Tag: HKsport

Hong Kong Begin Asia Men’s Rugby Championship Defence in South Korea

Hong Kong begin their defence of the Asia Men’s Rugby Championship against South Korea in Incheon on the 8 June. New head coach Andrew Hall will be looking both to the future and to see how the team can make, what permanently seems a step too far and qualify for the Men’s Rugby World Cup.

Hall’s first selection underlines the fresh feel, with just nine of last year’s squad for the same tie selected, a number that reflects retirements after the repechage and the omission of most of the sevens squad as they prepare for the Asian series and Olympic qualifier later this year.

Three players are set to earn their first caps in Korea: flanker Callum McCullough, fullback Paul Altier and winger Harry Sayers. Sayers and McCullough, Hong Kong born players raised in the United Kingdom and New Zealand respectively, returned to the SAR in 2018 to press their international claims.

Photo by : Ike Li / Ike Images

Altier, meanwhile, is the poster boy of the HKRU’s development schemes having earned representative honours at every age grade level. The fullback, who will return to his studies at University of Bath in the fall, is the current captain of the U20s squad and will lead that team to the Junior World Trophy later this summer.

All three will look to seize on the opportunities presented in this transitional period, according to Hall, who is keen on rewarding form and players who put their hands up when given chances.

The 25-year old McCullough earns his first cap as, “reward for some really good club form this season and some hard work in his ERP trial,” said Hall, who also noted that McCullough’s height will provide an added benefit in pressurising the Korean line-out.

Sayers will complete his collection of Hong Kong caps by adding a fifteen a-side appearance to his sevens debut last month at the Singapore Sevens.

“Harry is another guy who really took his opportunity well with the sevens this season. He has some real gas, and adds another weapon and a bit of aggression for us on the outside,” said Hall.

“I’m delighted for Paul as well,” added Hall. “He has worked hard and proved himself at every level in our age grade programmes. In our view, he was always the next cab off the rank in terms of being named in the squad by merit, and we have watched him progress for a long while now. It’s hugely pleasing to see a guy like that get a first cap.”

Joining the three newcomers in the squad are several players who have yet to experience Asian international competition – after debuting at last year’s World Cup Repechage, including forwards Grant Kemp and Craig Lodge, and backs Ben Axten-Burrett, Lewis Warner and Bryn Phillips.

Hall reflected on selecting his first squad and the start of a new cycle, saying, “There are all sorts of emotions, really; excitement, for me and the players, and a bit of nerves as well. We have some big shoes to fill, but I have had great support from the coaching team and the last say on this selection, which is exciting.”

“There is a lot of anticipation – from me, the coaches and the players – to get back to the international game. This is our first opportunity since the repechage; we have put that result behind us mentally and it will be good now in an international to really bury that.

“We have an opportunity to put a marker in the sand,” Hall added. “We have had success in Korea the last few years, but it’s never easy and we recognise that. That success has come down to having the right approach, players who are ‘on it’, and executing well. Nothing changes now.

“We have to stop their momentum, that is it. If you give them a sniff of the game, they are extremely difficult to contain.”

The early momentum is already in Korea’s favour after they swept Malaysia and had a week’s rest ahead of Hong Kong. Should they defend home turf, Hong Kong will not be able to afford any miscues over the coming month.

“They are coming into it with two games and two wins under their belts. They are comfortable in their combinations and patterns, and will be very happy with that, so we are going to have to disrupt that and ensure they don’t get into their stride.”

Hong Kong Squad v South Korea (Incheon, 8 June)

1. Ben Higgins, 2. Alex Post, 3. Grant Kemp, 4. Fin Field, 5. Kyle Sullivan, 6. James Cunningham, 7. Callum McCullugh, 8. Kane Boucaut, 9. Liam Slatem (Captain), 10. Jack Neville, 11. Conor Hartley, 12. Matt Rosslee, 13. Ben Axten-Burrett, 14. Harry Sayers, 15. Paul Altier, 16. Dayne Jans, 17. Dan Barlow, 18. Jack Parfitt, 19. Craig Lodge, 20. Cris Pierrepoint, 21. Bryn Phillips, 22. Lewis Warer, 23, Rob Keith.

Additional reporting and images HKRU

Ireland Too Good for Hong Kong

Ireland secured a place as a core team on the World Rugby Sevens Series 2020 by beating Hong Kong in the final of the men’s annual world series qualifier.

After three days of action, Anthony Eddy’s side proved to be worthy winners as they finished up with a comfortable 28-7 win in the competition-decider.

