Tag: 852sport

Women’s Rugby World Cup – Pool A Preview

Hong Kong are in Pool A at the Women’s Rugby World Cup, here’s a preview of the teams they’ll face:

Canada

Best finish: Runners-up (2014)
Worst finish: Seventh (2012)
Women’s Rugby World Cup record: Played 33 / Won 17 / Lost 14 / Drawn 2
Women’s Rugby World Cup points scored: 724
Most capped player in squad: Kelly Russell, 48 caps
Website: www.rugbycanada.ca

Did you know…? Canada became the fourth nation to contest a Women’s Rugby World Cup final in 2014, going down 21-9 to England in Paris.

Coach: Francois Ratier
Captain: Kelly Russell

One to watch: Elissa Alarie
Described by her coach as a “game-changer” and a team-mate as “the magician” because of the x-factor she brings to the Canadian backline, Alarie is one of 18 members of the 2017 squad who reached the WRWC 2014 final in France. On that day in the French capital injuries meant she started at scrum-half and, while she was a livewire in the unfamiliar position, she’s far more at home out on the wing – just ask New Zealand flyer Portia Woodman who had the job of stopping her when the Pool A rivals met in the International Women’s Rugby Series in June! A try-scorer in that 28-16 defeat to the Black Ferns, Alarie has played sevens and 15s for Canada and will be looking to put her pace and quick feet to good use over the next three weeks in Dublin and Belfast.

Squad: Elissa Alarie (Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue RFC), Emily Belchos (Westshore RFC), Tyson Beukeboom (Aurora Barbarians) Latoya Blackwood (Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue RFC), Andrea Burk (Capilano RFC) Olivia DeMerchant (Woodstock Wildmen), Jacey Grusnick (Aurora Barbarians), Chelsea Guthrie (Stratchona Druids), Magali Harvey (Club de Rugby de Quebec), Lori Josephson (Aurora Barbarians), Brittany Kassil (Guelph Redcoats), Jane Kirby (Highland Fergus Rugby Club), Kayla Mack (Saskatoon Wild Oats), Carolyn McEwen (Burnaby Lake RFC), DaLeaka Menin (Calgary Hornets), Barbara Mervin (Westshore RFC), Brianna Miller (Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue RFC), Chelsey Minter (Westshore RFC), Cindy Nelles (Belleville Bulldogs), Karen Paquin (Club de Rugby de Quebec), Frederique Rajotte (Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue RFC), Laura Russell (Toronto Nomads), Kelly Russell (captain, Toronto Nomads), Kristy Sargent (Leprechaun Tigers), Alex Tessier (Montreal Barbarians), Amanda Thornborough (Westshore RFC), Brittany Waters (Meraloma Athletic Club), Julianne Zussman (Castaway Wanderers).

Hong Kong

Tournament debut
Most capped player in squad: Chow Mei Nam
Website: www.hkrugby.com

Did you know…? Hong Kong are the only squad at WRWC 2017 with a female coach in Jo Hull. Incidentally their sevens coach is also female in Anna Richards, a four-time Women’s Rugby World Cup winner with New Zealand.

Coach: Jo Hull
Captain: Chow Mei Nam

One to watch: Kelsie Bouttle
To say that the last few months have been a whirlwind for the centre is a massive understatement. Fresh from her first season of senior rugby with Valley, she joined the Hong Kong training squad in May and subsequently made her test debut in the 58-0 loss to Japan in the opening of the Asia Rugby Women’s Championship last month, impressing coach Jo Hull enough to keep her place for the return match and then make the 28-strong squad for Hong Kong’s debut on the Women’s Rugby World Cup stage. The 18-year-old is a product of the national age-grade programme and the experiences she is able to gather from WRWC 2017 will only benefit the next generation when she shares them with her team-mates on her return.

Forwards: Chow Mei-Nam (Captain); Chan Ka-Yan; Chan Leong-Sze, Royce; Chan Tsz-Ching, Agnes; Cheng Ka-Chi, Christy; Cheung Shuk-Han, Jasmine; Christine Gordon; Lau Nga-Wun, Tammy; Lee Ka-Shun; Pun Wai-Yan; Amelie Seure; Siu Wing-Ni, Winnie; So Hoi-Ting, Karen; Tsang Sin-Yan; Wong Yuen-Shan.

Backs: Adrienne Garvey (Vice Captain); Chong Ka-Yan; Chor Lik-Fung, Laurel; Kelsie Bouttle; Ho Wai-On, Jessica; Rose Hopewell-Fong Siu-Lan; Lau Sze-Wa; Lee Tsz-Ting; Mak Ho-Yee, Chloe; Natasha Olson-Thorne; Poon Pak-Yan, Aggie; Colleen Tjosvold; Lindsay Varty.

