PUBLISHED ON 18 AUG 2025
Hong Kong China Rugby (HKCR) is pleased to announce the promotion of Logan Asplin to the role of Head Coach for the Hong Kong China Men’s XVs. Asplin will lead the team at the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia, after qualification was secured thanks to victory in this summer’s Asia Rugby Men’s Championship.
Fellow New Zealander Andrew Douglas had held the Head Coach position since his appointment as HKCR’s Head of Technical Rugby in 2023. He will now expand his role and oversee a new full-time men’s programme to prepare for the World Cup campaign.
Asplin has been involved in the team’s coaching setup since 2022, alongside his role as Club Coaching Officer for Hong Kong Football Club. He shared his delight at now transitioning into the full-time Head Coach role, as well as looking ahead to the opportunity that awaits the group in Australia:
“There will be 24 teams at the World Cup, and it’s obviously a privilege for me to be one of the 24 people that get to lead a big coaching and playing group there. It's all probably come around quicker than I would have ever expected, but I pride myself on knowing the players really well. We have respect that goes both ways between me and the players, as well as the rest of the management group.
“I think excitement has got to be the driving part of our experience at the World Cup. As coaches we talk about it not only being the first time for the players, but the first time for all of us as well. We've got to go celebrate that and make sure that we make the experience memorable, and we have to make ourselves visible as well.”
In confirming Asplin's appointment, Douglas commented:
"Logan played a key role in the Asia Rugby Men's Championship campaign as a coach, driving our attack and instilling an expansive style of play. He is widely respected by the coaching staff, playing group, and across the rugby community in Hong Kong.
"I believe this move is a natural progression for Logan and also a testament to the pathway that exists for coaches coming into rugby in Hong Kong. He will bring a great energy and enthusiasm to his new role, and we all look forward to seeing him coaching at the World Cup.”
Douglas, who also manages the Men’s Club Coaching Officers that work for the six Hong Kong Premiership Clubs (alongside coaching on representative campaigns), explained more about the changes being made to the men's programme:
"Since qualifying for the World Cup, we have already contracted 26 full-time players to a programme that is designed to give us the best possible preparation for the tournament, with more set to join in the coming months. "This programme obviously requires a full-time devoted coaching team, which we have not had in recent years. Lewis Evans will continue in his role as a full-time coach, and we will also bring in a scrum coach and an additional S&C coach – and I'm excited to see the group come together."
Asplin boasts an impressive track record of producing winning teams, having come to Hong Kong after leading the prestigious Hamilton Boys High to five regional titles. He also has a strong background in developing pathway talent, coaching both the New Zealand U18 Sevens and the Waikato Chiefs U18s, as well as Hong Kong China at the World Rugby U20s Trophy in 2023, and has always operated with a person-first philosophy.
Asplin achieved phenomenal success in his three seasons at Hong Kong Football Club, securing three Premiership League wins and two Premiership Grand Championship titles. Reflecting on his experience in Hong Kong so far and his time with Hong Kong Football Club, he said:
“When we moved here my wife Anna was amazingly supportive, and at the time we had a three-year-old and an eight-month-old. The people around you also make that transition to Hong Kong easier, from friendships to rugby people to colleagues.
“I’ve got a lot to thank Football Club for because I inherited a group that was well-organised, that was passionate, and that had enjoyed success before. My goal was to take that to another level and try and leave the team in a better place than when I found it.”
Asplin’s move means there is now an opportunity for a new coach to make their mark at Hong Kong Football Club, with the Men’s Club Coaching Officer role for the new season advertised today on the HKCR Career Opportunities webpage. Douglas added:
“A fantastic opportunity has been freed up for another coach, whether based in Hong Kong or overseas, to coach at Hong Kong Football Club. This will further strengthen the men's game in Hong Kong, as well as play a key role in developing talent that may go on and wear the Hong Kong China jersey.”