The victory in front of a packed, 40,000 strong crowd at the Hong Kong Stadium means Ireland will become one of the 15 core teams contesting the 10-round world series.

In the final Ireland struck first through Harry McNulty and captain Billy Dardis added the conversion. It gave them a spring in their step and an excellent angled run from O’Shea delivered their second just before half-time. A second successful conversion put them 14 points up before they extended that out to 21.

Hong Kong responded when Ireland went down to six men following a yellow card but Terry Kennedy’s converted try created a 28-7 advantage. As the time went into the red, the home side continued to battle but Ireland’s gutsy defence held firm and the players cried tears of joy as the full-time whistle sounded.

“We’re just delighted with this,” said captain Dardis after the full-time whistle. “It’s been a long and hard road. I think that we all just stood on the pitch there and couldn’t move. We’re just speechless. It’s class! It won’t sink in for a couple of weeks.”

This time last year, Ireland were knocked out at the semi-final stage by eventual winners Japan but went on to have a head-turning season.

The side played as the invitational team at the London and Paris rounds in the 2018 world series and took home a bronze medal from London. They won 23 of their 24 matches across the Rugby Europe Sevens Grand Prix Series and at this all-important qualifying competition showed their strength and quality.

Ireland were housed in Pool F alongside Jamaica, Uruguay and Russia. The first day saw them comprehensively beat the Reggae Crocs 26-0 before starting strongly against Los Teros Sevens.

A 26-7 lead over Uruguay was clawed back though and had Tomas Ubilla not missed the final conversion attempt, a loss would have been recorded. Ireland used the overnight break to refocus and returned to record back-to-back wins over Russia on day two.

The first 33-7 victory completed their pool campaign before a statement quarter-final result followed. A 47-0 victory in the last-eight included braces from Jordon Conroy, O’Shea and Kennedy and created a last-four meeting with Germany.

The semi-final was a clash of the titans as both sides gave it absolutely everything. Although Anthony Eddy’s outfit led 5-0 at the break they went 10-5 down in the second half.

Despite the high stakes, Ireland kept their composure and worked a team try with just over a minute to go. Captain Dardis was the try-scorer and his monster conversion pushed them 12-10 in front. The cherry on top arrived after they secured the final kick-off and Conroy carried two German defenders over the line with him. Dardis again converted for a 19-10 victory.

Having earned their place on the World Rugby Sevens Series 2020, Ireland can now look forward to playing at the top level of rugby sevens ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Ireland will aim for Olympic qualification when the European regional qualification tournament takes place in Colomiers, France on 13-14 July, 2019.

World Rugby recently announced a new-look men’s and women’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series which includes at least six combined events, as the women’s series increases to eight rounds for the first time in its history over the next four-year cycle. Dubai, Cape Town, New Zealand, Sydney, Hong Kong and Paris will host combined men’s and women’s sevens events from next season onwards as part of the next four-year world series hosting cycle.

Additional reporting and images: World Rugby

Rath Leads Hong Kong at ACC Emerging Nations Cup

Captain Anshuman Rath returns to lead Hong Kong at the ACC Emerging Nations Cup, a round robin tournament, that’s being jointly hosted by Sri Lanka and Pakistan from 6-15 December.

Rath, who missed the recent South China Cup defeat to Papua New Guinea, returns with Hong Kong drawn in Group B alongside Pakistan, Bangladesh and UAE. Group B will be played in Pakistan. India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Oman are in Group A with their matches being played in Sri Lanka.

Looking ahead to the tournament Hong Kong coach Simon Cook said “The recent tour to PNG and return series in Hong Kong has been really good for Hong Kong Cricket as a whole. We have seen players like Waqas Khan and Ghazanfer Mohammad really take steps forward and start to own their place in the side which starts to strengthen the playing squad. There is now fierce competition for places within the starting 11.”

“The Emerging Nations tournament is another great chance to learn and bench mark ourselves as a team and as individuals which is critically important for us with the World Cricket League Division 2 tournament coming up in April next year,” continued Cook.

Chairman of Selectors Tabarak Dar added “The Tournament will provide Hong Kong some great opportunities to play against some quality teams.”

The top 2 in each group progress to the semi-finals and finals to be played in Sri Lanka. Hong Kong, Oman and UAE will field national sides while the ‘test nations’ will be fielding U-23 sides, with 4 over-age players permitted per team.