New Zealand

Nickname: Black Ferns
Best finish: Champions (1998, 2002, 2006, 2010)
Worst finish: Fifth (2014)
Women’s Rugby World Cup record: Played 27 / Won 25 / Lost 2
Women’s Rugby World Cup points scored: 1,227
Most capped player in squad: Fiao’o Faamausili, 47 caps
Website: www.allblacks.com

Did you know…? The Black Ferns won 20 Women’s Rugby World Cup matches in a row after losing to 7-0 to USA in the 1991 semi-finals … until Ireland shocked them with a 17-14 win in the pool stages in 2014.

Coach: Glenn Moore
Captain: Fiao’o Faamausili

One to watch: Kendra Cocksedge
Don’t be fooled by her diminutive stature as the Black Ferns’ number nine is one of the best players in the world, blessed with the vision to spot a gap in the defence and the quick feet to dart through it and race away to score herself or put a team-mate away. Named the World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year in 2015, the 29-year-old has been at her sniping best this year, scoring four tries in the International Women’s Rugby Series in June, including a brace against Pool A rivals Canada in a 28-16 win. The most experienced member of the New Zealand backline, her half-back partnership with Kelly Brazier will be key to unleash the dangerous outside backs as the Black Ferns bit to win a fifth title.

Forwards: Aldora Itunu (Auckland), Toka Natua (Waikato), Aleisha Nelson (Auckland), Sosoli Talawadua (Waikato), Fiao’o Faamausili – captain (Auckland), Becky Wood (North Harbour), Charmaine Smith (North Harbour), Eloise Blackwell (Auckland), Charmaine McMenamin (Auckland), Les Ketu (Bay of Plenty), Linda Itunu (Auckland), Rawinia Everitt (Counties Manukau), Sarah Goss (Manawatu), Te-Kura Ngata-Aerengamate (Counties Manukau), Aroha Savage (Counties Manukau), Aotearoa (Katie) Mata’u (Counties Manukau).

Backs: Stacey Waaka (Waikato), Kelly Brazier (Bay of Plenty), Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali (Counties Manukau), Kendra Cocksedge (Canterbury), Kristina Sue (Manawatu), Hazel Tubic (Counties Manukau), Renee Wickliffe (Counties Manukau), Portia Woodman (Counties Manukau), Selica Winiata (Manawatu), Carla Hohepa (Waikato), Theresa Fitzpatrick (Auckland), Chelsea Alley (Waikato)

Wales

Best finish: Fourth (1994)
Worst finish: 11th (1998)
Women’s Rugby World Cup record: Played 24 / Won 9 / Lost 14 / Drawn 1
Women’s Rugby World Cup points scored: 485
Most capped player in squad: Elen Evans, 68 caps
Website: www.wru.co.uk

Did you know…? On the day the Welsh squad was announced, its youngest member Lleucu George won a bronze medal in rugby sevens at the Commonwealth Youth Games in the Bahamas.

Coach: Rowland Phillips
Captain: Carys Phillips

One to watch: Keira Bevan
The scrum-half had barely been playing the game six months when the last World Cup took place in 2014, but before that year had ended she’d already played for Wales in sevens. Her test debut swiftly followed, two months shy of her 18th birthday, against England in February 2015 in Wales’ historic 13-0 victory and before the Six Nations had finished she’d a first start under her belt against the Italians. The 20-year-old has made the scrum-half spot her own over the last couple of years with her energetic displays in Welsh team building for the future and has 14 caps to her name.

Forwards: Alisha Butchers (Scarlets); Mel Clay (Ospreys); Amy Evans (Ospreys); Lleucu George (Scarlets); Cerys Hale (Dragons); Sioned Harries (Scarlets); Morfudd Ifans (Scarlets); Kelsey Jones (Ospreys); Siwan Lillicrap (Ospreys); Carys Phillips (captain, Ospreys); Shona Powell-Hughes (Ospreys); Gwenllian Pyrs (Scarlets); Rebecca Rowe (Dragons); Rachel Taylor (Scarlets); Caryl Thomas (Scarlets); Megan York (Dragons).

Backs: Keira Bevan (Ospreys); Elen Evans (Scarlets); Jodie Evans (Scarlets); Rebecca De Filippo (Dragons); Dyddgu Hywel (Scarlets); Hannah Jones (Scarlets); Jasmine Joyce (Scarlets); Sian Moore (Dragons); Jess Kavanagh-Williams (Scarlets); Gemma Rowland (Dragons); Elinor Snowsill (Dragons); Robyn Wilkins (Ospreys).

Additional reporting: World Rugby
Images: copyright their respective owners

 

Women’s Rugby World Cup: The Story So Far

As the start of the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup looms large, bc takes a stroll down memory lane to the seven previous editions of the Cup for a feel of the historical stage Hong Kong are about to grace.

Hong Kong will become the 19th nation to grace the showpiece of the women’s game, while only defending champions England, USA, France and Canada can lay claim to being part of every edition.

