WXV3 OPENING MATCH - FIJI 38-3 HONG KONG CHINA

Hong Kong China Battle Hard But Fall To Strong Fijiana Side in WXV3 2024 Opener

Hong Kong China Women put their bodies on the line in a tough opening fixture against the higher-ranked Fijiana team at the Emirates Stadium in Dubai on a windy and warm Saturday evening, but it was not enough to prevent a 38-3 loss.

Fiji were ranked 15th and Hong Kong China 17th coming into the clash, which was the first time the two sides had played each other on neutral soil. More importantly, the Pacific islanders had played eight tests this year, while this was the first test match for Hong Kong China since the Asia Rugby Women’s Championship four months ago.

From the onset, Hong Kong China was put under pressure by the Fijian physical presence, which was a hallmark all match, as the Fijians ran in two tries in the opening five minutes to lead 10-0.

As has been a trademark of this Hong Kong China side, the girls bounced back to show their resolve after the initial poor start and were engaged in a tense and tough opening forty minutes which saw the Fijians concede two yellow cards – but the only inroads made into the Fiji lead was a penalty from the boot of Fung Hoi-ching in the 15th minute to make it 10-3.

Hong Kong China Head Coach Andrew Douglas said afterwards, "We are disappointed and we let ourselves down at times. We were a bit shell-shocked in those first five minutes and made a nervous start. We did well to get ourselves back into the game. We knocked the ball over the try line before halftime and then conceded (after the hooter) so it could have been 10-10 all at halftime and the game could have been very different."

The second half was a real grind as the Fijians dominated the set piece and wrestled away any momentum Hong Kong China hoped to achieve in the second half. The side also had a late yellow card themselves just before the break which made it a bigger challenge. 

The Fijians ran out with a few more tries in the second half to put the game away, but it was not one in which the girls didn't create chances. 

"We probably have to reflect on our decision-making in key moments. We didn't react to the pressure as well as we would have liked," said Douglas reflectively.

Hong Kong China Women next take on Madagascar (who lost heavily to Spain on Friday night 83-0) followed by the Netherlands (who drew 8-8 with Samoa in their Saturday night clash) and and there are still positives to work on as the side switches their focus.

The Head Coach added, “We know we can play the style to win games and it's about putting ourselves in the right places. We showed that for half an hour in the first half tonight and I think we can keep teams pinned down and strangle them and keep the ball alive for long enough periods. We will trouble teams."

Lee Ka Shun Breaks HKCR Appearance Record

In terms of positives, front-row forward Lee Ka Shun came off the bench to win her 34th cap for Hong Kong China which is a new record, and she said after the game, “I'm proud of our team and I know we are disappointed right now, but as individuals and as a team we need to ask ourselves how we can improve and get that energy up as we still have two important games. We still have a chance to show everyone the best of Hong Kong China women’s rugby."

She reflected on the camp and the squad and added, "There is such good energy from the new girls and so much talent. If we can make the best use of our skills and increase the standards we can really build some great chemistry."

Of the challenge in the pack and the Fijians posed in the set piece she also added that "they held good body positions but we needed to gel better as a unit of 8 in the scrum and it's something we will improve on for the next two games."

On further positive reflection, the Head Coach agreed and re-affirmed "We can compete and we have shown signs of that. We need this kind of exposure and we don't get it often enough to play such physical teams. I can't fault the girl's attitude and we will grow as a nation in women's rugby but we also need to be honest with ourselves, and the girls expect that from me, and we were not good enough tonight but we can be good enough."

There is still all to play for in the competition which determines which two teams will join already qualified Fiji at the Rugby World Cup 2025, in a cross pool competition that also includes Spain and Samoa (view WVX league tables).

Hong Kong China WXV3 Fixtures: The Sevens Stadium, Pitch 2, Dubai 

• Saturday 28 September – Fiji 38-3 Hong Kong China 
• Friday 4 October, 19:00 local (23:00 HKT) – Madagascar vs Hong Kong China (watch live on RugbyPass TV)
• Saturday 12 October, 18:00 local (22:00 HKT) – Netherlands vs Hong Kong China (watch live on RugbyPass TV)

This article was posted in collaboration with our good friends at RugbyAsia247 – check them out for all the latest Asian Rugby news!