Hong Kong aiming to gain footing on international rugby scene, ‘exciting prospect’ McNutt can spearhead new era
- Hong Kong host Germany in two fixtures this week, with men’s head coach harbouring World Cup ambitions at outset of new four-year cycle
- Flanker Tyler McNutt poised for debut, boasts quality to be at heart of side aiming to reach 2027 Australia showpiece
Head coach Andrew Douglas said two matches against Germany this week represented the first step towards “re-establishing Hong Kong in international rugby”.
The New Zealander was made head of technical rugby in August, a role that includes guiding the men’s team into a new era for the global game.
An expanded 24-team World Cup in 2027 has inevitably raised optimism over Hong Kong qualifying for the first time, while World Rugby has moved towards implementing a global calendar by 2026 that could help Tier 2 sides develop.
Douglas, who has formerly coached in his homeland, in addition to posts in Italy, Japan and USA, said the opportunity to play more opponents from outside Asia would only benefit his side.
“We have to develop a programme in Hong Kong that gives genuine opportunities to players and has aspirational ideas,” Douglas said. “We want to re-establish ourselves in international rugby.
“We have to decide how to best resource the new calendar. It is an ongoing process, but also pretty exciting for countries like us.
“It is vital to play outside our region, and gain new ideas. Germany are very different from teams like South Korea and Malaysia, in terms of size, and they are rugby hardened against quality opposition. We need to grasp, and enjoy the challenge.”
Douglas sourced optimism for the long-term health of Hong Kong from the stellar efforts of Portugal and Chile at the recent World Cup.
We play because we are competitive and want to win, but we have an eye on the future and must be performance focused
Chile, beaten by Hong Kong in 2017, lost all four pool matches, but defeated USA to qualify, and avenge a 64-0 walloping by the same opponents in 2016.
“The World Cup is something we aspire to, and having 24 teams creates new opportunities,” Douglas said. “The next 24 months are crucial. I have a pretty chunky role, HKCR is rebuilding after Covid, it is great time to come in and try to make a difference.
“A lot of people here are passionate about rugby and want the game to thrive, everyone is excited about the next chapter.”
Douglas’ sprawling remit includes “growing the technical game, improving coaching quality around the men’s and women’s Premiership teams, and supporting the under-20s’ programme”.
He has picked under-20 captain Tyler McNutt for the Germany double-header, on Tuesday and Saturday, and said the imposing blindside was “one of the players we can build our next cycle around”.
McNutt, who skippered Hong Kong at this year’s World Rugby Under-20 Trophy, will start at six in Tuesday’s behind-closed-doors fixture at So Kon Po Recreation Ground.
McNutt’s former under-20 colleague, hooker Jude Harding, will play off the bench. While Hugh McCormick-Houston, Liam Edwards and Rory Cinnamond could all earn their first caps in Saturday’s match at Aberdeen Sports Ground, where Douglas wants to “showcase 15s and get it back out to our rugby community”.
“We play because we are competitive and want to win, but we have an eye on the future and must be performance focused,” Douglas said. “Tyler has come a long way in a short period and is a player we can build the next Hong Kong cycle around. His family are flying from New Zealand for the game.
“Jude Harding is a tough kid, with a great attitude. He is buzzing and ready to go.”