Group A: Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, India, Oman
Group B: Pakistan, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, United Arab Emirates

ACC Emerging Nations Cup
Thu 6-Dec Pakistan vs Hong Kong at NSK, Karachi
Bangladesh vs UAE at SG, Karachi
Fri 7-Dec Sri Lanka vs Oman at RPICS, Colombo
India vs Afghanistan at CCC, Colombo
Pakistan vs UAE at NSK, Karachi
Bangladesh vs Hong Kong at SG, Karachi
Sat 8-Dec Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan at CCC, Colombo
India vs Oman at RPICS, Colombo
Sun 9-Dec Pakistan vs Bangladesh at NSK, Karachi
UAE vs Hong Kong at SG, Karachi
Mon 10-Dec Sri Lanka vs India at RPICS, Colombo
Afghanistan vs Oman at CCC, Colombo
Tue 11-Dec Rest Day
Wed 12-Dec Rest Day
Thu 13-Dec SF1: B1 v A2 at RPICS, Colombo
SF2: A1 v B2 at CCC, Colombo
Fri 14-Dec Rest Day
Sat 15-Dec FINAL: SF1 winner v SF2 winner at RPICS, Colombo
Hong Kong Squad

Anshuman Rath (Captain) Hong Kong Cricket Club
Aizaz Khan (Vice Captain) Kowloon Cricket Club
Nizakat Khan – Hong Kong Cricket Club
Raag Kapur – Hong Kong Cricket Club
Kinchit Shah – Hong Kong Cricket Club
Babar Hayat – Pakistan Association Cricket Club
Waqas Khan- Diasqua Little Sai Wan Cricket Club
Ehsan Nawaz – Pakistan Association Cricket Club
Ehsan Khan – Diasqua Little Sai Wan Cricket Club
Ghazanfer Mohammad – Diasqua Little Sai Wan Cricket Club
Tanwir Afzal – Pakistan Association Cricket Club
Tanveer Ahmed – Hong Kong Cricket Club
Hassan Mohammad – Diasqua Little Sai Wan Cricket Club
Shahid Wasif – Diasqua Little Sai Wan Cricket Club
Haroon Arshad – Diasqua Little Sai Wan Cricket Club

Reserves:
Nasrullah Rana – Pakistan Association Cricket Club
Aftab Hussain – Diasqua Little Sai Wan Cricket Club
Hamed Khan – Pakistan Association Cricket Club

Additional reporting and images: Cricket HK, ACC

Hong Kong 80 Minutes Away From Rugby World Cup Debut

Looking to emulate the women’s team and play in the Rugby World Cup, Hong Kong’s men need a bonus-point win – for scoring four tries or more – and have to prevent Canada from securing a losing-bonus point (for a loss within seven points) to advance to next year’s tournament in Japan.

It’ll be a tough challenge as Canada have looked imposing in the repechage, claiming bonus point wins against Kenya and Germany, as they to look to continue a proud tradition of qualifying for every Rugby World Cup since the first in 1987. The match kick’s off at 4am Hong Kong time Saturday morning.

https://youtu.be/wzQgxm6uYFQ

Their poor performance in the loss against Germany sees Hong Kong needing to take risks, Dai Rees, Chief Rugby Operations Officer at the HKRU, believes that the reward is worth it.

“We have made changes to the squad again and have taken some chances along the route in our selection and learned some important lessons for this game. We want a squad that can come in with high energy.

“Canada have played basically the same squad both games, while we have had a different line-up each time, and have now been able to use everyone. We’re confident that if we bring that energy and are in it at half time, then the game will look after itself.

“It’s going to take a ten-out-of-ten performance but we have prepared with specificity for Canada and are hoping that this group brings energy and takes some risks to qualify.

“The reward is to come off with a victory and four tries. We aren’t coming in just looking for a win, we’re going in with a game plan to qualify for the World Cup.”

The need to first establish parity with physical Canadians has seen Hong Kong revert to its heavy unit, with a selection that resembles the squad named against Germany.

Reflecting the balancing act required in needing both a supercharged attack and a spotless defence, Hong Kong has called up two players from the wider travel squad as injury cover, with 6’7”, 15-stone lock Craig Lodge earning the start – and his first Hong Kong cap – in a high-pressure situation, while scrumhalf Jamie Lauder moves to the reserves bench.

The inclusion of Lodge into the second row alongside Fin Field forces captain James Cunningham to the flank, where he frequently plays for his club Kowloon, adding more muscle to what has already been an impactful back row with No.8 Thomas Lamboley and flanker Toby Fenn productive both offensively and defensively in France.

