Hong Kong beat Chinese Taipei 38-5 to claim the Asia Rugby U19 Championship on Tuesday.
In the final match of the four-team round-robin competition, Hong Kong scored six tries to the hosts one and claimed a bonus point victory.
Toby Jurecka scored two tries while Paul Altier scored 13 points in a win that secured their victory in the competition and in doing so ensured they qualified for next year’s World Rugby U20 Trophy in Brazil.
Having lost their opening match 17-13 to Korea, Hong Kong bounced back with two bonus point victories – a 48-15 win over Sri Lanka before the final match of the competition.
With Korea and Chinese Taipei also winning two matches it was the bonus points which made the difference for Hong Kong.
Korea finished second overall after narrowly beating Sri Lanka 29-26 with the Tuskers suffering a third defeat in three in the competition.
Asia Rugby President Aga Hussain was quick to praise the competitive nature of the tournament.
“All four teams played an integral role in this year’s Asia Rugby U19 Championship,” said Hussain.
“Congratulations to Hong Kong who will now represent Asia in the World Rugby Trophy in 2019, alongside Japan, but also to the other three teams who all demonstrated the growth and development of rugby in our region.”
Asia Rugby U19 Championship
Taipei Municipal Stadium , Chinese Taipei
12th-18th Dec
Hong Kong | Korea | Chinese Taipei |Sri Lanka
Watch the Match
www.youtube.com/c/AsiaRugbyLive
The 2019 edition of the World Rugby U20 Trophy will be the twelfth annual international rugby competition for the U20 sides and will be held at Estadio Martins Pereira in Sao Jose dos Campos from 9-21 July.