Ireland 2017 will be the eighth chapter in a Women’s Rugby World Cup story that began in Wales in April 1991 when USA were crowned the inaugural champions after defeating England 19-6 defeat in the final.

The 2014 Cup was broadcast to a record 167 countries and the 2017 tournament is expected to have an even greater reach and be the most competitive tournament to date.

Women’s Rugby World Cup 1991

Twelve teams took part in the inaugural tournament. Hosts Wales, Canada, England, France, Italy, Japan, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, Sweden, USA and the USSR with the teams split into four pools of three.

England, France, New Zealand and USA progressed to the semi-finals, but it was there that the challenges of Les Bleues and the Black Ferns ended.

England led 6-3 at the break in the final at Cardiff Arms Park after Gill Burns converted a penalty try, but nothing could stop USA from claiming the country’s first – and last – major trophy since the men’s team
won Olympic gold in 1924, as they reeled off 16 points without reply.

Host nation: Wales
Dates: 6-14 April, 1991

Pool 1 – New Zealand, Canada, Wales
Pool 2 – France, Sweden, Japan
Pool 3 – USA, Netherlands, USSR
Pool 4 – England, Spain, Italy

Semi-finals
New Zealand 0-7 USA
England 13-0 France

Final
USA 19-6 England

Women’s Rugby World Cup 1994

To avoid clashing with the men’s Rugby World Cup as the inaugural tournament had done in 1991, the second edition of the women’s event came just three years later in Edinburgh with Kazakhstan, Ireland and hosts Scotland making their debuts.

Amsterdam had been due to host, but when the Dutch pulled out Scotland stepped in with just three months to go and even fielded a Scottish Students side to compensate for Spain’s withdrawal and keep the 12-team line-up.

It was evident from early on that the 1991 finalists were again the teams to beat as USA and England duly cruised to another title decider. This time, however, England exacted revenge in a hugely entertaining contest, winning 38-23 with flanker Gill Burns, centre Jacquie Edwards and full-back Jane Mitchell scoring tries and captain Karen Almond kicking 13 points

Host nation: Scotland
Dates: 11-24 April, 1994

Pool A – USA, Sweden, Japan
Pool B – England, Scotland, Russia
Pool C – France, Ireland, Scottish Students
Pool D – Canada, Wales, Kazakhstan

Semi-finals
USA 56-15 Wales
England 18-6 France

Final
England 38-23 USA

Women’s Rugby World Cup 1998

Four years after originally intended, Amsterdam did host a 16-team tournament which saw first appearances for Germany and Australia and the returns of New Zealand and Spain after missing the 1994 event.

New Zealand, led by their inspirational hooker Farah Palmer, quickly emerged as the biggest threat to previous winners USA and England as the trio were joined in the last four by Canada.

Defending champions England had been ruthless in the pool stages, as had the Black Ferns with a record 134-6 defeat of Germany, to produce the semi-final everyone wanted to see. It was a one-sided affair, though, with the 44-11 win a sign of the domination New Zealand were beginning.

USA swept aside Canada equally impressively in the other semi-final but had no answer in the title decider, Vanessa Cootes scoring four of New Zealand’s eight tries in a 44-12 victory to ensure a third champion in as many tournaments.

Host nation: Netherlands
Dates: 1-16 May, 1998

Pool A – England, Canada, Netherlands, Sweden
Pool B – USA, Spain, Wales, Russia
Pool C – New Zealand, Scotland, Italy, Germany
Pool D – France, Australia, Kazakhstan, Ireland

Semi-finals
USA 46-6 Canada
England 11-44 New Zealand

Final
New Zealand 44-12 USA

Women’s Rugby World Cup 2002

Spain were the next hosts of a tournament that would set new standards of excellence in terms of skill and fitness. Samoa enjoyed a dream debut with a 22-0 win over Ireland, but England and New Zealand appeared destined for the final.

The Olympic Stadium in Barcelona provided a fitting backdrop for a final screened live in the middle of the night in New Zealand. The 8,000 crowd in the stands were treated to a blend of tactical awareness, gritty forward play and attacking rugby as the Black Ferns successfully defended their crown with a 19-9 victory, Monique Hirovanaa and Cheryl Waaka scoring the tries in the title decider.

Host nation: Spain
Dates: 12-26 May, 2002

Pool A – New Zealand, Australia, Wales, Germany
Pool B – France, USA, Kazakhstan, Netherlands
Pool C – England, Spain, Italy, Japan
Pool D – Canada, Scotland, Samoa, Ireland

Semi-finals
New Zealand 30-0 France
Canada 10-53 England

Final
England 9-19 New Zealand

Women’s Rugby World Cup 2006

WRWC 2006 broke new ground as the first tournament held outside of Europe, South Africa making their debut in Canada as the bar was raised once more by the 12 teams. It was the usual suspects in the semi-finals, though, with France and Canada unable to prevent another New Zealand-England final.

