https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2017/Hong-Kong-v-Spain-30-May-2017-courtesy-of-JFS-Rugby/i-rLSWbxV
Hong Kong will look to build on their pool match performance against Wales as they face familiar foes Spain in the 9th place semi-final which kicks-off at 9:30pm Hong Kong time and will be live streamed on the World Rugby facebook page.
Coach Jo Hull has named a strong squad for what she calls the side’s most important match of the Rugby World Cup so far.
“We are expecting a big one. That’s the World Cup, every game is important, but for us, these next games are the most crucial games of the tournament. These next two games are where we need to make our mark a bit more in terms of showing we are not just a brave team, but are able to play rugby and execute our game plan at this level,” said Hull
She will be looking for more improvement against Spain who beat Hong Kong 41-18 in June. That follows a previous tour to Spain in 2015 which marked Hong Kong’s first ever test against a non-Asian opponent.
“We are calm and focused but also very excited because for us this is a genuine benchmark opportunity. We have played Spain in the last couple of years but this is a different match-up for us now, to have a chance to play them again after being at the World Cup and to help measure our progress,” Hull continued.
“The most significant point is that every game we are improving. That was one of our key goals coming into [the Rugby World Cup] and that is what our stats and the way we are playing are showing.”
“The girls are very focused and they know the challenge ahead. I also think the girls know they have won some hearts and minds of the fans here and have been given a lot of respect, which is really heart-warming, but the girls know that to create their legacy they now need to play some better rugby.”
Reflecting the do or die nature of the match, in which Hong Kong will hope to advance to the 9th place final against the winner of Japan versus Italy, Hull has stuck with a majority of the squad that posed problems for Wales.
Nine of the starting fifteen against Wales will again start against Spain, including four forwards in locking partnership of captain Chow Mei-nam and Chan Ka-yan, tighthead prop Lee Ka-Shun and flanker Agnes Chan Tsz-ching who continues to impress.
Sevens captain and fifteen-a-side flanker Christy Cheng Ka-chi comes in to the starting pack alongside another experienced campaigner in No.8 Amelie Seure.
The halfback duo of scrumhalf Chloe Mak-yee and flyhalf Rose Hopewell-Fong have also been retained as have Adrienne Garvey and Natasha Olson-Thorne, who scored Hong Kong’s first points and try respectively at a Rugby World Cup in the final pool match.
Laurel Chor Lik-fung and Colleen Tjosvold round out the back three with pocket rocket Chong Ka-yan, another try-scorer against Wales who has owned the left wing spot since the start of the World Cup.
Following the Wales outline, scrumhalf Jessica Ho and flyhalf Lee Tsz-ting will back up the halfbacks on the bench with Tsang Sin-yan resuming her spot in the reserves from Hong Kong’s last outing. Back Lau Sze-wa and forward Winnie Siu round out the reserves ahead of the Spain test.
Spain lost its opening two pool matches against England (5-56) and the United States (0-43) before bouncing back for a 22-8 win over Italy.
https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2017/Hong-Kong-v-Spain-30-May-2017-courtesy-of-JFS-Rugby/i-fSQ5cPT
Hong Kong v Spain (WRWC 9th place semi-final)
1. WONG Yuen-shan, 2. Karen SO, 3. LEE Ka-shun, 4. CHOW Mei-nam (captain), 5. Chan Ka-yan, 6. Christy CHENG Ka-chi, 7. CHAN Tsz-ching, 8. Amelie SEURE, 9. MAK Ho-yee, 10. Rose HOPEWELL-FONG, 11. CHONG Ka-yan, 12. Natasha OLSON-THORNE, 13. Adrienne GARVEY, 14. Laurel CHOR Lik-fung, 15. Colleen TJOSVOLD, 16. Royce CHAN Leong-sze, 17. LAU Nga-wun, 18. PUN Wai-yan, 19. Winnie SIU, 20. TSANG Sin-yan, 21. Jessica HO Wai-on, 22. LEE Tsz-ting, 23. LAU Sze-wa.
Photos: JFS Rugby Photography
Additional reporting: HKrugby