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Hong Kong v Wales @ Cardiff Arms Park

Hong Kong take on Wales tonight [03:00 HK time] at the iconic Cardiff Arms Park in the second and final test of their European Tour. In announcing the team Coach Jo Hull, needing to expose a largely inexperienced squad to international rugby against top ranked countries, has kept the team largely intact from last week’s first, with a few tweaks.

Centre Grace Hood starts in place of Sarah Lucas, whom she replaced at half-time in Alicante. Lucas moves to the bench for the start of the match. Hong Kong sevens contract player Stephanie Chan will get her first start at full-back, while U20s star Jessica Eden earns her first cap for Hong Kong on the wing.

New prop Debby Lam Ka-wai has been named to the bench and Flanker Pun Wai-yan comes in for Maggie Au Yeung who moves to the opposite flank, pushing first test try-scorer Winnie Siu to the bench. Experienced scrum half Sham Wai-sum and utility back Lau Sze-wah also make the bench.

For Hull, the measure of success lies in how much improvement the side shows from game one to two.

“The challenge we have set for the team is that we must see improvement from game to game. The whole purpose of this trip is to improve. This is year one of our three year journey for 2021 [Women’s Rugby World Cup] qualification and even, in the bigger picture, 2025″ said Hull

“This is the group and this is the first step. By playing these teams, the players will get invaluable experience and exposure at this level. We need to expose them as much as possible before 2021 and 2025.”

Hull is under no illusions that the difficulty level is increasing in Wales, ranked ninth in the world entering tonight’s clash.

“Looking at the Spain game, it really was a huge defensive effort from us. The key areas we were lacking in were our set piece and being able to get ahold of the ball initially, and then keep ahold of it and keep that possession.

“We were defending from the start of the game, so our defence has again been a focus for us ahead of Wales. They are a very strong and physical team.

“The breakdown is going to be important for us in terms of being able to stop them from gaining momentum. So we have been looking at our scrum and lineout a lot this week and we need to see significant improvement there.

“It is difficult to play rugby if we are missing a lot of tackles, as we did in Spain. The big challenge is to match their physicality and make sure they don’t run away with the game or build too much momentum early on and not to let them bully us,” continued Hull.

“We felt the subs did well against Spain, so it is reassuring to see that we are starting to develop a bench that can add impact to the game,” Hull added.

Hong Kong v Wales Test (Cardiff Arms Park, Wales, 16 Nov 2018)

1. Lau Nga-Wun, 2. Dr. Karen So (Captain), 3. Yip Cho-Kwan, 4. Chan Ka-Yan, 5. Tsang Ching-Man, 6. Pun Wai-Yan, 7. Maggie Au Yeung, 8. Melody Li (Vice Captain), 9. Jessica Ho, 10. Cheng Lok-Tung, 11. Chong Ka-Yan, 12. Grace Hood, 13. Natasha Olson-Thorne (Vice Captain), 14. Jessica Eden, 15. Stephanie Chan, 16. Charlotte Myrans, 17. Vincci Leung, 18. Lam Ka-Wai, 19. Amber Chan, 20. Winnie Siu, 21. Sham Wai-Sum, 22. Sarah Lucas 23. Lau Sze-Wa.

Additional reporting and images: HKRU, Gai Wu

New Zealand to Host Women’s Rugby World Cup 2021

New Zealand will host the ninth Women’s Rugby World Cup in July and August of 2021. World Rugby awarded the hosting rights for the first tournament in the Southern Hemisphere to Auckland and Whangarei on New Zealand’s North Island by 25 votes to 17 ahead of Australia.

Women’s rugby continues to experience global growth and participation levels are at an all-time high. The six week tournament will be played at four stadiums with the final at the iconic Eden Park, which hosted the men’s Rugby World Cup 2011 final.

According to World Rugby New Zealand and Australia both submitted strong and compelling bids based on the hosting criteria which looked to build on the popularity of the 2017 tournament in Ireland. Which was the best attended Women’s Rugby World Cup and saw over 45 million views across official tournament platforms.

World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont said: “Congratulations to New Zealand on being elected Women’s Rugby World Cup 2021 host. They presented a very strong and compelling bid and we look forward to working with New Zealand Rugby to host a successful and inspiring tournament.

“Women’s rugby continues to grow with over 2.4 million women and girls playing rugby at all levels, accounting for more than a quarter of players globally. With Women’s Rugby World Cup attracting record crowds and broadcast audiences in each of the last three tournaments – Ireland 2017, France 2014 and England 2010 – I am in no doubt that the 2021 tournament, the first to be held in the Southern Hemisphere, will continue this record breaking trend.

“I would also like to thank Australia for its exceptional bid. We hope to welcome Australia back to bid again in the future.”