New Zealand’s backs had taken women’s rugby onto a new level with the triumvirate of Amiria Marsh, Stephanie Mortimer and Claire Richardson in particular impressive throughout. The final was another close affair, only settled when Marsh scored in the dying minutes for a 25-17 win to give Black Ferns captain Palmer the perfect send-off.

Host nation: Canada
Dates: 31 August-17 September, 2006

Pool A – New Zealand, Spain, Kazakhstan
Pool B – England, Australia, Ireland
Pool C – France, USA, South Africa
Pool D – Canada, Scotland, Samoa

Semi-finals
New Zealand 40-10 France
Canada 6-10 England

Final
England 17-25 New Zealand

Women’s Rugby World Cup 2010

England welcomed the world in 2010 and invested heavily in preparations, hoping to avoid a third successive final loss to New Zealand. There were some upsets along the way with Ireland beating USA and South Africa edging Wales, while Australia made the semi-finals for the first time.

The final, played before a packed Twickenham Stoop, was a nail-biting affair and one that went right down to the wire. New Zealand had three yellow cards, but with one converted try apiece it was Kelly Brazier’s penalty that proved the difference and secured a fourth successive crown.

Host nation: England
Dates: 20 August to 5 September, 2010

Pool A – New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Wales
Pool B – England, Ireland, USA, Kazakhstan
Pool C – France, Canada, Scotland, Sweden

Semi-finals
New Zealand 45-7 France
England 15-0 Australia

Final
New Zealand 13-10 England

 

Women’s Rugby World Cup  2014

The last edition of the Women’s Rugby World Cup was played in the French capital and saw one of the biggest upsets in the tournament’s history as Ireland ended New Zealand’s 20-match unbeaten run on the WRWC stage with a 17-14 victory, one which meant the Black Ferns missed out on the semi-finals for the first time.

Ireland joined hosts France, England and Canada in the semi-finals with a first-time finalist guaranteed. Canada became only the fourth side to reach the final after a wonder try from Magali Harvey against hosts France, but it was England who were crowned champions, 20 years on from their last triumph, after a 21-9 win. Full-back Danielle Waterman scored the opening try with Emily Scarratt kicking three penalties before the centre converted her own try five minutes from time to seal the win.

Host nation: France
Dates: 27 July-19 August, 2014

Pool A – England, Canada, Spain, Samoa
Pool B – Ireland, New Zealand, USA, Kazakhstan
Pool C – France, Australia, Wales, South Africa

Semi-finals
Ireland 7-40 England
France 16-18 Canada

Final
England 21-9 Canada

Additional reporting and images: World Rugby

 

Modern Heroines Set For World Cup Challenge

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2017/Hong-Kong-Womens-Rugby-Team/i-n7QL2hB

The 9th December 2016 will live long in local rugby history, on a sensational night at King’s Park Hong Kong’s women rugby players beat Fiji 45-7 to effectively secure a place at the Women’s Rugby World Cup. Today after seven grueling months of training the 28, mostly amateur players, who will make that trip to Ireland to compete in the World Cup next month were announced.

The Hong Kong squad will depart on 4 August – head to airport to cheer them off – for Dublin, where they will play 2013 runners-up Canada (7 August), four-time champions New Zealand (13 August) and Wales (17 August), before heading to Belfast for the semi-finals, final and the placing matches.

“We are going to use every woman in the squad in Ireland, and that is a key to our larger goal and mission: to ensure that our first World Cup appearance isn’t our last,” said national coach Jo Hull.

“Qualification for the World Cup is a good start, but our objectives transcend wins and losses,” continued Hull “We also want to change the perception of the women’s game in Hong Kong and to show how tough you have to be, how dedicated and how resilient you have to be – rather than giving in or walking away when it gets tough.”

The squad features a healthy mix of experience and potential, as Hull looks to leverage the Rugby World Cup as a transformative event for the women’s game locally – where it’s been under-funded and often viewed by the male dominated HKRU hierarchy as an irrelevance.

“We have gone with our experience and some of our more physical players that can withstand the challenge of a World Cup, but we are really excited to see the number of young players who have raised their hands during the campaign,” Hull added, singling out emerging players like scrumhalf Chloe Mak, flyhalf Lee Tsz-ting, flanker Agnes Chan and 18-year old centre Kelsie Bouttle.

“These players have really come into their own and are improving every game. We have rewarded that potential and it is a fantastic opportunity for them to shine,” said Hull.

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2017/Hong-Kong-Womens-Rugby-Team/i-vFLzQ6J

Lock Chow Mei-nam captain’s the squad and the 29-year old physical education teacher is relishing the opportunity ahead for both herself and her side.

“My ambition is to be a world-class lock and the World Cup will provide a stage for me to try and achieve that. By the end of the tournament, I want the other teams to know about Hong Kong Rugby and respect us. That’s my main goal, earning that respect on the pitch.” Chow vowed.

