‘Perfect’ Hong Kong juniors hammer Korea to reach 2015 World U20s Trophy
Hong Kong’s national junior side ran in eight tries in a 58-7 romp over South Korea on Saturday to qualify in their own right for the 2015 World Rugby Under 20 Trophy.
Hong Kong’s national junior side ran in eight tries in a 58-7 romp over South Korea on Saturday to qualify in their own right for the 2015 World Rugby Under 20 Trophy.
Five months on from making their debut in what was then known as the IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy – and when Hong Kong took part as hosts of the 2014 edition – the juniors won three matches out of three at the week-long ARFU Asian qualifying tournament in Colombo.
Their reward for the impressive feat will be to line up as Asia’s representatives in the IRB’s next second-tier U20s tournament, which takes place in Portugal in April. Other teams confirmed so far include Namibia, Tonga, Fiji and the hosts.
After easing past Taiwan (44-5) and Sri Lanka (32-7) earlier in the week, Hong Kong gave the Koreans no room to manoeuvre as they jumped out to a 24-0 lead before half time and then added 34 more in the second period when Korea saw three of their players sent to the sin-bin.
Fullback and captain Hugo Stiles set the pace for Hong Kong, scoring 18 points from two penalties and six conversions.
Winger Danial Davidson, centre Jordan Cooper and lock Calvin Hunter each scored a brace of tries, while replacement back Kevin Field added a seventh and flanker Raef Morrison touched down Hong Kong’s eighth in the 66th minute.
