Global Rapid Rugby: All-Asian Showcase

The Global Rapid Rugby Showcase series will host its first match on Asian soil this Sunday 21st April 2019 as Hong Kong’s South China Tigers (SCT) take on the Singaporean-based Asian Pacific Dragons (APD).

Both teams have already played a match in Perth, and both lost to the Western Force. The two Asian sides will be eager to notch up their first win and GRR will be as eager for a sell-out crowd and local buy-in to the competition from rugby fans in Asia.

The SCT lost their opener 45-22 against the Australian Force and coach Craig Hammond told GRR “It’s a must win, otherwise, we go to Singapore where it will be tough to play them, and then we have the Force. So Sunday is both a massive challenge and opportunity.”

In line with the GRR trying to offer a stadium experience, the South China Tigers have been offering discount tickets to youths with the ground set to feature live music, Easter Egg scavenger hunts, arts and crafts, stilt walkers, balloon twisters, face painters and more.

All U12 ticket holders have also been invited to join the SCT pre-match mini rugby clinic, hosted by HKRU coaches and your and South China Tigers players.

South China Tigers vs Asian Pacific Dragons lineups

South China Tigers

Starting XV: 1.Benjamin HIGGINS, 2.Alexander POST, 3.Tau KOLOMATANGI, 4.Fin FIELD, 5.Craig LODGE, 6.James SAWYER, 7.Josh DOWSING, 8.Luke VAN DER SMIT, 9.Liam SLATEM(c), 10.Glyn HUGHES, 11.Tom VARNDELL, 12.Matthew ROSSLEE, 13.Lewis WARNER, 14.Samisoni NASAGAVESI, 15.Nathan DE THIERRY,

Reserves: 16.Mitch ANDREWS, 17.Adam FULLGRABE, 18.Grant KEMP, 19.Kyle SULLIVAN, 20.James CUNNINGHAM, 21.Jamie LAUDER, 22.Tom HILL, 23.Ma CHONG

Asia Pacific Dragons

Starting XV: 1.Latu TALAKAI, 2.Michael LEA, 3.Ropate RINAKAMA, 4.Louis CONRADIE, 5.Joketani KOROI, 6.Naulia DAWAI, 7.Fotu LOKOTUI, 8.Nili LATU, 9.Leon FUKOFUKA, 10.Kali HALA, 11.Mitchell SCOTT, 12.Latiume FOSITA, 13.Stacy ILLI (c), 14.Sireli BOBO, 15.Asaeli TIKOIROTUMA,

Reserves: 16.Sekonaia POLE, 17.Taniela KOROI, 18.Haamea AHIO, 19.Mike McKEE, 20.Declan MARTENS, 21.Rowan GOUWS, 22.Naibuka ROKUA, 23.Junior LALOIFI

• Date: Sunday 21st April (15:10 local HK time)
• Venue: Aberdeen Sports Ground, Hong Kong

For more about Global Rapid Rugby, read here.