The New Zealand Government strongly supported the bid and after the announcement, New Zealand Rugby Board Member and former Black Fern Farah Palmer said: “We are honoured and excited to be awarded the WRWC2021 and look forward to delivering the first Women’s Rugby World Cup tournament in the Southern Hemisphere. We are looking forward to working together to deliver a world-class tournament for players, officials, fans, commercial partners and spectators watching around the world.”

New Zealand are the current World Champions after winning their fifth Women’s Rugby World Cup, beating England 41 – 32 in a pulsating final at the Kingspan Stadium in Belfast.

Additional reporting and images: World Rugby

Hong Kong Take on Spain’s Leonas

Six debutants make the starting fifteen against Spain in Alicante (Sunday, 19:30 HK time) as Hong Kong’s women rugby players look to build on last year’s World Cup appearance.

Up front prop Yip Cho-kwan marks her first cap in a front row which also features Tammy Lau and captain and hooker Dr Karen So. Newcomer Tsang Ching-man forms a locking partnership with Angela Chan, while the back row sees flanker Maggie Au Yeung partnering with Winnie Siu and Melody Li at No.8.

Jessica Ho starts at scrumhalf and she will be hoping to get some quality ball to new-comer Cheng Lok-tung at fly-half. Sevens captain Natasha Olson-Thorne will start at outside centre, pairing with U20s graduate Sarah Lucas, while smiling speedster Chong Ka-yan assumes her customary place on the left wing with Bena Yu on the right. Cindy Yuen starts at fullback.

On the bench there are five more new caps with front rowers Charlotte Myrans and Vincci Leung joining flanker Amber Tsang in back-stopping the forwards, while another National Age Grade player Grace Hood is in line for a first cap at centre. Sevens star Stephanie Chan is likely to earn her first cap off the bench which also features the experience of prop Debby Lam and back Chloe Mak.

At the World Cup Spain’s overwhelming pace was apparent as they scored four of their five tries from longer than 50-metres out. Spain was also among the top teams at forcing turnovers, setting the platform for their devastating counter-attacks.

National coach Jo Hull understands this, saying, “They will be fast, with a lot of sevens influence, and will want to play a counterattacking game. They love to counter,” said Hull.

“One of the big things we have been working on is our ability to play at a higher game speed to withstand the intensity of test rugby. That’s the biggest challenge for us, and playing physically stronger teams.”

A year on from the historic first appearance at a fifteen-a-side world cup, the squad has more exposure to the demands of test rugby and another season of strength and conditioning work and high performance training beneath their belts.

After two losing tours to the Iberian Peninsula in recent years and a 31-7 loss to the Leonas at the 2017 Rugby World Cup. Spain will provide an early test of how Hong Kong’s new look team sizes up against one of the world’s leading rugby nations ahead of Rugby World Cup qualification campaign.

Hong Kong v Spain (Alicante, Spain, 11 Nov 2018)

1. Lau Nga-Wun, 2. Dr Karen So (Captain), 3. Yip Cho-Kwan, 4. Chan Ka-Yan, 5. Tsang Ching-Man, 6. Maggie Au Yeung, 7. Winnie Siu, 8. Melody Li, 9. Jessica Ho, 10. Cheng Lok-Tung, 11. Chong Ka-Yan, 12. Sarah Lucas, 13. Natasha Olson-Thorne (Vice Captain), 14. Bena Yu, 15. Cindy Yuen
Reserves: 16. Charlotte Myrans, 17. Vincci Leung, 18. Debby Lam, 19. Amber Tsang, 20. Pun Wai-Yan, 21. Chloe Mak, 22. Grace Hood, 23. Stephanie Chan.

Additional reporting and images: HKRU

Women’s 15s on Tour

Hong Kong’s women’s national 15s team headed to Europe this week for, what will hopefully become an annual, Autumn tour. Hong Kong will play test matches against Spain on 11 November in Alicante, and Wales on 16 November at the legendary Cardiff Arms Park.

With an eye to the future and qualification for the 2021 Rugby World Cup the young 26 player squad features fourteen new caps including several graduates of the HKRU’s National Age Grade programmes. The opportunity for the younger players to experience playing overseas and against players they have never played against before is important Hong Kong coach Jo Hull.

“In my perspective, this is the squad that should be together for the next milestone of Hong Kong Rugby. These are the players we need and now we need to give them time to work together, introduce them to the performance environment and get them that exposure, together as a team, to grow and develop,” said Hull

“It is our first international outing since the Rugby World Cup and a chance to showcase our new players and expose them to that level of rugby, which is what we need to do for future World Cup qualification. These are the players that need to gain that experience. To get it, we have to play against the best and we have to put ourselves into test match environments, as early on as possible,” Hull continued.

