Rugby’s north vs south ‘grand final’: Hong Kong union open to idea of hosting
- Proposed new global league could culminate in grand final between the best of the northern and southern hemispheres, it is reported
- Hong Kong ‘is a great option’, says boss of the city’s rugby union after it is suggested as a potential venue for the final
Hong Kong rugby chiefs have welcomed reports that the city could host the final of a new global tournament between the best sides in the northern and southern hemispheres.
According to a story by UK outlet The Telegraph, the sport’s governing body World Rugby has agreed on a blueprint for a new global league through which a final would take place every two years. It would also involve the ring-fencing of the present Six Nations Championship.
The new format, which is expected to be confirmed by the time of the World Cup in France in September, would only include games from the test windows in the northern hemisphere’s summer and autumn. It is expected to begin from 2026.
Made up of two groups of six teams from each hemisphere, the tournament would involve countries from the Six Nations and the southern hemisphere’s Rugby Championship, with Fiji and Japan also included.
Robbie McRobbie, the chief executive of the Hong Kong Rugby Union, said that his organisation had “read with interest” the report about the new tournament, “and the suggestion that if such a competition was to be staged then Hong Kong would be a possible venue for the grand final”.
“Whilst we have no further insight as to the veracity of the story, we are always happy to have our union and city associated with exciting new international sports events,” McRobbie said.
Hong Kong has a strong track record of hosting major rugby events outside its landmark Sevens tournament, with two Bledisloe Cup matches between Australia and New Zealand, a British & Irish Lions tour opener and a Super Rugby match all having been held in the city previously.
“Next year we’re looking forward to the opening of the new, state-of-the-art Kai Tak Stadium, so Hong Kong is a great option for international matches,” McRobbie said.
According to The Telegraph, a senior source said that the new tournament would add “a competitive north-v-south narrative” but would not affect the World Cup or Lions tours.
“There is also the possibility for emerging nations to participate in it through a development phase below,” the source said. “Some pathway between the two at some point would be in the great interest of the game.”
Although a venue is still being discussed, Hong Kong has been floated as a high-profile neutral location that could enhance the profile of the league and help to grow a new audience.
