The 2019 HKFC GFI 10s provided some upsets to the seeded teams on the first day and promises an exciting finals day on Thursday 4th April 2019.
The Classic Wallabies, coached by Stephen Larkham, and Scotland’s Projecx Waterboys both made it to the Cup quarter-finals, exceeding their seedings at the start of the tournament. It is the first time both teams have reached the Cup playoffs. Scottish based Projecx Waterboys provided the upset of the day defeating defending champions Biarritz Gavekal 14-12 to remain unbeaten (both sides progressed from group A).
Projecx Waterboys also beat eighth seeds Kir Club Pyrenees 17-5 and Shanghai RFC Silver Dragons 60-0.
Projecx Waterboys Day 1 HKFC GFI 10s 2019
Projecx Waterboys team manager Bruce Douglas said “The boys worked incredibly hard. I think the boys were a bit irritated to be seeded ninth, so they were keen to put a marker down and play well. The standard’s really high and the standard always goes up on day two, so we’re mindful of that and we’ll have to play better. Certainly, teams will not take us lightly. We will expect to do well, so we have to deliver on that.”
The Classic Wallabies managed to win against 11th seeds defeat Asia Pacific Dragons 19-5 and two-time champions Grove Penguins 14-12 before falling 15-12 to hosts Natixis HKFC. The last game was also soured by some injuries which will test the squad on day two.
Classic Wallabies – Day 1 HKFC GFI 10s 2019
“I’m really proud of the effort by the guys. It has been a really tough day. It was the pool of death and you can see that,” said Larkham. “We’re going through to the Cup, which is what we came here to do, but the issue for us is that we picked up four injuries…The effort and resilience of these young boys has blown us away and the old guys are hanging in there – just.”
Grove Penguins finished 2nd in Group C to also progress to the Cup.
Samurai managed to secure three wins from three to also progress to the Cup stage as well as Mourant Fiji Army from Pool D.
Second seeds Tradition YCAC, topped Pool B ahead of seventh seeds A-Trade Overseas Old Boys to see both teams progress to the Cup quarterfinals. For all results see the GFI 10s website.
Day two will see the tournament knockout stages decided and this year everyone will be excited to see the Rugby Legends Tackle cancer game at 3.50pm (HK time).
Thursday 4th April schedule
Bowl Quarter Finals
- Kir Club Pyrenees vs. Taikoo Place Scottish Exiles
- Hunter and Boo East Africans vs. Asia Pacific Dragons
- Natixis HKFC vs. Tiger Rugby
- Irish Vikings vs. Shanghai RFC Silver Dragons
Cup Quarter Finals
- Projecx Waterboys vs. A-Trade Overseas Old Boys
- Samurai International vs. Classic Wallabies
- Grove Penguins vs. Mourant Fiji Army
- Tradition YCAC vs. Biarritz Gavekal
You can read the full guide on the teams and events of the HKFC GFI 10s 2019 here.
(all images credited to HKFC GFI 10s)
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