With just two matches left of this year’s Asia Rugby Championship Top 3, the race for Rugby World Cup qualification is set to step up a gear.
Malaysia come into the match having suffered three defeats and therefore can’t win the Championship and progress to the next stage of qualification – a play-off against the Cook Islands.
However, they can still play a part in whether Hong Kong or Korea win this year’s title. Korea currently sit on top of the standings, albeit having played one match more than Hong Kong.
For this weekend’s hosts they will know that two more victories will see them win the title.
Fans around the world will be able to watch Hong Kong’s match with Malaysia this weekend live on Asia Rugby’s Facebook page.
The last time the sides met Hong Kong impressed and recorded a 67-8 win, so will be the favourites to head into the final weekend on top of the standings.
Although head coach Leigh Jones is looking no further than the match this weekend, he is aware of what it would mean for Hong Kong to qualify for the first-ever Rugby World Cup in Asia.
“In view of the fact the Rugby World Cup 2019 is in Japan, it would be great to have two representatives from Asia,” said Jones.
“It will help grow interest in the game which will have a positive impact on participation throughout the Asia region.”
You can watch the game being played at the Hong Kong Football Club live on Asia Rugby’s Facebook channel, with the match kicking off at 16:00 local time.
You can stream the match here: http://bit.ly/ARC-Live
As well as the live stream, preview interviews with both teams and footage from the captain’s runs will be made available ahead of the match, with highlights posted shortly after.