Chow is joined by a core of experienced campaigners, particularly in the forwards, where former captain Royce Chan selection offers her a fitting highlight for Chan’s 13 years of endeavour in support of the women’s game.

Amelie Seure, Christy Cheng Ka-chi and Christine Gordon offer experience in the pack, alongside relative newcomers in flanker Agnes Chan and lock Chan Ka-yan.

“We have gone with some players that we know can get us out of trouble in a game,” confirmed Hull. “For a World Cup you need that balance, you have to have a team. It isn’t just about the players, the combinations have to work, on and off the pitch, to carry the team through those three weeks.”

“We have also given opportunities to some X-factor players. If they get things right, players like Agnes [Chan], Kelsie [Bouttle] and Rosie [Rose Hopewell-Fong] can help us break down defences. These players also help us have a multi-functional squad, with players that are comfortable playing in more than one position.”

“We are confident that we have that strength in depth we are going to need to take on three world-class teams in the space of two weeks,” Hull concluded.

The backline is anchored by vice captain and centre Adrienne Garvey, as well as experienced fly-half/fullback Rose Hopewell-Fong and sevens squad members Natasha Olson-Thorne (centre/wing), Aggie Poon Pak-yan and Colleen Tjosvold in the back three.

The emerging players among the backs are young scrumhalves 22-year old Chloe Mak, Ho-yee and 25-year old Jessica Ho Wai-on, while Lindsay Varty adds experience at the pivot. 21-year old ‘BB’ Lee Tsz-ting has been included at fly-half and will hope to add to her eight caps.

The youngest player in the squad is 18-year old centre Kelsie Bouttle who impressed in her first season of Premiership rugby and won her first cap last month.

“It’s been an eye opener for me to be involved and a great motivator to develop my rugby. The World Cup will be an incredible experience,” said Bouttle. “It’s good to be included because I am still young and hopefully have a long way to go in my rugby, so I will be in a position to share that experience and transfer my knowledge to other young players.”

While several of the squad are full-time athletes from the HKRU sevens programme at the HK Sports Institute, the majority are amateurs, who have put it massive amounts of time throughout the campaign to train.

“These are not professional players, but they train professionally,” said Hull. “They are doctors, teachers, social workers and students, and they deserve praise and respect for the commitment they have shown.”

This is Hull’s third World Cup “The opportunity to bring my own squad to the World Cup is a tremendous honour, especially with this group of players. I feel a lot of responsibility because of it.

“I’m looking forward to that buzz and excitement that surrounds a World Cup. I know from my own experience that this will be the most amazing three weeks of their sporting lives and to be able to lead them through that is a privilege,” said Hull.

HKRU Squad for Women’s Rugby World Cup 2017:

Forwards: CHOW Mei-nam (captain); CHAN Ka-yan; CHAN Leong-sze, Royce; CHAN Tsz-ching, Agnes; CHENG Ka-chi, Christy; CHEUNG Shuk-Han, Jasmine; Christine GORDON; LAU Nga-wun, Tammy; LEE Ka-shun; PUN Wai-yan; Amelie SEURE; SIU Wing-ni, Winnie; SO Hoi-ting, Karen; TSANG Sin-yan; WONG Yuen-shan.

Backs: Adrienne GARVEY (vice captain); CHONG Ka-yan; CHOR Lik-fung, Laurel; Kelsie BOUTTLE; HO Wai-on, Jessica; Rose HOPEWELL-FONG Siu-lan; LAU Sze-wa; LEE Tsz-ting; MAK Ho-yee, Chloe; Natasha OLSON-THORNE; POON Pak-yan, Aggie; Colleen TJOSVOLD; Lindsay VARTY.

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2017/Hong-Kong-Womens-Rugby-Team/i-nJjrGMZ

Additional reporting and images: HKRugby

Japan Thrash Error Prone Hong Kong 58-0

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2017/Hong-Kong-Womens-Rugby-Team/i-cwNNtwz

Hong Kong’s Asian Rugby Championship campaign got off to a disastrous and error prone start with a 58-0 loss to Japan in the first of the two-match series in Odarawa.

From the outset, the Sakura dominated the set piece and contact area in a clinical performance that caused real problems for Hong Kong coach Jo Hull’s squad. Japan jumped out to a 22-0 lead, and claimed the bonus point for scoring four tries, in the opening 25 minutes. The Sakura went on to score ten tries in total, five on either side of half time.

“It was a disappointing performance obviously, but fair play tothem, they came out hard and fast and dominated in all areas really,” said Hull.

“We played some okay rugby in parts and forced them into some mistakes defensively, but we let ourselves down, particularly at the contact area, and our set piece is underperforming at the moment,which is hurting us,” Hull added.

“We are bitterly disappointed, but no one is feeling sorry for themselves in that locker room. We know we had a bad day at the office. We need to learn from that and also put it behind us now,” said Hull.

