The Hong Kong U19’s secured their path to the World Rugby Junior Trophy 2017 today in Kuala Lumpur by putting the hosts, Malaysia, to the sword with another clinical display in wet conditions in their final match of the Championship, 67 – 10.
The win allows Hong Kong to join fellow Asian superpower, Japan, in next year’s World Rugby Junior Trophy tournament in Uruguay in late August 2017, where both sides will be pushing for promotion to the Junior World Championship.
Hong Kong started with a flourish with a try to Gregor Ramage inside the first 2 minutes of the half to set the tone and never released the pressure despite the worsening conditions. Further tries to Kitney, Gibb, Smith and a brace each to Pusack, Karton and Ramage saw Hong Kong ease away with the victory.
Earlier in the tournament, Hong Kong easily dispatched of Chinese Taipei, 54 – 8 in their first match and followed that up by sweeping aside Sri Lanka, who came into this match with high expectations, 61 – 0, The young tuskers had no response for a Hong Kong side that played with continuity and cohesion, dominating all aspects of the match.
In the first match on the final match day, Chinese Taipei headed off a spirited effort from Sri Lanka with a try to Pao-Sheng Tang in the final seconds of the match to claim their first victory of the Championship, winning 31 – 25.
Chinese Taipei finished 2nd, Sri Lanka 3rd place and hosts, Malaysia 4th, in what was a very tight affair for second place with all 3 teams securing a solitary win.
