The Hong Kong Rugby Union (HKRU) has confirmed that the top-flight rugby union leagues (Men’s Saxo Markets Premiership & KPMG Women’s Premiership) have been cancelled this season due to the COVID-19 situation.
HKRU 2021 Premiership Rugby Season Cancelled
The HKRU said it “consulted with all senior and youth clubs, and noted that concerns remain in the community over potential quarantine complications and the risk of Covid transmission; this has led to the withdrawal of a number of teams who have indicated that they were not comfortable to return to play this season.”
A total of 39 senior men’s and women’s teams indicated they are keen to resume competition in April, while 33 opted to withdraw from their respective competitions. You can see more about the initial suspension of the season here.
Mr Robbie McRobbie, Chief Executive of the HKRU told the SCMP: “The results indicated that were was still some fairly significant sentiment of concern about resuming playing.
The team entry numbers show that the lower divisions clubs were able to consolidate teams and there will be a drop-off in the numbers of teams in the national and community leagues.”
Photo Credit (HKRU) – HKRU Premiership season 2020-2021 has been cancelled
Modified 2021 HKRU Rugby Season
The HKRU confirmed that modified seasons’ will resume from 10th April 2021. There will still be a season for:
- Men’s Championship
- National League
- Community Leagues One, Two and Three
- Women’s National Leagues One and Two
- Youth leagues (will resume on 4th April 2021)
Mr Robbie McRobbie added, “The HKRU will continue with our graduated return to play protocol for the majority of members that are keen to continue playing, and we look forward to kicking off the second half of the season in April.
HKRU Youth leagues will resume on 4th April 2021
Hong Kong National Rugby Teams
The Hong Kong national men’s and women’s 7s players had already been withdrawn from domestic competition in preparation for the Olympic Repechage on 19-20 June 2021 in Monaco.
McRobbie said of the national 7s team players, “We always knew the sevens players would be withdrawn at some point in preparation for the repechage. All of these reasons led to the disappointing but inescapable conclusion that we were not going to be able to play and men’s and women’s Premiership.”
The Women’s XV are still expected to take part in the Asia Rugby Championship (ARC) which will determine a spot at the Rugby World Cup in NZ in 2022, while the men’s XV ARC is scheduled to run from May- June 2021.
The Hong Kong Rugby Union previously confirmed it Elite Rugby Programme (ERP) would end for players and staff on 30 June 2021.
We previously asked Asia Rugby if there was an updated schedule as their website was out of date and were informed all media would be notified when changes are made.
Hong Kong Rugby News
- Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2021.
- Your Guide to the Asia Rugby 2021 Competitions.
- Hong Kong Football Club 10s postponed until 2022.
- Fat Boy 10s 2021 Hong Kong.
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