The Hong Kong Rugby Union’s men’s U19s team opened the Asia Rugby U19s championship in style with a six-try, 43-9, win over Malaysia earlier the week. It was the first match in years for both teams - and looked it at times - with a high penalty count leading to stop-start action and some acrobatic scores as Hong Kong’s backs showed good juggling skills to convert often wild passes into points.

Noticeably bigger and fitter than their opponents, Hong Kong had the better of it in the early going despite heavy ground. The visitors converted a Malaysian miscue into the first points with a well-struck penalty from flyhalf Cooper Wnek giving the visitors a 3-0 lead. Hong Kong stretched that margin to 10-0 when centre Tanner Holland scored the game’s first try with Wnek adding the conversion. Holland’s score was the result of an aggressive rush defence that forced bobbles from Malaysia throughout the match. Holland came into the line at pace and demonstrated good ball control skills to collect the errant Malaysian outlet pass and give Hong Kong its first five-pointer. After that, a match in which Malaysia never really threatened grew further out of reach as Hong Kong began to gel after only a few sessions training together. Still, the side was its own worst enemy down the stretch with attacks squandered by knock-ons and off-sides penalties.

Coach Logan Asplin was satisfied with the result, saying, “There were definitely elements that you would expect with a new team on a tight turnaround and with boggy ground underfoot after heavy rains, but we were pleased with the team’s adjustment at half-time, and the way we finished the job.

“There were a lot of positives to take from that game, but we want to work on our consistency and to present some new looks for Chinese Taipei on Sunday. You can train all you want, but you can’t replace match experience. It is great to get these boys some international rugby, and given the challenging build- up I was proud of all of them, both the 23 who all played today, and the five or six guys who were unlucky to miss out on selection but really contributed to the environment well.

“We learned a lot about the players today, some of which was expected and some surprises as well. These players have only scratched the surface of their potential and we can still bring them to another level in their understanding of their roles and the game plan we are trying to implement. I’m just proud and happy to get that performance given the build-up and the way that we adjusted at half-time, for young players like this that can be a real challenge,” added Asplin.

Meanwhile, Chinese Taipei beat Malaysia 38-13 in round two of the triangular Asia Rugby U19s championship yesterday. It was a disaster start for the hosts who allowed three tries in the first ten minutes as they trailed 23-0 at half time. Taipei looked well drilled as it became clear early on that the gap between the veteran U19 challengers Hong Kong and Taipei, and Malaysia - promoted from lower divisions, remains considerable. The visitors added a try in the opening minute of the second half to push past 30 before Malaysia’s first points came from a penalty. They then traded tries and penalties down a niggly second half but Malaysia scored the final 10 points unanswered to close the margin to 38-13.The result pits Hong Kong, against Chinese Taipei for the Asian U19s crown. A win would see Hong Kong claim a seventh straight junior title and a spot at the World Rugby Trophy in Kenya in July, but Asplin was not getting ahead of himself.

“Chinese Taipei certainly looked more organized. They look as if they have spent extended time together which is an advantage for them. They have some size and are dangerous in the lineout with some skilful backs that like to go wide to wide. Still, consistent execution is key at this level and we will see if we can put them under pressure,” he noted.

His focus remains firmly on Hong Kong as they continue to gel and integrate their contingent of six overseas players, a few of whom only joined the squad last Sunday in Malaysia; “This is already a pretty connected group, but even for an U19s this is a younger side, so it can be a challenge to keep that consistency and continue to develop the professional traits we are after.” Preparations continue apace with the team having recovered from Monday’s win and performed initial performance reviews before ramping up the intensity with double days of pitch-based training and strength work in the gym to close out the week. “It is not just about winning at this level, but about preparing the boys for future tours also,” said Asplin.

Another challenge is the continued wet conditions and heavy grounds in Kuala Lumpur, although there could be a break in the weather: “There is hopes for at least no rains at game-time, which would be good for both teams to be able to put on a bit of a spectacle on Sunday”

Hong Kong v Chinese Taipei, 13:00 18 December 2022 is available to stream live on Asia Rugby social channels.