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Women’s rugby returns after a short break in what the HKRU describes as ‘innovative new format’ of a four-team Premiership and a four-team Premiership Development league.

Sticking four capable teams in a league labelled ‘development’ is insulting to the teams and players. Several members of those teams are HK internationals – hardly development players! Ignoring Valley and Gai Wu, there was little between the other 6 teams over the first part of the season – although the Sparkle did struggle to score.

Splitting the league into two parts likely will mean the gap between the ‘mini leagues’ will increase as playing against better players forces/encourages people to raise their game and improve their skill and game awareness. Players also learn from playing better teams, as the national team demonstrated against top quality opposition at the recent World Cup.

This weekend’s matches are a repeat Super Saturday Deux two weeks ago Valley against Gai Wu Falcons (16.30, KGV),  USRC Tigers take on HKFC Ice, (17:30, HKIED),  Tai Po Dragons verses City Sparkle (15.00, Tai Hang Tung) and CWB Phoenix face Kowloon (SKP, 18.00).

As ever, Valley coach Bella Milo sees room to strengthen her side’s performance in last game’s 32-5 win against Gai Wu.

“We were overcommitting at the breakdown, so we’ll keep more players on their feet and ready to execute. We didn’t finish as well as we should have – there were a couple of tries we left on the field in the second half. I want to see better line speed this week,’ she reels off.

But Milo has respect for the opposition.

“It’s never an easy game against Gai Wu. Last week was closer than the score suggests – for instance, if Greer had got her runaway [almost crossing after a dash from the centre], they could have picked up momentum and taken a hold on the game. So we aren’t taking anything for granted,” she said.

“I think it’s the first time Valley and Gai Wu play back-to-back games, and it’s going to be about the team that turns up, mentally and physically. The side that can back themselves mentally can take it.”

Milo is already responding to the demands of the new league arrangement and intends to bring on her bench earlier, to spread the load and build the depth of her squad. She also has to contend with the absence of Black Fern World Cup champion Aroha Savage and a bench start for core national player Amelie Seure, just back in town.

“We’ll bring the reserves on earlier, to give them more game time. With some players away and [second side] Valley Reds not playing, it’s a good opportunity for our depth to come on,” she said.

Gai Wu’s Lai Yiu Pang has also made adjustments, going into this second contest with Valley.

“My message to the girls is to attack more. We created opportunities, especially in the first 50 minutes, but weren’t smart enough to take them. Players weren’t spotting the attacking chances,” urges Lai.

“The whole team has to keep focus from 50 to 80 minutes, not play for half the game and then drop off.”

“Our scrum didn’t function as well as it should have. Improvement there will provide the foundation and encouragement for the team to play wider,” he observes.

Lai acknowledges the impact of Greer Muir – one of a string of Antipodean signings by Women’s Premiership clubs this season – but says the other 14 players have to share that workload.

“She has vision that we lack, and I want her to be more vocal and use her experience to help BB [Lee Tsz Ting ] organise the forwards, particularly,” he said.

Lai believes his team have the playing skills for this level, but have to build their game awareness.

“The team are doing their jobs, in general, but we need our decision makers to get the vision right, to recognise how to play opportunities more effectively. They have to read the game and take responsibility. They especially need to be aware faster of what’s coming next, getting the forwards in position, and everyone on the same page,” he said.

Lai will try some younger players at 9 and 10. Wong Suet Ying will start if she is fit, after taking a knock during a National Team Junior Development Programme session during the week.

Chow Mei Nan is unavailable for the rest of the season, with a pre-arranged commitment. Christy Cheng and Melody Li will only return from injury after New Year, and this week Lai is also missing another national team player, Lee Ka Shun. However, other injured players all return this week, giving him some options.

Two new trophies are being contested for the second time. In Round 7 of Women’s NL 1, the National League 1 Challenge Shield is on the line as holders USRC Tigers 2 meet Tai Po Dragons 2 (King’s Park, 19.30). In Women’s NL 2, it’s CWB Lammergeier defending the National League 2 Challenge Shield against HKFC Fire at So Kon Po at 16:30.

Additional reporting and images: hkru