The starting front row against Germany, loosehead prop Dan Barlow, hooker Dayne Jans and tight head prop Grant Kemp, will man the coalface to start against Canada. Nick Hewson and Michael Parfitt have been named as backrow reserves, with props Ben Higgins and Jack Parfitt and reserve hooker and former U20s captain, Alexander Post, making his first match appearance in France, shoring up the tight five.

“Bringing a guy like Craig, who is 6’7”, 6’8”, on to the park, and moving JC [James Cunningham], another 6’4” big man, into the back row, will help us better combat Canada’s size and strength early on,” said Rees.

“We need to bring a lot of power and strength in the first half, but we’re also in it for the long haul, and are hoping that if we can keep close entering the last 30 minutes or so, then the tries will start to come,” Rees added.

Hong Kong will look to its ever dangerous backs to capitalize on what is hoped will be a flagging Canadian defence in Marseille, with another 6’7” behemoth in winger Conor Hartley eager to get the ball in hand more than in his first outing against Germany. Hartley’s physicality should present a jarring contrast for the Canadians with his silky back-three partners Salom Yiu and Casey Stone at full-back.

Typifying the energy Hong Kong selectors are after is Liam Slatem, the cagey scrumhalf who gets the start over Lauder and Jamie Hood, both capable nines in their own rights, while steady fly-half Matt Rosslee anchors the backline and looks to continue what has been a fruitful tournament with the boot.

The centre pairing of Ben Axten-Burrett and Tyler Spitz also gets another run after testing well against Kenya.

Utility backs Jamie Hood and Jamie Lauder provide attacking threats at every position across the backline, while the direct running of reserve centre Max Woodward should further help break down the Canadian defence late in the game.

Rees complimented the call-ups for the impact they have had, saying, “It’s been tough for both of them. They weren’t selected in the original 30, and now they get this huge opportunity for the last game, but they’ve come in and added energy for us.

“Alex Post as well, they have all come in and contributed, and the entire 35-man travel squad has been tremendous in supporting the group as well. You couldn’t ask for more from any of the players or management.

“One of the true tests of a group is how they handle themselves on tour. Here we are five and a half weeks away from home and the energy level is as high as it was when we left. The camaraderie and the professionalism the players and coaches have displayed should make all of Hong Kong proud,” Rees added.

Hong Kong v Canada
RWC 2019 Repechage, Marseille, 23 November 2018

1. Dan Barlow, 2. Dayne Jans, 3. Grant Kemp, 4. Craig Lodge, 5. Finlay Field, 6. James Cunningham ©, 7. Toby Fenn, 8. Thomas Lamboley, 9. Liam Slatem, 10. Matt Rosslee, 11. Conor Hartley 12. Ben Axten-Burrett 13. Tyler Spitz, 14. Yiu Kam-Shing, Salom 15. Casey Stone. 16. Alexander Post, 17. Ben Higgins, 18. Jack Parfitt, 19. Michael Parfitt, 20. Nick Hewson, 21. Jamie Lauder 22. Jamie Hood, 23. Max Woodward

Additional reporting and images: HKRU, World Rugby

Hong Kong v Canada for Rugby World Cup 2019

Canada and Hong Kong will play off for the 20th and final place at RWC 2019 on Friday 23 November after both sides came through difficult challenges from Germany and Kenya respectively to pick up bonus-point wins in round two of the RWC repechage at the Stade Delort in Marseille.

After taking maximum points for the second match in a row with a 29-10 victory over Germany, Canada lead the standings by five points from Hong Kong, who need to win with a bonus point when the sides meet in the third and final round and also deny the Canucks anything from the game to make it to their first Rugby World Cup.

A place in Pool B alongside defending champions New Zealand, two-time Rugby World Cup winners South Africa, Italy and Namibia awaits the winner of the round-robin repechage tournament.

For Kenya and Germany, the qualification dream is now over.

Additional reporting and images: World Rugby

Hong Kong v Wales @ Cardiff Arms Park

Hong Kong take on Wales tonight [03:00 HK time] at the iconic Cardiff Arms Park in the second and final test of their European Tour. In announcing the team Coach Jo Hull, needing to expose a largely inexperienced squad to international rugby against top ranked countries, has kept the team largely intact from last week’s first, with a few tweaks.

Centre Grace Hood starts in place of Sarah Lucas, whom she replaced at half-time in Alicante.  Lucas moves to the bench for the start of the match. Hong Kong sevens contract player Stephanie Chan will get her first start at full-back, while U20s star Jessica Eden earns her first cap for Hong Kong on the wing.

