HONG KONG CHINA MEN LOOK AHEAD TO OPENING MATCH OF RUGBY WORLD CUP

Hong Kong China Rugby will play the hosts Australia in the opening match of the Men's Rugby World Cup 2027. On the team's debut appearance at the Rugby World Cup, the team have been handed the showcase game in Perth, fittingly on 1 October, National Day of the People’s Republic of China.

“There has been a huge buzz around the place today,” said Logan Asplin, Head Coach of the Hong Kong China Rugby Men’s XVs after the schedule was announced.

“There was some initial surprise, because we thought our first game would be against Chile, but it was pretty exciting. We talked around the excitement of us being there for the first time and this only enhances that excitement, and it gives us an opportunity to make another part of history.”

On Saturday 9 October, Hong Kong China will face Chile on the other side of Australia at the North Queensland Stadium in Townsville.  

The team will conclude pool play against New Zealand on Friday 15 October, at the Docklands Stadium in Melbourne.

“Your three pool games are going to happen regardless, and in what order I don’t think it really matters. I do like playing on Friday and then having eight days turnaround for Chile. They will have seven days to turnaround, and we both move between probably the two furthest apart venues in Australia, but that’s all part of buckling in for the experience.

“What an occasion to start against Australia. To be involved in the Opening Ceremony and see how they start the tournament will be really special, it allows us to be a part of how they celebrate, and the cultural piece around the land and the journey, so to be along for the ride is awesome.

“When you are put on centre stage, you are thrust into the spotlight. Walking forward into that pressure, and understanding that this is our first time and our first journey, and that number 7 in the world versus number 23 is a battle, it’s going to be about our resilience and making sure in that first game when there is thousands of eyes on us that we express ourselves and play the way we want to play. We want to set a line in the sand about what we stand for and what people can expect from us for the additional two games, and ideally more than that in the tournament,” added Asplin.

For fans interested in purchasing general admission tickets from World Rugby, you can find more details here: https://rwc2027.rugbyworldcup.com 

Hong Kong China Rugby will be organising all-inclusive travel packages to the tournament. Please pre-register your details and preferences here and we will be in touch with more information: https://fanzone.hkrugby.com/tb_app/542772