Hong Kong’s men etched their name in rugby history on Saturday with a commanding 70-22 victory over South Korea in Incheon, securing their first-ever Rugby World Cup berth. The emphatic win not only sealed their sixth consecutive Asia Rugby Championship title, but also punched their ticket to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
Just three years ago, Hong Kong scraped past South Korea with a last-gasp kick. But this time, it was sheer dominance. By halftime, they had raced to a 39-point lead, powered by an unstoppable forward pack that laid the foundation for a performance to remember.
Six tries came from the forwards. Alex Post and Josh Hrstich each scored twice, while James Sawyer and Luke van der Smit added their own. The backs lit up the field too, with Matt Worley, Paul Altier, Harry Sayers, and Max Denmark crossing over.
Despite a red card to Ben Axten-Burrett, Hong Kong never lost control. South Korea’s late tries by Chang Yong-heung offered little relief. Meanwhile, UAE’s 29-21 win over Sri Lanka earned them second place and a playoff spot against an African nation for a final qualification chance.
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| TIGERS UNITED |
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