With the large number of debutants, Hull will look to her senior players to set the tone. That task will fall to new captain Karen So and Rugby World Cup 2017 veterans Natasha Olson-Thorne, Melody Li, Lau Nga-wun and Chong Ka-yan.

“The veterans stepping up will be huge for us, but even though they are veterans for us, they are still young and a bit inexperienced compared to other teams at this level. They need to lead the team now and we’ve asked them to take more ownership and to foster and bring the younger players on,” added Hull.

Among the tour debutants are the centre s and U20s graduates Grace Hood and Sarah Lucas. The duo were also included in the senior tour to Perth, Australia earlier this year. After training with the national squad over the summer, Hood returned to Bath University at the start of the school term but is meeting up directly with the squad in Europe for the upcoming tests.

“Both of them are, I think, future players for Hong Kong and we are keen to give them a go and see how they get on in a test match environment,” Hull said.

Lucas has been proving her mettle domestically, where she has had some impressive outings for USRC Tigers.

“It’s good to see that we’re starting to get players in from a variety of clubs. We are particularly excited about a contingent of players from Kowloon and are looking forward to see how Vincci [Leung Win-yi] from Tai Po Dragons handles the environment,” said Hull.

Leung is one of several new tight five forwards in the squad, alongside Kowloon prop Yip Cho Kwan and lock Amber Tsang. Gai Wu prop Lam Ka-wi and lock Chau Man-huen, Causeway Bay lock Tsang Ching-man and hooker Charlotte Myrans from Tigers are other new faces in the tight five, as Hull looks to build strength and depth in the team’s engine room.

Sevens emerging star Stephanie Chan and Amber Tsang are both being given a chance to add a fifteens cap to their sevens version. Hull believes Chan has a lot to offer in the longer code.

“She is new to the fifteens programme, but she’s been on our radar for several years. She transferred to Gai Wu this season and really is a player that has emerged off of the back of training and playing hard at club level, before she started to shine at sevens.”

“She offers us a lot of versatility in terms of her pace and her decision-making in attack, and her footwork. We’re looking at her across a few positions as she gives us a lot of strike power and pace,” said Hull.

With two challenging but contrasting matches ahead and a squad that will need to gel quickly in the tough tour environment, Hull is realistic about the short-term expectations.

“A huge goal is just to spend as much time together as we can. A lot of our players have full-time jobs. They can’t always focus on our professional environment full-time. The tour gives us a chance to immerse everyone in a high performance environment, to come together as a team and to develop as people as well, all of which will hopefully come together on the pitch.”

“Our time together has been very focused, because it is so limited. But overall, the group has come together very well. Our training has been focused on the needs of the games, and how we think that Spain and Wales will play and what we have seen from them in previous matches.

“Spain will be fast, with a lot of sevens influence, and will want to play a counterattacking game. They love to counter. Wales are a strong team, more structured probably than Spain and they have talent all over the field, from forwards to the backs,” Hull said.

Hull believes that Hong Kong stacks up well against their opponents

“We have different focuses going into each game. A big thing we have been working on is our ability to play at a higher game speed, to withstand the intensity of test rugby. That is the biggest challenge for us, and our set piece and playing against physically stronger teams.”

“What we do well is in the intensity of our play. What this group will need to harness is that experience and exposure to international rugby from these games, what to do in different scenarios and situations, when the game is going against us or if we are winning and need to close it out.”

“We aren’t expecting or needing a miracle on tour, or to get it right all of the time, but we are expecting the squad to come together and show the potential to keep them together and grow and nurture this group of players.”

Hong Kong Squad for Autumn Tests (Spain, Wales)

Forwards: Karen So Hoi-Ting (Captain), Au Yeung Sin-Yi*, Chan Ka-Yan, Chau Man-Huen*, Lam Ka-Wai*, Lau Nga-Wun, Vincci Leung Wing-Yi*, Melody Li Nim-Yan, Charlotte Myrans*, Pun Wai-Yan, Winnie Siu Wing-Ni, Tsang Ching-Man*, Amber Tsang Wing-Chi*, Yip Cho-Kwan*.

Backs:Stephanie Chan Chor-Ki*, Cheng Lok-Tung*, Chong Ka-Yan, Jessica Eden*, Jessica Ho Wai-On, Lau Sze-Wa, Sarah Lucas*, Grace Hood*, Mak Ho-Yee, Natasha Olson-Thorne, Yuen Lok-Yee, Bena Yu Bo-Yan*.

* Potential First Caps

Additional reporting and images: HKRU

Hong Kong Should Bid, Women’s Rugby World Cup 2021

World Rugby has launched the host selection process for Women’s Rugby World Cup 2021 and Hong Kong would be the perfect venue. The Hong Kong Rugby Union pays lots of lip service to women’s rugby and talking ‘legacy’ while pouring money into the men’s team. Hosting the Women’s World Cup would be massive for the game locally and for women’ sport in Asia.

