Russia can take Hong Kong to the next level, says Dai Rees
Russia have appeared at the Hong Kong Sevens on many occasions, but for the first time the Bears’ fifteens team will come to play two international tests against Hong Kong next month – November 8 and 15.
Russia have appeared at the Hong Kong Sevens on many occasions, but for the first time the Bears’ fifteens team will come to play two international tests against Hong Kong next month – November 8 and 15.
"We played Belgium last December in two tests and were lucky enough to push our world rankings up by beating them at home," said Dai Rees, head of technical development and performance at the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union.
The main reason behind [the Russia invitation] is to play opposition from outside of Asia, to play another team rather than Korea and the others at the Asian Games
"Hopefully, we can repeat the same feat against Russia. But the main reason behind it is to play opposition from outside of Asia, to play another team rather than Korea and the others at the Asian Games, so as to make sure we push ourselves to the next level," Rees said.
Russia, ranked 19th in the world, failed in their bid to qualify for the 2015 Rugby World Cup, losing out to Uruguay who clinched the final berth last weekend on the aggregate result of the home-and-away final round of the qualifying play-offs.
"We have been working with the IRB on the northern series, which occurs in the November test window, and we've been looking at going overseas or bringing a team ranked about the same as us in world rugby," Rees said.
Hong Kong national fifteens coach Andy Hall added: "Russia will be a step up from Belgium last year and our experience against Uruguay will hopefully stand us in good stead."