tie trouncing of the Cook Islands last week.
“Certainly, from where we were a few years back to now, the whole team – especially the forwards – has improved a lot,” said 26-year-old Lee, who did not travel to Rarotonga but is scheduled to make a rare start against the South Pacific outfit at Hong Kong Football Club on Saturday.
The aggregate winners move into a four-team repechage, just one stage away from qualifying for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, its inaugural Asia event.
“It’s surprising,” said Lee, who focused on passing distribution and movement during the team training on Friday evening. “Liam [Slatem] got a knock in the game last week so Leigh [Jones] called me up to fill the number nine spot because he felt we play a similar style.
“Everyone has been excellent and know their roles; it gives us confidence. I just have to play mine and focus on what I need to do: get my passes to the [fly-half] and play with the forwards,” said Hong Kong sevens regular Lee, who spent much of last season in the Japan Top League with NEC Green Rockets.