New prop Debby Lam Ka-wai has been named to the bench and Flanker Pun Wai-yan comes in for Maggie Au Yeung who moves to the opposite flank, pushing first test try-scorer Winnie Siu to the bench. Experienced scrum half Sham Wai-sum and utility back Lau Sze-wah also make the bench.

For Hull, the measure of success lies in how much improvement the side shows from game one to two.

“The challenge we have set for the team is that we must see improvement from game to game. The whole purpose of this trip is to improve. This is year one of our three year journey for 2021 [Women’s Rugby World Cup] qualification and even, in the bigger picture, 2025″ said Hull

“This is the group and this is the first step. By playing these teams, the players will get invaluable experience and exposure at this level. We need to expose them as much as possible before 2021 and 2025.”

Hull is under no illusions that the difficulty level is increasing in Wales, ranked ninth in the world entering tonight’s clash.

“Looking at the Spain game, it really was a huge defensive effort from us. The key areas we were lacking in were our set piece and being able to get ahold of the ball initially, and then keep ahold of it and keep that possession.

“We were defending from the start of the game, so our defence has again been a focus for us ahead of Wales. They are a very strong and physical team.

“The breakdown is going to be important for us in terms of being able to stop them from gaining momentum. So we have been looking at our scrum and lineout a lot this week and we need to see significant improvement there.

“It is difficult to play rugby if we are missing a lot of tackles, as we did in Spain. The big challenge is to match their physicality and make sure they don’t run away with the game or build too much momentum early on and not to let them bully us,” continued Hull.

“We felt the subs did well against Spain, so it is reassuring to see that we are starting to develop a bench that can add impact to the game,” Hull added.

Hong Kong v Wales Test (Cardiff Arms Park, Wales, 16 Nov 2018)

1. Lau Nga-Wun, 2. Dr. Karen So (Captain), 3. Yip Cho-Kwan, 4. Chan Ka-Yan, 5. Tsang Ching-Man, 6. Pun Wai-Yan, 7. Maggie Au Yeung, 8. Melody Li (Vice Captain), 9. Jessica Ho, 10. Cheng Lok-Tung, 11. Chong Ka-Yan, 12. Grace Hood, 13. Natasha Olson-Thorne (Vice Captain), 14. Jessica Eden, 15. Stephanie Chan, 16. Charlotte Myrans, 17. Vincci Leung, 18. Lam Ka-Wai, 19. Amber Chan, 20. Winnie Siu, 21. Sham Wai-Sum, 22. Sarah Lucas 23. Lau Sze-Wa.

Additional reporting and images: HKRU, Gai Wu

New Zealand to Host Women’s Rugby World Cup 2021

New Zealand will host the ninth Women’s Rugby World Cup in July and August of 2021. World Rugby awarded the hosting rights for the first tournament in the Southern Hemisphere to Auckland and Whangarei on New Zealand’s North Island by 25 votes to 17 ahead of Australia.

Women’s rugby continues to experience global growth and participation levels are at an all-time high. The six week tournament will be played at four stadiums with the final at the iconic Eden Park, which hosted the men’s Rugby World Cup 2011 final.

According to World Rugby New Zealand and Australia both submitted strong and compelling bids based on the hosting criteria which looked to build on the popularity of the 2017 tournament in Ireland. Which was the best attended Women’s Rugby World Cup and saw over 45 million views across official tournament platforms.

World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont said: “Congratulations to New Zealand on being elected Women’s Rugby World Cup 2021 host. They presented a very strong and compelling bid and we look forward to working with New Zealand Rugby to host a successful and inspiring tournament.

“Women’s rugby continues to grow with over 2.4 million women and girls playing rugby at all levels, accounting for more than a quarter of players globally. With Women’s Rugby World Cup attracting record crowds and broadcast audiences in each of the last three tournaments – Ireland 2017, France 2014 and England 2010 – I am in no doubt that the 2021 tournament, the first to be held in the Southern Hemisphere, will continue this record breaking trend.

“I would also like to thank Australia for its exceptional bid. We hope to welcome Australia back to bid again in the future.”

The New Zealand Government strongly supported the bid and after the announcement, New Zealand Rugby Board Member and former Black Fern Farah Palmer said: “We are honoured and excited to be awarded the WRWC2021 and look forward to delivering the first Women’s Rugby World Cup tournament in the Southern Hemisphere. We are looking forward to working together to deliver a world-class tournament for players, officials, fans, commercial partners and spectators watching around the world.”

New Zealand are the current World Champions after winning their fifth Women’s Rugby World Cup, beating England 41 – 32 in a pulsating final at the Kingspan Stadium in Belfast.

Additional reporting and images: World Rugby