East Asia Cup: Hong Kong 14, Japan 24

Japan beat Hong Kong 24-14 in Hokkaido to win the rugby league East Asia Cup 2024. The match was tightly fought but in the end, Hong Kong’s lack of playing time and international fixtures over the last six years allowed Japan to close out the match.

Congratulations to Japan on their victory. Congratulations to all the Hong Kong players and here’s hoping it’s not another six years until the next international.

Hong Kong rugby league squad 2024

Hong Kong v Japan – East Asia Cup
Date: 13:30, 13 October, 2024
Venue: Hokkaido, Japan
Tickets: Free

Additional reporting and images: HK Rugby League

East Asia Cup 2024

After a break of six years, Hong Kong’s rugby league players defend the East Asia Cup against Japan in Hokkaido on the 13 October.

Hong Kong won the East Asia Cup in 2018. It was the first-ever test victory for Hong Kong’s rugby league team in only their second test match.

If you’re in the area drop in and support Hong Kong or watch the match here https://espn2broadcast.takemaster.org/rugby.php

Hk v Japan rugby league 2024

Hong Kong Rugby League squad 2024 (@hongkongrugbyleague)

Hong Kong v Japan – East Asia Cup
Date: 13:30, 13 October, 2024
Venue: Hokkaido, Japan
Tickets: Free

Additional reporting and images: HK Rugby League

Rugby League World Cup 2021 Rescheduled to 2022

Rugby League World Cup 2021 (RLWC2021) have confirmed that the men’s, women’s and wheelchair tournaments will now take place in 2022 from 15 October – 19 November.

RLWC2021 also announced that the opening match and the men’s / women’s doubleheader finals will be played, as originally planned, at St James’ Park, Newcastle and Old Trafford, Manchester respectively.

The tournament starts one week earlier than the 2021 dates so that RLWC2021 falls between the 2022 Commonwealth Games and the 2022 FIFA World Cup this change will allow all 61 games to be televised live.

Tickets for the 2021 tournament will be valid for the same fixture in 2022.

Hong Kong Win Rugby League’s East Asia Cup

Historic victory for the Hong Kong Thundar 32-20 over Japan in the East Asia Cup in Tokyo. The win is Hong Kong’s first ever rugby league test victory, in only their second test match.

The game at Inagi Chuo Park in Tokyo also saw man of the match Hogan Toomalatai become the first ever Hong King international to score a hat trick.

Tries
Hogan Toomalatai (3), Gus Spence, Craig McMurrich, Ghislain Bayleyte

Conversions
Gus Spence, Richard Lindsay (3)

Hong Kong Thunder v Japan

Full back: Tommy Wong #3
Wing: Alvin Chan #16
Centre: Hogan Toomalatai #15
Centre: Ghislain Baleyte #4
Wing: Ben Mouclier #2
Stand off: Jason Fairleigh #20
Half back: Gus Spence #1
Prop: Ben Ryan #23
Hooker: Ringo Lung #7
Prop: Jack Nielsen #22
Second row: Richard Lindsay #10
Second row: Jason Yip #12
Loose forward: Alex Shvets #6

Bench
Toby Lei #18
Udo Wong #11
Alan Newsome #15
Craig McMurrich #13

Additional reporting and images: HK Rugby League

HK Rugby League 9s

Already into it’s fourth year the HKRL 9s will be held on Sunday 27 May at King’s Park and will feature both domestic and overseas teams.

The 9s welcomed it’s first overseas teams last year with the Diamond Chiefs (PNG) and Esarn All Stars (Thailand) joining the competition. Both teams eventually made the final which was one by Diamond Chiefs. The tournament also saw the debut of three out of four domestic teams – Valley Broncos, HKS Reivers and Wan Chai Warriors – who went onto play in the inaugural domestic club competition last year, the ICG Super League.

Hong Kong Rugby League Nines
Date: 27 May, 2018
Venue: Kings Park
Tickets: Free
More info: http://hongkongrugbyleague.com

HK 9s

HK 9s

The inaugural Hong Kong Rugby League Nines take’s place at Kings Park on the 21 October and the HKRL’s preparations for the largest festival of Rugby League in the region continues with interest exceeding initial expectations.

The Festival will see the HKRL run it’s first ever Nines and Mixed Tag Tournament as the league looks to establish an appetite for the code in Hong Kong and across Asia.

Formed in late 2014, the HKRL has been spent the first part of this year educating Hong Kongers about the game, with a series of social and ‘come and try’ events over the past few months to allow people to see what Rugby League is.

“When we formed the board back in December, our primary goal was always to more people locally playing Rugby League. Whilst we had plenty of hurdles to sort out first including registering the business, organising funding, insurance and even finding grounds to train at, everyone involved in the HKRL has been working together to ensure that the upcoming Nines and Mixed Tag Challenge will be as successful as they can be” HKRL Chairman James Hall commented.

Both events will feature six teams, and already spaces for both tournaments being filled at a steady rate. “Only two team spots remain for the Nines. As those who follow us would have seen, the Hunters, Wan Chai Warriors and Coastal Cobras have all confirmed their entry, secured their base squads and their team kits. We have also had a fourth team commit, which will be announced in the coming days” James added.

“On the Mixed Tag side, two teams have been locked in, whilst we’ve had plenty of enquiries from a range of social and sporting clubs for the remaining four. We are hoping to lock down all the participants and teams soon, however at the same time want to ensure as many people can take part as possible. We will also investigate the possibility of a inter-school game being hosted on the day depending on venue availability.”

HKRL has already held one inter-school game in 2015, with King George V Secondary School defeating Harrow International School with more planned for later in the year. So far the HKRL has had success offering League training at four schools in the region, the Australian International School and Sha Tin College being the other participants.

“The HKRL has taken a holistic approach to spreading the code. From touch, tag, nines and tackle versions of Rugby League, to juniors, schools and open age, we want to make sure there is an offering for anyone who wants to pick up a Steeden and have a go.”

Hong Kong Rugby League Nines
Date: 21 October, 2015
Venue: Kings Park
Tickets: Free
More info: http://hongkongrugbyleague.com/nines/