MATCH REPORT – KOREA 22-70 HONG KONG CHINA

Gozar Images
Jul 5
4 min read

[2025.07.05] Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Championship 2025 – All Results

Friday 13 June: Sri Lanka 34-38 Korea (Colombo, Sri Lanka)
Saturday 14 June: United Arab Emirates 10-43 Hong Kong China (Dubai, UAE)
Saturday 21 June: Korea 36-38 UAE (Incheon, Korea)
Sunday 22 June: Hong Kong China 78-7 Sri Lanka (Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground, Hong Kong)
Friday 4 July: Sri Lanka 21-29 UAE (Colombo, Sri Lanka)
Saturday 5 July: Korea 22-70 Hong Kong China (Incheon, Korea)

Final Standings

Hong Kong China - 15 points
UAE – 10 points
Korea – 7 points
Sri Lanka – 2 points

History was made on Saturday 5 July at the Namdong Asiad Rugby Stadium as Hong Kong China secured their first-ever qualification for a Men’s Rugby World Cup, after beating Korea in sweltering mid-afternoon conditions in Incheon.

Following Sri Lanka’s defeat to the UAE on Friday, the tournament newcomers came bottom and will need to compete in an Asia Rugby Emirates Playoff Match to remain in the Championship in 2026 (with the opposition and further details TBC).

The bonus point win for the UAE saw them climb to 10 points, which, combined with Korea’s defeat on Saturday, gives them a chance to reach RWC 2027 via a repechage route – an Asia/Africa Play-Off against the second-best team in the Rugby Africa Men’s Cup 2025 (date TBD) and, if successful, a Final Qualification Tournament in Dubai in November.

Match Report – First Half

No matter what form the first points would come in, Hong Kong China surpassed 1,000 points against their closest opponents in Asia over recent years, and it was try-machine Matt Worley who scored them via a great try to open the account for the visitors, which was converted by Nate De Thierry. It was the first of six tries the side ran in during the first half, with the flyhalf kicking sweetly and converting them all.

Hong Kong China has already scored 18 tries in this championship before this game, with the dominant forwards claiming 9 and the 8 by the backs, with one penalty try, while Korea has scored 10 in their win over Sri Lanka and loss to the UAE at the same venue in the second round.

In the Championship, Hong Kong China had scored 121 points and only conceded two tries across the opening two rounds.

Korea slotted their own points in the half in the 9th minute through a penalty, but it was a dominant showing from Asia Rugby’s defending champions as they steamrolled the Koreans with the pack, winning multiple set-piece penalties. They also stole plenty of Korean lineout ball, with Patrick Jenkinson immense in poaching.

Korea conceded a yellow card in the first half after a warning from the referee. There were further tries from Alex Post from a lineout maul (twice), captain Josh Hrstich, Paul Altier and James Sawyer for a 42-4 lead at the break.

An injury to Callum McCullough saw Pierce Mackinlay West come on in the opening half, and there was an unfortunate red card to Ben Axten-Burrett for head-to-head contact in the 37th minute (World Rugby's recently introduced rule for a red card means that a new player is able to come on 20 minutes after the infringement).

Match Report – Second Half

Harry Sayers ran the first points in the 45th minute under the posts to extend the lead 49-3 as our men kept up the pressure and momentum despite being a player down.

There was a disallowed try from Tommy Hill, and substitutions were made before Josh Hrstich scored his second as the side tried to chase down last year's record win over Korea with a 67-7 scoreline.

However, as the game opened up, all credit to the hosts as they scored twice thanks to their lively left wing and one more to their replacement hooker.

By the time the side returned to the full complement of 15 following the 20-minute red card, Max Denmark notched up an excellent solo effort to make and another late yellow card to Korea, allowed Luke Van Der Smith to have the final say on the scoreboard with the tenth try- all converted for a 70-22 win.

Job done - Qualified for Rugby World Cup 2027 and secured the Asia Rugby Men’s Championship for the 6th year running - scoring close to 200 points and only conceding 5 tries.

Hrsich said, “Thanks to everyone who supported us in the past, and present, and we will need that support for the upcoming years”.

Douglas added, “We are so excited, but we will enjoy tonight and give the guys a break and regroup in August. We have started to try and prep for the next two years, and we will need World Rugby to come to the party and help a small union like ours.”

Hong Kong China could not equal their own high in the World Rugby rankings of 21st this weekend, even if they won.

Try Scorers and Times (10)

Matt Worley 3rd minute

Alex Post 13th minute

Josh Hrstich 21st minute

Paul Altier 24th minute

Alex Post 29th minute

James Sawyer 41st minute

Harry Sayers 45th minute

Josh Hrstich 54th minute

Max Denmark 61st minute

Luke van Der Smit 78th minute