HK, China qualify for Rugby World Cup for first time
Hong Kong, China will make their Rugby World Cup debut in the 2027 tournament in Australia. Photo courtesy of Hong Kong, China Rugby
Hong Kong, China qualified for the Rugby World Cup for the first time in their history on Saturday as they romped past South Korea 70-22 in Incheon to become Asian champions.
The victory gave the SAR a sixth consecutive Asia Rugby Championship and with it a place in the expanded 24-team tournament to be hosted by Australia in 2027.
Hong Kong, globally famous for its annual Sevens tournament, will now rub shoulders in the 15-a-side showpiece with the likes of world champions South Africa and New Zealand's All Blacks.
"It's pretty overwhelming to be honest," said No.8 Josh Hrstich, the city's captain.
"Just super, super proud of our playing group, our management, coaching staff and people behind the scenes. There's a lot that goes into making a team successful."
"Thanks to everyone who has supported us and we're going to need them for the upcoming years because it's going to get pretty special."
With Asian powerhouses Japan one of 12 teams who had already qualified by virtue of finishing in the top three of their pool in the 2023 World Cup, a berth was up for grabs for the continental champions.
Hong Kong not only earned regional honours but also made history as only the second Asian team, after Japan, to qualify for a men's Rugby World Cup.
The SAR finished comfortably on top of the four-team table after wins against the UAE (43-10), Sri Lanka (78-7) and South Korea in the past month. (AFP)
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South China Morning Post
8 hours ago
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Hong Kong have finally made it to the Rugby World Cup – now the real work begins
Hong Kong's men made history in Incheon on Saturday, qualifying for the Rugby World Cup for the first time – now the real work begins. Advertisement 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. Hong Kong will be only the second team from Asia to play in the World Cup after ever-present qualifiers Japan, who have already qualified for 2027 after finishing third in their pool at the 2023 tournament in France. The 10 tries Hong Kong scored at the Incheon Namdong Asiad Rugby Stadium, after they ran in 12 against Sri Lanka two weeks ago, took the team's total to 28 for the championship, underscoring the gulf that exists between the side and their regional rivals. Once again they came from forwards and backs, with the former having the upper hand in the rout. Alex Post, the hooker, and Josh Hrstich, who started the game at No 8, scored a brace each, while James Sawyer and Luke van der Smit also crossed. Hong Kong captain Josh Hrstich scored two tries in his team's 10-try haul. Photo: HKCR In the backs, Matt Worley's individual score – created by man of the match Nathan de Thierry, who kicked nine conversions as well as pulling the strings from fly half – got things moving with just two minutes gone, and he was followed across the line by Paul Altier, Harry Sayers and Max Denmark.
South China Morning Post
21 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Hrstich ‘super, super proud' as Hong Kong men make Rugby World Cup history
Hong Kong's men made history in Incheon on Saturday, qualifying for the Rugby World Cup for the first time. 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 and Josh Hrstich each 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 crossing the line. Paul Altier works his way through the South Korea defence. Photo: HKCR 'It's pretty overwhelming to be honest,' Hrstich, the Hong Kong captain, said. 'Just super, super proud of our playing group, our management, coaching staff and people behind the scenes. There's a lot that goes into making a team successful.
South China Morning Post
a day ago
- South China Morning Post
Hrstich ‘super, super proud' as Hong Kong men make Rugby World Cup history
Hong Kong's men made history in Incheon on Saturday, qualifying for the Rugby World Cup for the first time. 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 and Josh Hrstich each 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 crossing the line. Paul Altier works his way through the South Korea defence. Photo: HKCR 'It's pretty overwhelming to be honest,' Hrstich, the Hong Kong captain, said. 'Just super, super proud of our playing group, our management, coaching staff and people behind the scenes. There's a lot that goes into making a team successful.
