Rugby World Cup: Hong Kong coach challenges side to ‘give a performance’ against Kenya with only pride at stake
- Lewis Evans hopes to leave the United Arab Emirates with some momentum as he plans for the future
- Head coach admits to ‘disappointment’ after defeats by USA and Portugal, ahead of last appearance at Sevens Stadium
Hong Kong wrap up their Rugby World Cup qualifying campaign in Dubai on Friday with a game against Kenya that has little more than pride at stake.
Defeats at the hands of Portugal and the USA, two sides who will battle it out in the day’s second game for the right to play in France next year, ended Hong Kong’s competitive interest in the competition, but that does not render the game meaningless by any stretch.
Leaving the United Arab Emirates with a win would give Lewis Evans and his coaching staff some momentum as they plan for the future, and he has challenged his side to “give a performance” in their last appearance at The Sevens Stadium.
“Obviously there is some disappointment, we certainly believed we were capable of challenging these teams,” Evans said. “Full credit to Portugal and USA, they both played very well. Our job now is to beat Kenya, we’ve had two games to reflect on our performances and also we’ve had two games to prepare for Kenya.
“As long as we play our game we’ll be successful, and the biggest thing, and I’ve challenged all the boys, is to give a performance and the result will come.”
As with the USA game, Evans has made some changes to his starting line-up and the front row gets a reshuffle, with Ashton Hyde and Johnnie McCormick-Houston starting at loose-head and hooker instead of Alexander Post, who misses out entirely, and Ben Higgins, who is named among the replacements.