Rugby News from unexpected places

[WorkingClassRugger]

Nope - I read (I'll try and find link if interested) that HK will try and join in 2025 (December) / 2026, post 2025 ARC (if they win it), as the Japan League are already preparing to admit non Japanese sides (League 3 only).

Hong Kong need way more competitive games (if they win ARC) - going pro in the Japan League is one way to do that - basically have the National Team based in Hong Kong and fly to Japan for each game. They have Cathay Pacific as a sponsor, so that will help with costs.

Korea (as you note) are planning to join post 2027.

I've only seen mention of 2027, so I would be interested in seeing something about HK entering earlier. Which would be a smart move given their ambition and the need to play more competitive games. Money must be the issue for the Koreans as I know both Hyundai and OK Man have expressed interest in entering the Japanese structure in the past.

 

[Steve_Grey]

I've only seen mention of 2027, so I would be interested in seeing something about HK entering earlier. Which would be a smart move given their ambition and the need to play more competitive games. Money must be the issue for the Koreans as I know both Hyundai and OK Man have expressed interest in entering the Japanese structure in the past.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

Cheers. Doesn't explicitly say they will be entering a team just that the JRL are open to entrants from 2026. Though that may be their intent. Which I support and hope the Koreans manage something similar.

 

[Steve_Grey]

Cheers. Doesn't explicitly say they will be entering a team just that the JRL are open to entrants from 2026. Though that may be their intent. Which I support and hope the Koreans manage something similar.

Correct - I'll ask around when I go to Hong Kong this month - my guess it is very dependent on winning the ARC in 2025 to qualify for RWC 2027.

I heard that with potentially no U20 Trophy in 2025, that Hong Kong China Rugby (HKCR) are taking a squad to Europe to play Netherlands and maybe other T2 U20 Nations.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

Correct - I'll ask around when I go to Hong Kong this month - my guess it is very dependent on winning the ARC in 2025 to qualify for RWC 2027.

I heard that with potentially no U20 Trophy in 2025, that Hong Kong China Rugby (HKCR) are taking a squad to Europe to play Netherlands and maybe other T2 U20 Nations.

Unless Korea can pull off a miracle and get a squad full of Japan based eligible players like they are trying to do I cannot see anyone stopping HK from qualifying. So they should be looking at the logistics of entering Japan's 3rd div. Which I'd expect them to win fairly comfortably. But at least for the led in to 2027 it would be more about getting as much game time as possible as a centralised squad that would matter most. So it would suit their purposes.

The Trophy is gone for 2025. That seems to be everything coming out of all sources at present. So it's good to read HK are looking to play some of their peers on tour.

 

[Steve_Grey]

Unless Korea can pull off a miracle and get a squad full of Japan based eligible players like they are trying to do I cannot see anyone stopping HK from qualifying. So they should be looking at the logistics of entering Japan's 3rd div. Which I'd expect them to win fairly comfortably. But at least for the led in to 2027 it would be more about getting as much game time as possible as a centralised squad that would matter most. So it would suit their purposes.

The Trophy is gone for 2025. That seems to be everything coming out of all sources at present. So it's good to read HK are looking to play some of their peers on tour.

Looks like HK are building towards that - they have a tour to ACT to play the Brumbie Runners lined up for April - they'll be collecting a few HK Born who play in Australia on the way.

 

[Adam84]

A decade long promise between a grandfather and grandson came to fruition as the pair laced up the boots for the same grade rugby match.
Dennis Bree (73) and his grandson Hamish (17) ran out together at Palmerston Crocs home field on Saturday against South Darwin Rabbitohs in the DRU B-grade competition.

The pair and the rest of the Crocs played their hearts out in the muggy and rainy conditions but were unable to contain the visitors, losing 27-15.

Despite the result Dennis and Hamish could not have been more thrilled with the days play.

It was a rough introduction to men’s rugby for the teenager who copped a high tackle in his first play as well as a nasty eye-gouge in the first half.

Apart from those two blips Hamish slotted right into the side, making a number of gutsy carries and clutch try-saving defensive efforts at fullback.

As for Dennis, the old warhorse played the entire game, and was in the thick of the action throughout.

At hooker he took the lineout duties despite the wet gilbert and packed in the middle of every scrum on the day.

After it was all said and done Dennis and Hamish couldn’t stop smiling; Dennis proudly parading his lack of front chompers.

“That was just unreal,” Dennis said after the game.

“We didn’t win but I don’t really mind, I’m so happy that this day finally came and I got to play with Hamish finally.

