Hong Kong men make history, qualify for Rugby World Cup for first time

South China Morning Post

05-07-2025

Hong Kong's men made history in Incheon on Saturday, qualifying for the Rugby World Cup for the first time.
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A 70-22 victory over South Korea sealed a sixth consecutive Asia Rugby Emirates Men's Championship title and booked a spot at the global tournament in Australia in 2027.
Three years ago, Hong Kong escaped with a narrow 23-21 victory, thanks to Gregor McNeish's final kick of the game. This time, they had run in three tries midway through the first half and were 39 points clear at the break.
Not for the first time, a dominant forward performance was the bedrock for the victory, and it was no coincidence that the pack scored six of the tries. Alex Post, Josh Hrstich both bagged a brace, while James Sawyer and Luke van der Smit each added one of their own. The backs, meanwhile, had Matt Worley, Paul Altier, Harry Sayers and Max Denmark cross.
South Korea did themselves no favours, and even against 14 men, after Axten-Burrett was sent off for a nasty clash of heads with wing Chang Yong-heung in the first half, a dysfunctional line-out and poor handling meant that Chang's two late scores were the smallest of consolations.
Paul Altier works his way through the South Korea defence. Photo: HKCR
It took Hong Kong little more than two minutes to get on the board, a line-out on the halfway line was recycled through several phases, and eventually a missed pass across the backline from de Thierry sent Worley flying through a split Korea defence.