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Paul McNamara

Head coach Joe Barker says he wants Hong Kong’s players to “strive for excellence” when they leave their “comfort zone” during the forthcoming World Rugby U20 Trophy.
Hong Kong, who begin their campaign against Japan on Tuesday, have won only two of 28 matches across seven previous appearances in the tournament.
They will aim to improve that record in a pool also featuring hosts Scotland and Samoa.
Barker can count on a sprinkling of Hong Kong-qualified talent, cannily spotted overseas, for a competition his side when they won an eighth straight Asia Rugby U19 title last December.
“We are going to a huge tournament which is recognised worldwide, and exposing boys from Hong Kong to top nations,” Barker said.
“They won’t have experienced an environment like this, with much more happening on match days, and the intensity of Test-match rugby.
“The games will be physical and quick, and the challenge for players is to perform at their best in that pressure cooker.

“It is so valuable for their development, as people as well as players. We will see how they conduct themselves [off the field], and if they are able to move from their comfort zones and still perform.
“We want them to strive for excellence and try to be better every day.”
Barker’s 28-strong squad includes two England-based players and another two living in Canada.
Isaac Campbell-Wu, who plays for English Premiership club Bristol Bears, is a former England U18 international. He was identified by Hong Kong coaches while playing for Clifton College at the Rosslyn Park National School Sevens in England.
Barnaby Horberry, who studies at the University of Nottingham, represented the North of England in 2022.
Marcus D’Acre, who is at Queen’s University in Ontario, played for Canada in the qualifiers for last year’s World Rugby U20 Trophy. His dad, Nigel, is a former Hong Kong international.
Stephen Webb, from the University of British Columbia, represented Canada at U18 level.
“We are finding players through different resources,” Barker said. “Sometimes we identify them, as in Isaac’s case. People contact us, and we have parents emailing. There is a lot of communication, and working out how we can help each other, through the [recruitment] process.
“We want to find these players early and develop them. The lads have made a huge effort to get here, and they are contributing to the environment.”

The eight-team Trophy is a second-tier tournament, with the world’s leading 12 nations competing in the ongoing World Rugby U20 Championship in South Africa.
Barker’s team face Scotland on July 7 and on July 12 play Samoa, who beat Hong Kong 30-27 in last year’s edition. Classification matches are scheduled for July 17. Every fixture will be staged at Edinburgh’s Hive Stadium.
Hong Kong have never finished higher than seventh, a feat they managed with victory over hosts Zimbabwe in 2016. They last won a Trophy match six years ago – a 56-35 pool success against Romania.
“We should have beaten Samoa last year, but we are not putting a huge emphasis on needing to win,” Barker said.
“The end goal is for players to transition into the senior team. They are still developing personalities, and their physical and mental understanding.
“We will help them with that, so they are better humans coming away from the tour.
“When things don’t work out, it is a life lesson. Sometimes, you put so much effort into something, but it doesn’t go your way. You have to be resilient. We will help players with tough moments, and they will be stronger people for them.
“There will be skill, technical and tactical errors – those happen to the best players in the world.
“But attitude and effort are non-negotiable; they have to keep going, and put everything into it.”


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Hong Kong China Rugby

World Rugby U20 Trophy: Hong Kong urged to thrive in ‘pressure cooker’ conditions

Isaac Campbell-Wu is among the overseas-based players in Hong Kong’s squad for the World Rugby U20 Trophy. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Camill Cheung (centre) has senior experience and will be a key player for Hong Kong in Scotland. Photo: Handout

Only three points separated Hong Kong and Samoa at last year’s World U20 Trophy. Photo: World Rugby

Asia Rugby Championship: Hong Kong retain crown with ‘statement’ performance

Triumphant Hong Kong celebrate clinching a fifth straight Asia Rugby Championship title. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Young fans flooded the field to join Hong Kong’s players in their trophy celebrations. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Asia Rugby Championship: Hong Kong hope high-risk game against Korea will win over locals

Hong Kong are hoping to play expansively against South Korea as they target a fifth straight ARC title ahead of next month’s three-match tour to South America. Photo: HKRU

Hong Kong coach Andrew Douglas says the team have tweaked their game plan to surprise the Koreans. Photo: HKRU

Hong Kong captain Josh Hrstich (right) and South Korea counterpart Lee Jin-kyu ahead of Saturday’s clash. Photo: HKRU

Hong Kong women keep World Cup dream alive, prove too powerful for Kazakhstan in Asia Rugby Championship finale

Hong Kong’s Georgia Rivers (left) is tackled by Kazhakstan’s Mariya Grishina in their Asia Rugby Championship clash.  Photo: Jonathan Wong

Hong Kong’s Chong Ka-yan is tackled by Kazakhstan’s Amina Tulegenpva (left) with teammate Anna Melnikova closing in. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Kazakhstan pair Anna Melnikova (left) and captain Natalya Kamendrovskaya (right) try to stop Hong Kong’s Natasha Olson-Thorne. Photo: Jonathan Wong

World Rugby must ‘step up’ support for lowly nations, says Perelini, who expects UAE to prove quality against Hong Kong

Apollo Perelini wants more funding for lower-tier nations expected to compete at World Cups. Photo: Dickson Lee

UAE are preparing for their Asia Rugby Championship debut, against Hong Kong, on Saturday. Photo: Dickson Lee

Matt Mills (white cap) is relishing a ‘dream’ opportunity to face Hong Kong. Photo: Dickson Lee

Sport

Rugby

Fifteens

Hong Kong Rugby Union

International Rugby

City’s team have not won a Trophy match in six years, but will seek to develop talent in a squad featuring several overseas players


City’s team have not won a Trophy match in six years, but will seek to develop talent in a squad featuring several overseas players.


Romania

Samoa