“Collectively, we need to look inward, and ask ourselves what weare going to do as a team, as the entire squad including the girls at home, for next week. That is my challenge to the players the management, to everyone,” Hull said.

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2017/Hong-Kong-Womens-Rugby-Team/i-NWv3cjw

For Hull, the side now has an important opportunity to test it’s mettle for the last time in a match environment ahead of the world cup next month.

“We have seven days before our next test, so we need to review and get back to work on what we need to get right. That will be a good preparation for us for the World Cup, where we are going to have to be able to contest back-to-back tough matches,” added Hull.

“We are a month out from our biggest ever challenge and the players are aware that today was an unacceptable performance when we are wearing the Hong Kong jersey, but it doesn’t change what we are doing, or our belief in ourselves, our training and what we are working on. This is another opportunity now for us to get better,” said Hull.

Hong Kong’s best passage of play came early in the second half after reverting to a forward-heavy pick and roll style, but lost out on their best opportunity to add points and gather some momentum after a knock-on on the try-line.

Other than that, it was heavy going for the visitors, but Hull did take some positives from the encounter: “We exposed more players to this level and tried out some new combinations. That ability to get players this experience is a massive plus for us. If we continue to play the same girls, we risk taking a very limited squad in terms of our experience to Ireland,” noted Hull.

“BB Lee [Tsz-ting] played well at fly-half today. Her kicking game was very good and she managed the ball well despite being under pressure,” Hull added.

Hull was also pleased to see the subs bench make an impact, including 18-year old Kelsie Bouttle who earned her first cap.

“She did well; it’s tough for an 18 year old to debut in that scenario: being away versus Japan and coming on with a big deficit, but she showed composure and had some good ball in hand moments.”

Hull also complimented Rose Hopewell-Fong who came on for the second half and contributed to the positive start after the break by pairing well with captain Adrienne Garvey in the centre, before dropping back to fullback as positional cover.

“Rosie did well in a tough spot after coming on at 12 but having to move back, I think she showed how she has matured as a player today.

“We’ll continue to make changes this week to expose more players and combinations. My challenge to the team is to come back and show how we are going to collectively regroup and move forward,” said Hull.

Hong Kong v Japan
Date: 6pm, 15 July, 2017
Venue: King’s Park
Tickets: Free

Additional reporting: HKRugby
Photos: Japan Rugby, Toru Ikegami

Spain 41-18 Hong Kong

Spain beat Hong Kong 41-18 in the one-off Valladolid test as a disastrous start by the visitors saw the hosts establish a matching winning lead in the first quarter and lead 22-0 inside 30 minutes.

“That start was disappointing as we had talked a lot about how we needed to get at them early,” said coach Jo Hull. “We knew Spain would come out of the gate hard and we wanted to strangle them and prevent them from getting any momentum. We weren’t able to achieve that, unfortunately, but we did well to claw our way back into it.”

“Most importantly, we saw significant improvement from game one to two which was our main objective from the tour,” Hull added.

A gritty effort – led by the determined defence of flanker Cheng Ching-to and the inspired attack of winger Aggie Poon Pak-yan, saw Hong Kong claw its way back into the game in a more evenly contested second half.

Poon scored all of Hong Kong’s points, opening her account with a penalty in the 33rd minute to bring the half-time score to 22-3.

In the second half, the match opened up even further, with Spain starting the scoring in the 46th minute with a try to extend their lead to 29-3.

Hong Kong gained in confidence as the match wore on and were rewarded for their resiliency in the 51st minute when Poon, showing her skills, turned the corner on the Spanish defence to dash away for a forty-five metre try.

Poon’s try finished off a perfectly executed planned move that started from a scrum on the far side of the pitch. The ball passed cleanly though five pairs of hands in the back-line before Poon spotted the gap. Poon’s conversion of her own try edged Hong Kong back into the match at 29-10. Minutes later, another Hong Kong foray was rewarded, with a penalty, which Poon slotted to narrow the gap further 29-13.

Spain pushed right back with a barnstorming attack, throwing the ball around with abandon as they went 80 metres before creating a massive overlap on Hong Kong’s try-line to cross over for their sixth score and a 36-13 lead.

Moments later, Spain scored a final, fortuitous try to widen the margin to 41 points, leaving Hong Kong in danger of conceding a bigger loss than the 49-12 Madrid test defeat in 2015.

But Hong Kong re-grouped to marshal a final attack on the Spanish line and Poon stepped up once again, collecting a well-timed pass from fullback Colleen Tjosvold to dash 25 metres dragging three defenders across the line for a second try. Poon’s conversion was unsuccessful leaving the final score at 41-18.

Hull said before the tour that one of the goals of the trip was to expose the squad to more high-intensity matches and Hong Kong certainly experienced that as Spain were relentless in attack.