Realistically Hong Kong can never host the men’s rugby World Cup, but we are the perfect venue for the Women’s Rugby World Cup. Hong Kong has the stadiums, lots of affluent sponsors including a cash rich government with money to spend on events that build on Hong Kong’s global visibility. While the HKRU is rolling in cash from the Sevens which it claims is for investing in the game…

Accommodation will be expensive, but with three years notice a hotel could be block booked for a month or one of the many university /student dorms depending on the proposed dates.

The Women’s Rugby World Cup 2017 was the best-attended, most-viewed and most socially-engaged ever: 70 million viewers across the five match days and over 750,000 fans visited the official website www.rwcwomens.com.

Looking to build on the success and popularity of the last Women’s Rugby World Cup 2017 in Ireland – the Rugby World Cup Board have announced several format changes for the 2021 tournament which include: a revised match schedule; the addition of a quarter-final stage; longer rest periods between matches and an increase in squad size.

The 12-team format will remain in 2021. The revised match schedule will guarantee longer rest periods – four days between pool matches, and five or six days during the knock-out rounds – to benefit player welfare and aid in recovery and preparation. The addition of a quarter-final stage and the longer rest periods will see tournament expand from 23 to 35 days.

Following feedback from teams and players the World Rugby tournament review also concluded that squad size should increase by two – from 28 to 30 players.

World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont said: “The launch of the host selection process for Women’s Rugby World Cup 2021 is an exciting milestone and follows a fantastic 2017 for women’s rugby. The exceptional Women’s Rugby World Cup in Ireland was the best attended of all time, inspiring on and off the field, and underscored why the event is such an attractive hosting proposition for unions and nations.

“We want to keep building the momentum, which is why we are introducing these changes to the format for the 2021 process. By ensuring an even more competitive and exciting tournament in the future, women’s rugby can continue to play an instrumental role in driving forward the development of the game and significantly broadening rugby’s global fan base.”

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Women’s Rugby World Cup 2021 host selection process timelines

31 May 2018: Deadline for formal expressions of hosting interest from unions
1 June 2018: Bid documents distributed to interested unions
10 August 2018: Bid responses submitted by unions to World Rugby
14 November 2018: World Rugby Council selects Women’s Rugby World Cup 2021 host.

WRWC: Hong Kong 5 Japan 44

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Hong Kong lost 44-5 to Japan in their final game at the Women’s Rugby World Cup in Belfast. The Sakura putting on a clinical offensive display scoring eight tries, with the first coming after just 82 seconds.

Despite enjoying significant amounts of possession, Hong Kong struggled with its accuracy, particularly in a nervy first quarter, as unforced errors, turnovers and knock-ons blunted their attacking edge.

Meanwhile, Japan managed to turn almost all of their five first half turnovers into points, including scoring two tries in the opening 12 minutes as they leapt out to a 10-0 lead.

Strong defensive efforts by Natasha Olson-Thorne in particular, who turned Japan over three times in the first half, kept Hong Kong in touch for the remainder of the first period, but Japan managed to add a momentum-sapping try shortly before the break, 15-0 at half-time.

Hong Kong steeled its nerve and gained parity over the course of the match, but as in previous matches never really threatened to break down the well-disciplined and organised Japan defence.

Japan clinched the match early in the second half, after an unforced error at the restart gifted Japan possession. Moments later Shimizu crossed the line for her second and Japan’s fourth try as they extended their advantage to 20-0.

Hooker Karen So put Hong Kong on the board in the 52nd minute with a fine individual effort. So came off the bench to put the ball into an attacking lineout on Japan’s five-metre line. Cool under pressure, So’s throw was on target for captain Chow Mei-nam who claimed possession and drove Hong Kong to the Japan try-line.

After a succession of phases, So collected the ball at the base of the ruck and leaped over the pile to score Hong Kong’s only points.

Simple errors on attack and defence were a consistent problem for Hong Kong, who missed 19 tackles and conceded 16 turnovers. Not all of which were the result of Japanese pressure, the errors a part of but not the only reason that the squad failed to achieve it’s ambition of a first win at the World Cup.

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With their first win at a World Cup in sight, the Sakura gathered steam in the final quarter, adding four more tries and two conversions, final score 44-5.

Hong Kong’s first World Cup ended without a win, but with plenty of victories along the way according to captain Chow Mei-nam. “It was our first time in the World Cup and we wanted to create a legacy. We did that with our toughness and never give-up attitude.”

