Hong Kong China Men’s XV Are Rebuilding – ARMC 2023 Title Is The Focus

With preparations completed for the Hong Kong China Men’s XV final match of the ARMC 2023, they know a win against South Korea on Saturday 17th June at HKFC will see them lift a fourth Asia Rugby Mens Championship in a row. It’s the kind of building blocks captain Tom Hill and Head Coach Lewis Evans desire as part of the rebuilding phase and new Rugby World Cup cycle to try and qualify in 2027. We spoke with both of them on the eve of the title decider in Hong Kong.

“What a difference seven days makes?” Welshman Lewis Evans smiles and told us while we sat in the damp and rainy conditions pitchside having seen his team complete their captain’s run.

“I think last week was very difficult for our boys. It was very hot but we adapted really well. We’ve got a game plan for tomorrow and we might need to tweak one or two options, potentially. But in terms of our strategy, it won’t alter too much.” The Hong Kong China Head Coach was positive and reflective, as he looks to maintain his own, albeit short, undefeated record at home.

The rain has been pouring down in Hong Kong for a few days, and the match on Saturday 17th June 2023, in all likelihood, will be played in the wet.

However, everyone knows the weather is unpredictable. Tom Hill will be captaining his team out for the second time in a row and had a big grin etched across his face “I mean if it keeps raining for the next 24 hours, maybe that’ll change (their gameplan), but we’re prepared for anything. If it dumps down rain, or if the sun comes out, you never know in Hong Kong.”

Photo Credit: HKRU / Ike Li / Ike Images – Team Hong Kong China captain’s run ahead of their match vs South Korea – Asia Rugby Men’s Championship 2023 at Hong Kong Football Club, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong

The whole HKRU squad and management were buzzing at HKFC as the final little intricacies were ironed out. Despite the torrential downpours, there were smiles aplenty at the Happy Valley ground. The collective mood was buoyant knowing that a strong 80 minutes could earn them silverware – but the eyes are firmly focused on the challenges further down the line of achieving RWC status. They are also self-aware that this dream which has alluded them needs a lot of work, players, depth, and more international fixtures.

Our last few interactions with Coach Lewis Evans were via Zoom as he and his team trekked across the globe to win the Asia Rugby Championship in 2022, before playing Tonga in Australia, and then competing in the Repechage in Dubai. It was a complicated journey but you could sense from the man his relief that those pandemic-impacted days are behind us all.

“We are in a bit of a transition. But ultimately, we want to win. There are a few new faces in the group (in the ARMC 2023) and we want to expose them to the international level for the long term. Fundamentally, we’re still building our team around the likes of players like Tommy Hill, and Patrick Jenkinson. We had some real selection headaches from last week. Obviously, when you score 80+ points, the performances were there, and there were some really tough calls. We’re pretty confident that we’ve got a competitive squad,” Evans told us.

Photo Credit: HKRU / Ike Li / Ike Images – Team South Korea captain’s run before they face Hong Kong China in the 2023 Asia Rugby Men’s Championship 2023 at Hong Kong Football Club, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong

Respect The Jersey – But Enjoy Playing At Home

Hong Kong China captain Tom Hill had mentioned his parents had flown over to watch the weekend’s game. It is something all the players and staff are aware of, the opportunity to play in front of family and friends – something so many had been denied during the past few years.

“Every test match you get the opportunity to be picked for Hong Kong China is special. But to do it here in front of friends and family in Hong Kong – it’s amazing and really special. Hopefully, we can do the job but our focus is on the game first and then we can think about the celebrations after.”

Evans added he hadn’t realised last week’s match was the first to be played in Hong Kong for such a long time. “Everyone was so excited. I hope the weather doesn’t dampen the spirits but I know it won’t dampen the player’s spirits. The atmosphere was great last week and we’re hoping to sell out this week. The biggest challenge now is to put in a really good performance this weekend.”

“We are coming in confident, and have things in place to combat what South Korea can offer, but ultimately it comes down to us backing up our performance and getting consistency in our game,” he added.

The team has no confirmed fixtures following the match this weekend but the HKRU are hopeful some more internationals can be lined up for the Men’s XV in 2023.

Hong Kong, China Squad – ARMC 2023 vs South Korea – 17th June 2023

 1. Ben HIGGINS, 2. Alexander POST, 3. Faizel SOLOMONA PENESA, 4. Callum MCCULLOUGH, 5. Patrick JENKINSON (vice-capt.), 6. Sam TSOI Kin-san, 7. James SAWYER, 8. Luke van der SMIT 9. Jamie LAUDER, 10. Gregor MCNEISH, 11. Seb BRIEN, 12. Tom HILL (Captain), 13. Harry SAYERS, 14. Charles HIGSON-SMITH, 15. Nate DE THIERRY, 16. Matt KEAY, 17. Zac CINNAMOND, 18. Keelan CHAPMAN, 19. Josh HRSTICH, 20. Pierce MACKINLAY-WEST, 21. Bryn PHILLIPS, 22. Dylan WHITE, 23. Will PANDAY.

There is free streaming via Asia Rugby and HKRU for the ARMC 2023 final match:

• Hong Kong China vs South Korea – HKRU Live Stream link (Kickoff 5 PM local time)
• Asia Rugby’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.

Asian Rugby Team News 2023

• Hong Kong China vs South Korea Match Preview.
• Asia Rugby Championship 2023 – Hong Kong China, South Korea & Malaysia.
• Asian Rugby Championship Division 1 2023.
• Japan World Rugby U20 Championship 2023 Squad.