“Our tactical kicking still wasn’t good enough today,” said Hull. “We let them play too much rugby and we let their nine and ten get too involved. There were periods that we managed their pressure well, but our challenge now is to turn that 50 minutes into 80 minutes. But, overall, it was an improved performance against a much stronger side than the mid-week game.”

“We were more accurate in our attack and we had less handling and unforced errors, despite a big increase in the intensity of the game, so I’m pleased with that,” said Hull.

“This experience will absolutely hold us in good stead. Since we left this group has shown significant improvement and we have capped five new players on tour, which is vital for us in extending our squad ahead of the World Cup,” concluded Hull.

The squad returns to Hong Kong on Monday to prepare for the upcoming Asia Rugby Championship series with Japan in July.

Additional reporting and images: HK Rugby

Hong Kong Ready for Spain Test

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Jo Hull, Hong Kong’s coach, has named a strong squad for the one-off test match against Spain, currently ranked seventh in the world.

Two years ago Spain beat Hong Kong 49-12, with the World Cup two months away the match is an important indicator of the squads recent development.

“We’re still experimenting to some degree with our combinations, but we’ve gone with our strongest team against what we’re anticipating will be a much more experienced Spanish side,” said Hull.

“They played a lot of new players mid-week and we’re expecting more of their experienced players to play on Saturday, particularly in the forwards,” Hull noted.

That could be problematic for Hong Kong, who struggled mightily in the scrum on Tuesday. “Spain bullied us a bit so we need to use our strengths to our advantage and manage games against those bigger teams. We have to stop their ball carriers and bring them to ground early and we have to be able to live with that pressure for a full 80 minutes,” said Hull.

“We panicked a bit under pressure on Tuesday. We aren’t going to score from our own half against world class teams so we need to play smarter and use territory much better,” Hull added.

Rose Hopewell-Fong at fly-half will look to impose more control in those areas. While Chloe Mak Ho-yee hopes to ask more questions of the Spanish defence. “We’re giving Chloe the start as she offers something a bit different. While Rosie has that experience in controlling a match, Chloe will help us speed things up a bit,” Hull said.

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Hull has also turned to an experienced backline with all of the outside backs coming from Hong Kong’s sevens squad, including Ivy Kwong and the hard-running Natasha Olson-Thorne in the centres.

Chong Ka-yan’s performance in Tuesday’s friendly has earned her a start on the wing with Aggie Poon Pak-yan, while Colleen Tjosvold, who scored all of Hong Kong’s points in the opener, retains her spot at fullback.

“It’s an experienced backline, but they need to perform and to step-up really. We’re disappointed that we didn’t capitalize on our opportunities on Tuesday. We had two or three scoring chances that we squandered and we’ve given them a chance to put that right on Saturday,” Hull added.

In the forwards, Lau Nga-wun, Lee Ka-shun and Karen So will start in the front row with captain Chow Mei-nam forming a locking partnership with Tsang Sin-yan, who impressed on her senior debut earlier in the week. Vice captain Amelie Seure anchors the pack at No.8 with ball-fetcher Cheng Ching-to and Winnie Siu, another senior debutant earlier this week, on the flanks.

“Winnie was dynamic on Tuesday and we need a similar performance from her. Sin-yan earned her first cap by putting in a lot of work in the warm-up match. She hit a huge amount of rucks and was very effective around the pitch. Shedid the work we need our tight five to do – those unsung hero roles.”

Already conceding significant size to their opponents, the pack will have its work cut out for it as Spain are likely to field more of its veteran forwards, battle hardened from numerous matches against Women’s Six nations sides.

“We need to keep hold of the ball. We had too many turnovers on Tuesday, both forced and unforced. We also need to get our kicking game right and ensure we’re playing in the right areas,” said Hull.

Saturday’s test is an important step in Hong Kong’s build-up to its first ever Rugby World Cup appearance and the squad understands what is on the line.

“The girls are actually hugely disappointed with Tuesday’s performance. We’ve received a lot of messages from home, a lot of congratulations on the score, but the girls are setting a higher goal.”

“Our message this week has been about earning the right to play. This is our first international step towards the World Cup. We aren’t treating this like a normal tour, our only objective and ambition is to get better. No matter how well we do, we can’t be satisfied until we know our performance is where it needs to be, at World Cup level,” Hull added.