“We are very proud and happy to represent Hong Kong and the crowd was behind us all of the way. Many of our supporters traveled a very long way to come watch us, and many more people were watching at home. With their continued support we can keep playing better,” added Chow.

Additional reporting, images: HKRugby

Women’s Rugby World Cup Final: England v New Zealand Preview

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The two most successful teams in Women’s Rugby World Cup history will lock horns for the fourth time in the final. bc previews what should be an epic match and the rest of the action on the final day in Belfast.

England are the defending champions, but have never beaten New Zealand on the World Cup stage, losing one semi-final and three finals between 1998 and 2010.

The Red Roses did win the most recent meeting between the sides, scoring five tries in a 29-21 win over New Zealand in the International Women’s Rugby Series in June.

However, the Black Ferns have never lost a World Cup final and are eager to keep that sequence going by avenging that loss on home soil two months ago with victory at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast.

The final day of action gets underway at 12:00 local time (GMT+1) with the 11th place play-off between Japan and Hong Kong at Queen’s University, followed by the ninth place play-off between Spain and Italy and the battle for fifth between Australia and Canada. Ireland and Wales will kick-off proceedings at Kingspan Stadium at 14:00, before France meet USA in the bronze final.

Attention will then turn to the final with the winner to not only hold aloft the coveted trophy, but also occupy the number one spot in the World Rugby Women’s Rankings when they update on Monday.

Final: England v New Zealand

The wait is nearly over for the latest chapter in the World Cup story of England v New Zealand and the kick-off can’t come soon enough for fans around the world that have seen the two teams progress to a fourth title decider.

It is England’s fifth successive appearance in the final, while New Zealand have been on a mission to banish the disappointment of failing to reach the semi-finals three years ago and lifting the trophy is the only thing that will do that for the players involved in France.

For New Zealand captain Fiao’o Faamausili it would be a remarkable end to a career that has already seen her win three World Cups. But such is her humility the hooker is not focusing on that personal target but rather the chance to give her younger team-mates that victorious feeling and ensure she leaves a legacy that will continue for years to come.

The Black Ferns have certainly lit up Ireland 2017 with their attacking play and boast the leading try scorer in Portia Woodman, who has crossed for 13 tries so far, including four in the semi-fiinal win over USA. Woodman, though, isn’t the only threat in a team that has scored 42 tries and racked up 258 points in four matches and England captain Sarah Hunter is only too aware of what lies ahead.

“They have got a strong pack that will want to give their backs some good front-foot ball to play off and I think that is really key, if they can get some good clean quality ball then we have seen their backs and how their backs have lit up the tournament,” admitted Hunter, who played in England’s WRWC 2010 loss to New Zealand and the success against Canada in 2014.

“Their half-backs are really smart and make really good decisions and their back three, if you give them time and space with the ball they will exploit it and they will be under the sticks before you know it. We know we are going to have to be really clear and clinical with everything that we do to not give them any loose ball to play with.

“To be the best you have got to play the best whoever that may be and the fact that New Zealand are in the World Cup final that means that they are (the best).”

England have suffered a blow with full-back Danielle Waterman ruled out of what would have been her fourth final due to concussion suffered against France in the semi-finals. As a result, Emily Scarratt drops back to full-back with Megan Jones stepping in to the vacated outside centre position.

New Zealand, by contrast have named an unchanged starting line-up for the third match in a row, one that has seen off the challenges of Canada (48-5) and USA (45-12).

“It is definitely going to be a tough challenge, it is finals rugby,” admitted Faamausili. “You have got two top teams battling against each other. It is not like we haven’t played each other before but we will definitely be two teams going out there to make sure that one team is winning the World Cup.”

“This is something we have been working hard towards and it has finally come and we can’t wait to get out there on Saturday. It is definitely there, that motivation (to avenge the June defeat) but to play any team in the World Cup final you are always going to be motivated because you want your team to be the one that comes out on top and it is not just for yourselves, it is for everyone back home and for all those new players that have never experienced a final before.”

A sentiment echoed by New Zealand coach Glenn Moore: “A World Cup final is what we’ve all had our sights on for a long time. Everything we’ve done in the past two years has led to this,” insisted Moore. “We feel comfortable that we’ve done the work and we’ve selected a very good side. We also have a strong bench who will make an impact.”

“You’re going to see the two best teams in the world really go at it. I’m excited to see our team play and I am so proud of them.”

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Bronze Final: France v USA

It’s the match that France and USA didn’t want to be involved in on the final day, but after their title dreams were ended by England and New Zealand respectively, both have to pick themselves up to challenge for the bronze medal at Ireland 2017.

France have found themselves in this predicament on seven occasions so are no strangers to the bronze final, while USA are first-timers after tasting victory in their first three semi-finals from 1991-98.

