HKCR LOSE NATIONS CUP WARM-UP BATTLE IN BRUSSELS

[Hong Kong, China, 1 November 2026]:  Hong Kong China Rugby men’s XV got the warm-up they wanted ahead of the final rounds of World Rugby Nations Cup, and more, when they fell to their first loss to Belgium since 2012, 27-17, overnight in Brussels.

“Obviously very disappointed,” said captain HKCR Josh Hrstich. 
 

“We made far too many mistakes. Belgium are a quality team and played off the back of those, so credit to them, but it was a really good test for us, and a good match for us to go into the Nations Cup with.” 
 

HKCR enjoyed the better start, maintaining early possession and controlling the game’s first stages as they methodically worked their way into Belgian territory for the opening try after four minutes when flanker Jack Bartlett capped a long period of recycled phase play with the five-pointer. It was suitable reward for Bartlett who was heavily involved across a full 80 minutes. Paul Altier’s conversion put Hong Kong up 7-0 in the early stages.

Belgium defended its home ground superbly thereafter, controlling much of the first half territory as Hong Kong battled to play rugby in Belgium’s half.  Fueled by a passionate home crowd, Belgium turned the tables on Hong Kong when they capped their own long period of attack with a try to winger Dazzy Cornez in the 10th minute to level the scores at 7-7.

Hong Kong’s next chance would come after 20 minutes when fullback Altier put his squad in the lead again with a successful penalty strike to push ahead 10-7.  
 

The game opened up before halftime with both sides attacking with abandon, but the defences holding strong. Disaster struck late for the visitors when Belgium blitzed Hong Kong with two momentum sealing tries in the final stages to take a 19-10 lead into half-time.

The second half started poorly for Hong Kong with Belgium earning a scrum at Hong Kong’s 22m from the kick-off, before garnering a penalty attempt from the resulting pressure. The penalty was converted by Hugo de Francq as Belgium led 22-10 after 43 minutes.

While the defence held in the middle quarters, Hong Kong struggled to string together consistent attacks, with the problems of a physical Belgian defence compounded by unforced errors, lineout struggles and poor kicking from hand late in the match as Hong Kong started to force the issue.

As Hong Kong tightened, the Belgian XV started to gain momentum with their offload game hitting perfectly as they started to poke holes in Hong Kong’s defence. Belgium put the wrapper on the chocolate when Cornez scored his second try of the match in the 70th minute to push ahead 27-10. 
 

Hong Kong showed a glimpse of its ability late, when they scored a nice offload try of their own after Belgium fumbled a high ball late in the game, setting the visitors up with an attacking scrum at the 22-metre line. 
 

Scrumhalf Brendon Nell started the move with an outlet pass to Nathan De Thierry who did well to find the onrushing Isaac Campbell-Wu. 


Campbell-Wu crashed the line well to create space for an offload to wing Seb Brien. Brien carried almost to the line before he was brought down in the tackle, but the Hong Kong sevens star managed a quick pass to Nell for the try. De Thierry’s conversion brought the final to 27-17 as time expired. 
 

Coming off their first game in four months, the men’s XV will have amassed some crucial match experience ahead of the final rounds of the Nations Cup 2026 with games against USA and Canada over the coming fortnight in France. 
 

“We blooded some new players and for a lot of us it’s our first game since Uruguay, so definitely a hit out that we needed and one that will put us in good standing going into the Nations Cup,” said Hrstich.

Head coach Andrew Douglas agreed with his skipper saying, “We weren't accurate enough; we made too many errors; and when we were under pressure, our decision making probably went out the window a bit, but it's our first game for a long time and it showed. We gifted them a few easy scores and they made the most of it. They're a good side, and we have to respect what they've done, but this match was ideal for us. We need more of these games, and we're searching for them. It was a tough day for us, but I think we'll be better next week,” said Douglas.

World Class Rugby Returns to Hong Kong on 21 November

The finale of the Nations Cup will see Hong Kong China Rugby host Tonga on 21 November in a doubleheader of rugby action with the HKCR Men’s and Women’s XVs both in action against the Pacific Island rugby powerhouse.

Hong Kong Rugby fans can purchase their tickets via the public sale beginning at 5:00pm on 2 November 2026.  

Diehard fans can pre-register for tickets at the HKCR fanzone for early access to the general sale starting from 10:00am on Monday, 2 November.  Reserved seating for the matches is HK$250, with Adult prices at $180, Students at $140, Children at $100.  It always pays to play rugby, as registered members of HKCR clubs are eligible for a HK$50 discount across all ticket classes. 
 

Hong Kong China Rugby Nations Cup Squad vs Belgium, 31 October

1. Sunia FAMEITAU; 2. Harry BARON; 3. Faizal SOLOMONA-PENESA; 4. Maximilian MURHPY; 5. James RIVERS; 6. Jack BARTLETT; 7. Pierce MACKINLAY-WEST; 8. Josh HRSTICH (Captain); 9. Jack COMBES; 10. Nathan De THIERRY; 11. Seb BRIEN; 12. Isaac CAMPBELL-WU; 13. Benjamin CARTER-SMITH*; 14. Charles HIGSON-SMITH; 15. Paul ALTIER; 16. Alexander POST; 17. Thomas CONCU; 18. Keelan CHAPMAN; 19. Lachlan DOHENY; 20. Dana FOURIE; 21. Brendon NELL; 22. Dylan McCANN; 23. Marcus RAMAGE. Coach: Alexander DOUGLAS; Manager: Charles CHEUNG.