Game 1 Hong Kong China v United Arab Emirates | Asia Rugby Men’s Championship
The 35th Asia Rugby Men’s Championship will see 4 teams compete in a home-and-away format with 6 games being played from the 1st to the 22nd of June across 4 venues.
The first game of the Men’s Championship as a doubleheader to be played at the iconic Hong Kong Football Club on Saturday 1st June 2024.
In the Men’s competition Hong Kong China hosting the newly promoted United Arab Emirates, this game will be followed by the highly contested rivalry between Hong Kong China women and Kazakhstan women
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e over take your best [Music] work we’ll get it [Music] [Music] on [Music] spe [Music] [Music] good afternoon rugby fans and welcome to the Hong Kong football club for the opening game of the men’s Asia rugby championship between Hong Kong China and the UAE I’m ashon hyen it’s a pleasure to be here with you today joining me in the commentary box is the experienced and insightful Kim Sagal welcome Kim hi how’s it going very well very well excited as I am certainly am now this match Master a significant moment in the Asia rugby Championship as it’s the first encounter between these two teams since 2013 the UAE has rejoined the tournament this year and it’s exciting to see them back in Action historically Hong Kong have had the upper hand winning all five previous encounters since the UA split away from the Arabian golf Rugby Club in 2010 however with such a long Gap since their last meeting today’s game is promising to be an exciting and unpredictable matchup now both teams have been preparing well for this match and the atmosphere here at the Hong Kong football club is electric the home crowd is buzzing with anticipation and eager to see their teams in action now we can see here in front of us the four different sides that all compete for the Asia rugby men’s championship yeah certainly a bit of an unknown factor are the UAE we’ve seen some great progress in their sevens team they’re currently ranked third uh in age for seven we haven’t seen them in 15 action so much and the world rankings are only down in 63rd Place compared to Hong Kong China who up in 24th so one would expect Hong Kong China to come out with the up hand but I think this unknown factor might just uh have a few ripples here keep us on our toes definitely Kim the UAE team will be looking to make a strong comeback to this uh tournament and prove themselves as formidable contenders for this series now it is worth noting that we are currently under a T3 typhoon signal in Hong Kong at the moment but the weather seems to be holding up all right so hopefully that continues yeah we certainly had some decent showers on and off hopefully this uh United Arab rates team doesn’t have to deal with too much rain coming off um from the desert uh we look out for uh Captain Matt Mills he’s in at number seven we’ve got some super TR scorers number eight BS um and the number 11 huge and fast down on uh that Wing I think we I’d love to see a bit of exciting try scoring uh this UAE team’s looking pretty decent in size so we think they’re really going to come out uh try have like sort of a dominance of uh uh stamp as they kick off definitely yeah we saw an impressive outing from them about 10 months ago against a Pakistan team but uh let’s see how they go against this Hong Kong side now here we have your Hong Kong team and there are a number of key debutants we have a uh new debutant Mato a in number 10 who has stepped in for uh Glenn Hughes who unfortunately had a small leg injury it’s also a very exciting day for the cinnamon household with both Rory and zakus getting a start together up front there at loose head and tight head prop now a couple of key people to look out for here Kim uh is the excitement machine s Brian well known in the seven circuit for being a tri scorer and also Paul Ela every time he puts on that Hong Kong Jersey has been very dangerous oh absolutely and uh even on the bench Harry Sayers has come in as well we’ve got Jack Neville he’s been playing out of Hong Kong for a bit so it’s fantastic to have him back uh he’s so exciting when he gets the ball so we’re hoping we’ll see a bit of that bench come on a bit of the speed from seers if needed um little Seine magic he brought it to the sevens we’d love him to bring it today hopefully they can get that ball out wide and into those Playmakers hands now it’s lovely to see all the families and children here at the Hong Kong football club anticipating this game yeah it’s a wonderful family uh Affair down here at the Hong Kong football club great way to spend your Saturday of course today is a double header so we don’t just have one game of fun we’ve got two games of fun both uh their as rugby men’s championship and the a rugby women’s championships we’ve got the both the Hong Kong teams playing here today uh the women’s slightly different format they played a there’s a three game round robin so this is the final game later tonight where Hong Kong China take on Kazakhstan as you’ve said though uh this is the opening game for the men’s championship they’re playing a different format it’s a full team format and they’re going to play home and away games with each team so this is game one for the entire tournament uh which we’re super excited to kick off um we can see the teams lining up the flags are out fans are waving lovely to see everyone in the Hong Kong China gear and here are our team and their mascots coming out uh the children to give a little shout out are Rosie hotall F’s three kids she’s played many a game for Hong Kong China um so it’s fabulous to see her kids being a part of it today and as both of these sides get Led Out by their captains Josh H first and then also Matt Mills as they line up before the respective national anthems ladies and gentlemen if you are able please be upstanding for the anthems first the national anthem of the United Arab Emirates we’ll be starting with the anthem for UAE you [Music] [Music] and now the national anthem of Hong Kong China [Music] l [Music] [Applause] [Music] now please welcome the kath Pacific crew to the field to present our match ball ahead of today’s Asia rugby fixture between Hong Kong China