World Rugby U20 Trophy 2023: Hong Kong must be bold and brave, coach Logan Asplin says
- City side take on Spain in their opening game of the tournament in Kenya, before facing Samoa and the hosts in Pool B
- Hong Kong’s best finish at the event was the sixth place they managed in 2018
Hong Kong coach Logan Asplin has called on his side to be “bold and brave” ahead of their opening game against Spain in the World Rugby U20 Trophy on Saturday.
The city’s side face a tough task in Pool B, where they will also take on Samoa and hosts Kenya over the next 10 days. Scotland, Uruguay, the USA and Zimbabwe make up Pool A.
Asplin has named forward Tyler McNutt as captain of a team full of attacking intent, with under-19 captain Max Threlkeld at outside centre and fly-half Julien Bourron expected to inspire.
Making an appearance at the trophy for a sixth consecutive time, Hong Kong’s best finish was sixth in 2018, and of the 24 matches the side has played since hosting the tournament in 2014 they have lost 22.
With seven of the side that won the Asia Rugby U19 Championship included, Asplin knows Saturday’s game against Spain at the Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi will be a step up.
“In the big moments, it is time for our team to step up, and we know they are capable of achieving big things,” he said.
“We know Spain will be a level up and we’re coming in with the mindset that we want to win at all costs. We’re expecting a physical game, Spain will be really motivated, but we know we can go out and get this one.”
Hong Kong warmed up for this weekend’s game with a friendly against their counterparts in the Netherlands, and Asplin has rewarded several players for their performance in that narrow loss with places in the match-day 23.
The under-19 side is well represented, with Threlkeld joined by playmakers Camill Cheung and Blake Elliott, and forwards Marco Conti, David Bennett, Callum Fitzhenry, Fritz Mahn and Dominic Hedley.
“This is a big test for our young team and we’re really looking forward to the opportunity,” McNutt said. “Our opposition has some big boys with a lot of skill – it’s up to us to come out firing and meet that level.”
Hong Kong will face Spain at 9pm Hong Kong time on Saturday, take Samoa on Thursday, before ending their pool stage against Kenya on July 25.
Hong Kong team: 15 Dylan McCann; 14 Blake Elliot, 13, Max Threlkeld, 12 Oliver Pyle, 11 Josh Eustace; 10 Julien Bourron, 9 Camille Cheung. 1 Sam Martin, 2 Jude Harding, 3 David Bennett, 4 Callum Fitzhenry, 5 Theo Mag, 6 Tyler McNutt (capt), 7 Marco Conti, 8 Dominic Hedley. Replacements: 16 Takuma Yamauchi, 17 Glenn Hui, 18 Billy Rigby, 19 Ciaran Delaney, 20 Fritz Mahn, 21 Adam Baber, 22 Jamie Blair, 23 Joe Denmark.