Both coaches have taken the opportunity to make a number of changes to their starting line-ups with Samuel Cherouk welcoming back outstanding flanker Romane Menager after she sat out the semi-final loss to England with concussion. She will start against the Women’s Eagles, though, at number eight with Safi N’Diaye dropping to the bench.

The only other change to Les Bleues’ pack is the return of Lise Arricastre at loose-head prop, while the backline shows four changes with Jade Le Pesq stepping in to partner Caroline Drouin at half-back, Carla Neisen joining Elodie Poublan in the centres and Camille Grassineau and Caroline Boujard named on the wings.

“If we are good in attack, if we are able to keep the ball, I think there will be areas where we can play and upset them,” said France manager Annick Hayraud. “They are powerful, very fast. We need to go and get them, not let them come and get us. They are not in this match by chance. It will be a great challenge for them to play for the bronze final.”

Captain Gaëlle Mignot added: “They’ve qualified for the semi-finals and played strongly against New Zealand. We expect a tough match because they also want to finish the tournament on a winning note and it has been a long time since USA were in the last four. It’s going to be one of our biggest matches.”

Kayla Canett will make her first start of the tournament for USA at fly-half, replacing the experienced Kimber Rozier who is unavailable for the final game, in an otherwise unchanged backline. The other two changes made by coach Pete Steinberg from their first semi-final since 1998 come in the forwards with prop Hope Rogers and back-row Abby Gustaitis given a starting role, the latter’s inclusion resulting in a switch across to openside flanker for Sara Parsons.

“We’ve lost a couple of players through injury, but that gives other players a chance to step up. Kayla Canett is going to get her first play at 10, which is her natural position and we’re excited to see her there,” said Steinberg. “And it gives some of our other players who’ve been eager to compete a chance to step out and compete, so we’re excited to do that.

“We know what we need to do against France. We need to have solid set pieces, we need to hold onto the ball in contact, and we need to apply pressure on defence with some good line speed. We feel like if we can do that, we’re able to compete. Our goal has always been to play our best game in the fifth game of the World Cup, and I think we’re ready to do that.”

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Fifth Place Play-off: Australia v Canada

The pressure is off Australia and Canada with their qualification for WRWC 2021 confirmed by their semi-final wins over Ireland and Canada, but both will want to finish the tournament on a high with fifth place.

Canada comfortably beat Australia (45-5) when the sides met in the International Women’s Rugby Series back in June, but they will be taking nothing for granted against an Australian side which impressively brushed hosts Ireland aside 36-24 to confirm a top six finish.

Coach Francois Ratier welcomes back prop Daleaka Menin, winger Magali Harvey and Alex Tessier to the starting line-up, the latter this time getting the nod at fly-half with Emily Belchos shifting out a position to form a new centre partnership with Amanda Thornborough. The other positional change sees Elissa Alarie, who scored two tries in the 52-0 defeat of Wales, switches across to the left wing to accommodate the return of Harvey.

“We were happy with the performance against Wales, getting back to a performance where we can score a lot of points and where our defence and set pieces can be solid. We’re in a pretty good spot and hopefully we’re going to end on a high,” said assistant coach Shaun Allen.

“Just from (Australia’s) performance at the World Cup, we’ve seen massive improvements in what they have been able to do since the New Zealand series. They’re very physical and very direct in terms of what they do on the attack. It’s going to be a good test for our defence and our ability to tackle them. They have some weapons around the field and we’re going to have to do a good job of identifying them and shutting them down.”

Australia coach Paul Verrell has, unsurprisingly, named an unchanged starting line-up from that which powered past Ireland to avenge their first-day loss in Dublin. The return of the experienced Ashleigh Hewson at fly-half after her recovery from injury suffered against the Irish was key to the improved performance, working in tandem with captain Sharni Williams to unleash a dangerous backline.

Another aspect of the Wallaroos success against Ireland was the carrying of their props Liz Patu and Hilisha Samoa, who scored a try and was named Aon Player of the Match. Between the two of them, they accounted for more than a quarter of Australia’s carries in the five-try win that ensured an improvement on their seventh place finish in 2014.

“The team’s very positive, they all have a goal they want to achieve,” insisted assistant coach Scott Allen. “It’s not a matter of (thinking) we’ve already achieved something by qualifying for the World Cup and now we can afford to relax. The girls are working towards a target.”

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Seventh Place Play-off: Ireland v Wales

The last direct qualification place for Women’s Rugby World Cup 2021 awaits the winner of this seventh place play-off between hosts Ireland and Wales.

Ireland edged their most recent encounter 12-7 in the Women’s Six Nations in March and both will be eager to end the tournament on a positive note and avoid having to go through the global qualification process for 2021.

