Rugby World Cup: Portugal’s speed too hot for Hong Kong to handle at final qualifying tournament in Dubai
- Portuguese run in six tries in 42-14 win over Hong Kong at The Sevens Stadium
- Exciting wing Raffaele Storti scores twice as pace and variation prove too good
Hong Kong’s hopes of qualifying for the Rugby World Cup for the first time were dealt a significant blow by Portugal on Sunday in their opening game of the final qualifying tournament in Dubai.
A speedy Portuguese backline proved too good for Lewis Evans’ side, and eventually ran out comfortable 42-14 winners at The Sevens Stadium.
Wing Raffaele Storti scored two of his teams six tries, while the impressive Samuel Marques added 12 points with the boot for Patrice Lagisquet, who are expected to challenge the United States for the last remaining spot at next year’s tournament in Paris.
Hong Kong, meanwhile, will bemoan a couple of missed opportunities to make the game closer, although in truth the threat posed by the likes of Storti and skipper Tomas Appleton at inside centre was always likely to be too much.
“Our backline is strong, it has improved a lot since we came together three years ago,” Storti said. “But our forwards are good as well. They give the structure for the backs to play.”
For all that, it was Hong Kong who took the lead, with hooker Alexander Post benefiting from a rolling maul that sent Portugal defenders spitting out in all directions.