“He was pretty good too I reckon. He got hit around a bit but he looked right at home so I think that means I’ll have to play again next season.”

Hamish, like his grandad, also couldn’t get his grin off his face.

“That was so good,” he said.

“That was a fun game in the end too.

“I got hit high my first carry and a finger to the eye but other than that it wasn’t that bad.

“And obviously getting to make my senior debut with him (Dennis) is so special and something I won’t ever forget.”

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www.couriermail.com.au

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

Belgium have secured Europe 5 and a place in the Repechage tournament beating the Netherlands in Amsterdam 31-10. Honestly, didn't see this one coming. Had the Dutch as too strong. But there you go. Well done Belgium.

 

[Omar Comin']

Belgium have secured Europe 5 and a place in the Repechage tournament beating the Netherlands in Amsterdam 31-10. Honestly, didn't see this one coming. Had the Dutch as too strong. But there you go. Well done Belgium.

Wow surprising result, especially with that margin and away from home. Do you know how many pro players Belgium have? I'd guess there must be at least a few in the top 14 who'd qualify for them by ancestry who haven't played for them before too.

Last year Belgium toured South America and were beaten pretty comfortably by both Chile and Brazil. Not sure if Belgium were at full strength or not, but one and potentially both of those teams will be in the final repechage tournament too.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

Wow surprising result, especially with that margin and away from home. Do you know how many pro players Belgium have? I'd guess there must be at least a few in the top 14 who'd qualify for them by ancestry who haven't played for them before too.

Last year Belgium toured South America and were beaten pretty comfortably by both Chile and Brazil. Not sure if Belgium were at full strength or not, but one and potentially both of those teams will be in the final repechage tournament too.

They're very similar to the Dutch. They have a sizeable number of players at the pro level at the ProD2 and Nationale level. That tour last year was missing many of those pros. So not truly indicative of their best team.

 

[Adam84]

I know I’m no spring chicken, but dam seeing this makes me feel old. Scott Higginbotham playing for classic wallabies. He is 38 going on 60.

 

[Dctarget]

I know I’m no spring chicken, but dam seeing this makes me feel old. Scott Higginbotham playing for classic wallabies. He is 38 going on 60.

View attachment 21247

That's a little unfair on the opposition, I'm sure he can still lay a monster hit.

 

[master]

Thai rugby are actually looking very interesting at the moment. looking like contenders for asian cup champs. to be fair, their team is mostly expats,

 

[Highlander35]

Expats in Thailand you say...

Might have some more contenders for the Criminal XV

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

Saudi Arabia weighing up a bid for the 2035 RWC.

 

[Highlander35]

Saudi on Tob

 

[Omar Comin']

Saudi Arabia weighing up a bid for the 2035 RWC.

I read it's a potential joint bid with Qatar and UAE. I'm sure if they're willing to spend double anyone else they'll probably get it. But surely it wouldn't be possible if all 3 national teams must be automatic participants in the tournament.

 

[Wilson]

I read it's a potential joint bid with Qatar and UAE. I'm sure if they're willing to spend double anyone else they'll probably get it. But surely it wouldn't be possible if all 3 national teams must be automatic participants in the tournament.

I don't know if it's even possible if one of them has to be a participant - I guess UAE could push into a competitive space over the next decade, but there's a fair way to go from 48th, even with an expanded world cup. As I understand it, it's largely an expat team too, and any improvement is going to come from an aggressive recruitment program, which might not sit well with a lot of other nations. Qatar at 87 and Saudi Arabia unranked seem entirely impossible.

 

[Braveheart81]

The only way World Rugby should consider it is to work out what they project to make from upcoming Rugby World Cups, double it, then ask those potential host countries for double that again (at least).

The model would also need to change from the current one (where Rugby Australia is effectively guaranteed their return and most of the risk/upside lies with World Rugby).

The selling point to World Rugby members would be a distribution multiple times what they would ordinarily get across a four year cycle.

 

[Omar Comin']

I don't know if it's even possible if one of them has to be a participant - I guess UAE could push into a competitive space over the next decade, but there's a fair way to go from 48th, even with an expanded world cup. As I understand it, it's largely an expat team too, and any improvement is going to come from an aggressive recruitment program, which might not sit well with a lot of other nations. Qatar at 87 and Saudi Arabia unranked seem entirely impossible.

Wouldn't sit well, but I guess they could each recruit ~50 promising young players from poorer rugby nations by 2030 to live and play there in a professional environment so that they're all eligible by 2035. Qatar have done something similar, on a bigger scale, for their soccer team (and they've won the last 2 Asian Cups).