“It’s no secret that we didn’t want to be in this position, but it’s where we have found ourselves on the final weekend, and while we’re disappointed that we’re not competing for higher honours, we want to sign off the competition with a win,” said Ireland coach Tom Tierney.

“It really is a cup final tomorrow, with automatic qualification for the 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup on the line. It’s been a tough few weeks, but I know that the players really want to put in a performance tomorrow and as they have said, leave the green jersey in a better place.”

Tierney has rung the changes for this final match, two enforced with captain Claire Molloy and centre Jenny Murphy unavailable through concussion. Paula Fitzpatrick takes over the captaincy and also switches from number eight to blindside flanker in a rejigged back-row that sees Heather O’Brien return for her first start since the opening day.

The majority of changes come in a backline with Jeamie Deacon and Katie Fitzhenry forming a new-look centre pairing and Eimear Considine returning to the wing, while Nora Stapleton continues at fly-half for what will be her 50th test for Ireland.

Wales coach Rowland Phillips has made six changes from the side beaten 52-0 by Canada on Tuesday, two of them positional with Elinor Snowsill dropping back from fly-half to full-back to allow Robyn Wilkins to make her first tournament start at 10, while Elen Evans switches wings with Jasmine Joyce coming back into the starting 15.

Keira Bevan gets the nod to start at scrum-half, while Siwan Lillicrap comes. With an eye on the future, Phillips has selected three teenagers on the bench, including centre India Berbillion who is in line to make her international debut after being called up on the eve of the tournament for the injured Rebecca De Filippo.

“There’s huge motivation among this team to finish the tournament on a high,” said Phillips. “We’ve seen a lot of development among the squad, which is gratifying as we look ahead to next year’s Women’s Six Nations and the next Women’s Rugby World Cup.

“We can take inspiration from our first two performances in the pool stage where we troubled two of the best sides in the world in New Zealand and Canada. Equally, we’ll learn important lessons from our second meeting with Canada where a lot of things didn’t go right for us.”

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Ninth Place Play-off: Italy v Spain

The second all-European match on the final day, this is the second time that Spain and Italy have met at Ireland 2017 with Las Leonas running out 22-8 winners in their Pool B encounter on 17 August.

Spain, the higher of the two nations in the World Rugby Women’s Rankings in eighth, will be eager to repeat that result against the country that replaced them in the Six Nations in 2007 so that the women’s competition mirrored the men’s.

“We did not only need victory (against Italy in the pool stages), but also we needed to play our rugby,” admitted Patricia Garcia, who switches from fly-half to outside centre for the encounter at Queen’s University. “Against England and USA we were not able to play, so we needed to have a great match against Italy even if the result was not fantastic. It was good for the confidence of the team and to be able to set up everything we have been working on.

“We beat them in pool stage, but it doesn’t mean we will win again, because they have played very well against Japan. We won against Hong Kong, but we did not play our best rugby. It’s going to be a very different match.”

Spain’s starting 15 is similar to that from the pool match with Italy, Marina Bravo moving to fly-half with Maria Ahis filling the vacated 12 jersey with Amaia Erbina coming onto the right wing. This shows a number of changes from the side which overcame Hong Kong 31-7 on Tuesday, among them the return of captain Aroa Gonzalez who started on the bench that day.

Italy coach Andrea Di Giandomenico has made six changes to his starting line-up, three of them positional, from their 22-0 defeat of Japan earlier this week. Flavia Severin is joined by Valeria Fedrighi in the second-row after Alice Trevisan was ruled out with concussion, while Elisa Giordano moves to openside flanker to accommodate the return of veteran Silvia Gaudino at number eight.

In the backline, Beatrice Rigoni moves from inside-centre back to the fly-half position she occupied in the loss to Spain with Paola Zangirolami filling the void in what will be her last time in the Azzurre jersey.

“We will not treat the match as a rematch,” insisted Di Giandomenico. “It will be crucial to focus only on ourselves. We know what are our potential is and playing at 100 per cent we can put anyone in trouble. Victory against Japan has given us confidence and we want to close the World Cup in the best way possible.”

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Eleventh Place Play-off: Hong Kong v Japan

These two nations know each other very well, Japan having emphatically won their two most recent encounters in the Asia Rugby Women’s Championship in July.

Japan will end a 15-year wait for their second World Cup victory if they can make it three wins this year against the side they also beat 20-8 in the Asia/Oceania qualifying tournament last December.

For Hong Kong, the carrot is even bigger in a first ever World Cup win and coach Jo Hull is eager for her squad to show how far her squad has progressed since losing 58-0 and 60-19 in that Asian competition.

“We are going into this game like it is our World Cup final,” said Hull, who has made a number of changes to her starting 15 for this battle for Asian pride.

