HONG KONG CHINA U20s READY FOR WORLD RUGBY CHALLENGER CUP

The World Rugby U20 Challenger Cup kicks off next week in Santiago, Chile, bringing together eight international teams across two pools. Held as a standalone competition this year, the tournament will see hosts Chile joined by Hong Kong China, Brazil and Romania in Pool A, while Pool B features Canada, Namibia, Belgium and Portugal.

For Hong Kong China, the tournament represents an important step in the development pathway towards the senior men’s game. With a number of young players returning from overseas to join the programme, the squad has been building towards the competition through a demanding preparation period in Hong Kong.

Head Coach Sian Moore reflects on the makeup of the squad and her key outcomes for the campaign:

“We have a high volume of our Performance Academy players, from both the Hysan Youth Academy and our Hong Kong Sports Institute Academy. We’re also fortunate to include some of our overseas-based performance players, as well as a good balance of experienced players and new caps which provides a great mix of experience and freshness.”

Moore’s driving goal is to provide exposure to performance rugby, as well as supporting and challenging the players to seize the opportunity in front of them: 

“There’s an on field perspective, but also we want to develop the athletes as people who are good learners and problem solvers, and who love representing Hong Kong China.”

When it comes to the rugby, Moore counts speed as Hong Kong China’s strength.

“We have dynamic players that are able to keep the ball alive and play with high tempo. The squad have a rounded skill set that suite the Hong Kong style of play.”

Senior Assistant Coach Sam Beard, who has been leading the team’s attack preparations in Santiago, reflects on the group’s progress so far:

“The group has been exposed to some areas of the game, both on and off the field, that potentially they haven’t experienced before. We have seen some huge strides in these areas and they have come together well. It has been a tough preparation phase for them, training through a Hong Kong summer, which they have undertaken with great enthusiasm.”

For Beard, the tournament is about more than numbers on the scoreboard. The three-week campaign will also give the players an opportunity to experience the demands and expectations of a full-time rugby environment.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for these young men to embrace a challenge. Spending three weeks away together, they will be exposed to what it’s like to be in a professional environment. With five-day turnarounds, making sure they implement good performance habits and have the ability to back up will be crucial.

“For the players to gain exposure to a competition with this level of opposition is significant for their development and crucial for their growth as they take positive steps towards the senior men’s space in the future.”

Players to watch

With an exciting group of young attacking players heading to Santiago, Beard has highlighted several prospects for fans to keep an eye on.

“Kai Tiltman’s skillset, work rate and ability to ball-carry, as well as put others around him into space, makes him a player for fans to keep an eye out for.

“Liam Gordon is a rangy player who understands the game well. He has a strong ability to offload and put himself into good positions in attack.

“Gabe Horberry at nine has the ability to vary his play and put players around him into space, which will be crucial to keeping the opposition guessing.”

There is a real sense of excitement within the group as the significance of the opportunity begins to sink in. For Gordon, the tournament represents an important moment not only for the players involved, but for the wider development of men’s XVs rugby in Hong Kong China.

“This is an important moment for those of us in the programme and to bring boys back from overseas. We’re really strengthening our young players and hopefully inspiring growth as we head towards upcoming Rugby World Cups and tournaments like that.”

After a demanding preparation period, Gordon believes the team’s work on transition play could prove an important strength when they take to the field.

“We’ve been training well and working a lot on our transitions, and I think that’s going to be a huge positive for us. It’s all about getting the ball into space.

“The home game, first game up against the hosts, Chile, under the lights – that will be huge. We’ve been working towards a big stage, so now we’ve got to get it right out there and show up.”

For Horberry, the strength of the group has been another major positive during the preparation phase, with players from different backgrounds coming together to form a cohesive squad.

“That connection in our group has been really good – very smooth and natural, considering there have been a few different groups brought together for this campaign.”

And with the Rugby World Cup on the horizon, Horberry knows there is plenty at stake for Hong Kong China’s emerging generation of players.

“With the upcoming Rugby World Cup, there’s a massive opportunity for Hong Kong to make history. That’s always going to be incredibly motivating.”

The U20 Challenger Cup can be watched live via RugbyPass TV, and tickets are available from Ticketmaster.

Key Details

2 October, 19:00 Hong Kong China V Chile 

7 October, 13:00 Hong Kong China V Brazil 

12 October, 10:00 Hong Kong China V Romania

17 October, Pool Play TBC

Travelling Squad

Staff

Siân MOORE - Head Coach

Sam BEARD - Senior Assistant Coach

Kevin WEST - Assistant Coach

Lane PROCTER - S&C Coach

Maisie BRYMER - Analyst

Christopher TONG - Physiotherapist

Debby SHIH - Physiotherapist

Katrina ROSZYNSKI - Team Manager