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Hong Kong squad v Spain (3 June 2017)

1. LAU Nga-wun, 2. Karen SO, 3. LEE Ka-shun, 4. TSANG Sin-yan, 5. CHOW Mei-nam (captain) 6. CHENG Ching-to, 7. Winnie SIU, 8. Amelie SEURE (vice capt), 9. MAK Ho-yee, 10. Rose HOPEWELL-FONG, 11. CHONG Ka-yan, 12. KWONG Sau-yan 13. Natasha OLSON-THORNE, 14. Aggie POON Pak-yan, 15. Colleen TJOSVOLD (vice capt). 16. Royce CHAN Leong-sze, 17. HO Hoi-lam, 18. PUN Wai-yan, 19. CHEUNG Shuk-hang, 20. Eunice LAI Ming-yan, 21. Lindsay VARTY, 22. LEE Tsz-ting, 23. Laurel CHOR

Photos : JFS Rugby Photography
Additional reporting: HK Rugby

Women’s International Friendly: Spain 19-8 Hong Kong

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Spain’s 19-8 victory in the warm-up match ahead of the 3 June test represents a significant improvement for Hong Kong’s women on their 2015 tour results when Spain scored 50+ points in both matches, but coach Jo Hull has warned her squad that it is not enough.

“If you compare that result to 2015, it was a much, much better performance, but honestly we are a bit disappointed, as we could have won that game,” said Hull. “We trailed 12-8 through 70 minutes and let ourselves down at times with some poor defensive efforts, including giving away a cheap try at the end of the game. The message we gave the girls after the game was that we have got to set our standard higher and have the belief that we are here to win these games and not just survive them.”

Hong Kong blunted the Spanish attack with a good rush defence and some strong loose forward play. The most visible blots on the copybook were Hong Kong’s performance in the scrum – Spain repeatedly dismantled Hong Kong’s pack, a few patchy periods on defence and an inability to alleviate pressure in their own half.

Spain’s dominance in the scrum will be a worry for Hull as she prepares her side for Saturday’s game: “It’s hard to get anything going when your scrum is going backwards like it did, so that is something that we will be focusing a lot on in the coming days, as well as our ability to get out from under pressure and play more rugby outside of our territory,” said Hull.

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On the positive side of the ledger, Hull was pleased to have had an opportunity to give all of her debut players a run-out. “We had five players making their senior debut, many of whom played well and will be involved in the World Cup. That is good as we need to expand that base and can’t rely on the same old players to keep stepping up. We were also able to try out some different players in different positions, like having a very young fly-half in BB [Lee Tsz-ting] on the pitch,” added Hull.

Spain jumped out to a 5-0 lead after a frenetic first ten minutes when they dominated possession and territory and were able to bring their physical advantage in the forwards into play with repeated short passes and carries by their towering loose forward trio. That pressure told in the 8th minute when the Spanish flanker crashed over for a try from a tap penalty close to the Hong Kong line.

After weathering the early pressure, Hong Kong’s belief grew and the capitalized on their first scoring opportunity when Colleen Tjosvold slotted home a penalty after Spain was pinged for off-side.

Spain replied three minutes later with a second try, this time coming through the backline as the hosts capitalised on a defensive lapse to score an easy try between the centres.

The heavy rain took it’s toll with both sides playing each other to a standstill as the scores stood at 12-8 at half-time. The stalemate continued deep into the second half with both sides liberally using their benches as they examined options and combinations ahead of Saturday’s test.

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Spain were the only side to score in the second half as they turned possession into points in the 74th minute with a second try from their open-side flanker.

Outside of the scrum, Hong Kong’s line-out was strong and the forward pack proved the equal of their opposition in the loose play, with the starting back row of match captain Amelie Seure at No.8 and Cheng Ching-to and Chan Tsz-ching, on her Hong Kong debut, putting in a strong performance.

Hull also had opportunities to debut a new lock pairing in Tsang Sin-yan and Eunice Lai Ming-yan and blooded all five of her uncapped players with Laurel Chor starting on the wing and prop Pun Wai-yan coming on as a substitute for the injured Lee Ka-shun late in the first half.

“Both locks played really well, as did Chan Tsz-ching. She was very physical and did a good job. In the backs, Chong Ka-yan was strong in both attack and defence and Colleen [Tjosvold, who scored all of Hong Kong’s points with a try and a penalty], was a standout. She really stepped up her game,” said Hull.

Saturday will now be a test of resolve for Hong Kong as they come up against the full Spanish national team, currently ranked seventh in the world. In 2015 Spain found another gear in the test match, which they won 59-12. Hull understands that a backlash may be coming and will be focusing the squad on that likelihood:

“The first match was an eye-opener for both teams. Spain will make some changes and I expect to see more of their senior players on Saturday. I am sure that they will want to be even more physical and it will be crucial for us to stop them from getting a good start and building any early momentum.

“Yes, we have made progress since 2015, but now there is a risk that we sit back and are content with that. We know that we are not good enough for the World Cup right now and I am interested to see how the squad responds to that in the test,” Hull concluded.

Photos : JFS Rugby Photography

Additional reporting: HK Rugby

HKWR7s – Hong Kong 15-10 Belgium @ So Kon Po – 6 April, 2017

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Hong Kong’s last game of the Womens Rugby Sevens 2017, and finally a win 15-10 over Belgium who topped the group. Another tournament of untaken opportunities for the home team…
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