“This World Cup we have had an opportunity to measure ourselves against the best in the world and now we have an opportunity to measure ourselves once again against one of the best teams in Asia. Playing Japan gives us a real chance to measure how much we have improved and whether we can come out of the World Cup as the top team in Asia. And that’s a real test of our character, so in that respect it’s great to play against them.

“We massively underperformed against Japan the last time out and now we have a chance to set that straight and the girls are very excited about that opportunity. Japan won’t be underestimating us. They know that we have improved massively over the World Cup and they have as well. Japan has had some really impressive performances against Ireland, Australia and France. They have shown what we have known for a long while; they’re young, talented and play at pace.”

Prop Lau Nga Wun, hooker Royce Chan and number eight Christine Gordon come into the forward pack, while teenager Kelsie Bouttle joins Natasha Olson-Thorne in the centre, necessitating a move back to full-back for Adrienne Garvey, the first Hong Kong player to score any points on the WRWC stage. The only other change see Kwong Sau Yan take her place on the right wing.

For Japan, captain Seina Saito moves from hooker to loose-head prop and is one of four Sakura 15 players to have played every minute of their WRWC 2017 campaign, the others being second-row Ayano Sakurai, flanker Sayaka Suzuki and centre Iroha Nagata. The three other changes see Misaki Suzuki start at hooker with Aoi Mimura coming into the second row and Makiko Tomita returning to action having served her three-match suspension following her red card in the opening loss to France.

Photos: World Rugby, Dan Sheridan, Bryan Keane, Billy Stickland

WRWC: Hong Kong v Japan Match Preview

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Hong Kong look to end their debut at the Women’s Rugby World Cup on a high note with victory against familiar foes Japan, kick-off 7pm Hong Kong time.

The team as a unit and individually all 28 players in Hull’s squad have improved match by match. “We are going into this game like it is our World Cup final,” said Hull from Ireland. “This World Cup we have had an opportunity to measure ourselves against the best in the world and now we have an opportunity to measure ourselves once again against one of the best teams in Asia.”

“Playing Japan gives us a real chance to measure how much we have improved and whether we can come out of the World Cup as the top team in Asia. And that’s a real test of our character, so in that respect it’s great to play against them,” Hull added.

Japan beat Hong Kong heavily across both legs of the Women’s Asia Rugby Championship in July in what was both sides’ final warm-ups for the World Cup. That presents an ideal opportunity for Hull and the squad to benchmark their growth over the past three weeks.

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Hull is asking her squad to give one last massive effort in their fifth game in three weeks at the World Cup. “After Spain, we have made some changes to get some fresh legs back into the squad, including bringing Royce [Chan] and Chrissy [Christine Gordon] in to give us some go-forward.”

“We need an even bigger performance out of the girls at the breakdown than against Spain and we have to be clinical, particularly in eliminating our own errors and improving our tackling,” said Hull.

Hull believes her side is now battle-hardened and that their experience in Ireland has drawn them even closer together. “The girls have been great. It has been a big three weeks for us. They are calm and focused but I can sense a bit more excitement about this game and maybe a bit of emotion as well as it is our last match and the experience here has really been incredible.”

“They want to play, but most of all they want to get that first win together and for each other. They realize there is no second chance now, there is no next game and that is fueling them,” Hull added.

As coach she has been working to hone and channel that energy. “We are not losing our focus. Everything is about consistency. We need to be consistent and clinical. If we make a mistake, Japan will be underneath the posts, so we have got to execute to get the result that they have been working so hard for,” Hull added.

Up front Hull has made three changes with hooker Royce Chan, Hong Kong’s most capped women’s international entering the World Cup, joined by Lau Nga-wun and the ever-reliable Lee Ka-shun in the starting front row. Hull has also retained the lock pairing of Captain Chow Mei-nam and Chan Ka-yan and flankers Christy Cheng Ka-chi and Chan Tsz-chang with Gordon the only change to the back row.

Hull has also kept faith in her starting halfback duo from the Spain test, with scrumhalf Chloe Mak Ho-yee and Rose Hopewell-Fong looking to inject pace into the attack. Emerging star Kelsie Bouttle will join Natasha Olson-Thorne in a hard tackling centre pairing, while Chong Ka-yan continues to own the no 11 sweater on the left wing. The versatile Adrienne Garvey returns to fullback after starting at centre against Spain, with Ivy Kwong Sau-yan getting the start on the right wing.

Winnie Siu, Karen So and Pun Wai-yan will provide the front row depth once again, with Seure rounding out the forwards reserves. Young halfbacks Jessica Ho Wai-on and Lee Tsz-ting will cover nine and ten while Colleen Tjosvold will support the back three.

Images: World Rugby, HK Rugby,
Additional reporting: HKrugby