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.