and the UA referee for this match is katsuki Fus from Japan assisted by James Perry froming our referee today is katsuki f from Jaan and he’ll be assisted by James Perry and inso show and Hong Kong China won the coin toss today and chose to receive the ball and they’ll be playing from right to left on your screen here today let’s get ready for rookie the G things off for us here today here we go opting for a deep kickoff well taken by hickon Smith fakes the dummy and runs into contact lader gets it to Sawyer Sawyer with a good Collision spilled the ball on the ground and a small error there from Hong Kong China early doors sets us up for a scrum on the 22 attacking for the UAE just a little bit too much excitement there you got to feel those nerves you’re kicking off for a test game here yeah exactly those early nerves settling in and as I said in the pre-match it is a bit weak and slip in the hand so hopefully that’s not a sign of things coming but the all important first scrum here Kim they’ll be looking to the platform yeah be interesting to see how the two teams line up against each other here certainly a lot of size in both [Music] squads and as you can imagine that first encounter not quite stable enough there for katsuki so he is going to reset the scrum and it’s quite a sizable pack from the UAE they’ll be looking to get dominance here up front and try and set a bit of a presence with their big forward pack absolutely we got Andrew simple putting the ball in here keep it up use that and it’s a solid platform from the UAE and direct right up the mid Channel with a big ball carry simple getting it out going left again left again good carry strong SLE getting it through to David talu he’s Mak a good Collision push there from Hong Kong bz gets it out to the captain and a strong Collision there great tackle from Axton Barrett thank you simples going himself darting he’s found a bit of space Oh and throws it away it’s managed to recovered well but barreled into the touch line so it’s going to be a Hong Kong China line out but good attacking rugby and finding a little bit of space there the UAE oh absolutely oh big little excitement there from number nine Andrew SLE sometimes just’s got to take it yourself as a scram half definitely not just quite able to link up with his outside backs there but Luke fund Smith coming in there with a great tackle could have been in danger zones Hong Kong China if they hadn’t managed to calm things down so kusu called that ball forward so it’s going to be scrum here for the U so another attacking opportunity here good scrum first up and going down on this loose head side nothing in it though so they’re going to reset we need have more here having a little chat about the veins there definitely a fierce bit of competition up front here as we have a look at the sizable front row of the UAE Killian on the open side and Bernard here on the tight head side [Music] [Music] big push from either side and the penalty going the way of Hong Kong China big chers erupting there from the Hong Kong China boys ran Bernard just called for pulling Roy cinamon down there so it gives Hong Kong China the opportunity to let a little bit of this steam off and they Mato will look to bang this one as mentioned the Hong Kong China 10 is on his debut here and he managed to get that just outside of the halfway point Johnny McCormack Houston looking to get the ball in quickly sitting well and the first attacking lineup from Hong Kong China take and he gets it to the big Tom Hill and Luke vanders SMI in a bit of space he finds himself and he’s still going vanish love space hard to footwork and L gets it out to Mato finds hit with a quick pop and it’s an intercept and he’s the pig man is going he has got the pace does he he’s going he’s going Tommy Hill oh and that is it our first on the board the unknown factor we spoke about the UAE just sneaking one in yeah and mostly V Noah he made the high-risk play of going for the intercept and it came off and the big man had the pace to finish look at this here in the hand and he’s all go little bit of a hot potato manages to keep it in hand and bangs it down there in the corner well that’s an exciting start from the UAE boys out here Kim they are here to play absolutely the start that the UAE would want they know that they’ve got the surprise Factor that’s going to be one of their benefits we spoke about they’ve got big players hard to stop definitely caught Hong Kong China on the back foot they had a couple players maybe three even in the chase there no one could get quite there yeah that’s that’s a tough one Hong Kong China almost trying to do a little bit much they made a really good break up the Midfield um but yeah that that one extra pass that may didn’t maybe didn’t need to go Jamie Gavin lining up the kick and push that one out to the left bringing us five to UAE H China n Go yeah one second and we have a injury down off the screen today Justin Walsh just getting some running repairs looks like he had a small knee injury there in that play hopefully nothing too serious it looks like he’s getting some running repairs and should be good to continue on but opening six minutes here Kim pretty exciting for UAE absolutely exciting sh a little glimmer of hopefully what we are in for for the the the rest of the match definitely turned up here to play and he is good to go wsh getting back to position so Mato here to get things underway with a long kickoff and it is a tough one that bounces out that’s worked excellently for it gives Hong Kong a real attacking opportunity with a line out right there on the UAE 22 okay we looking to get the set piece right I apologize defensive lineup for Hong Kong China UAE will have the throw and hands up David G to get the ball in you can see the rain coming down and it’s a fantastic take from the captain Matt Mills and they set the mall and it’s a good driving Mall making great meters and they’ve broken away the big man Killian with a fantastic carry gets the ball back and the Box kick goes in finds a bit of space there as well fight down the right side here elier having by theer and it’s a good clean he’s done well there to secure the ball ler so sorry mccor MC Houston gets that through to Zack cinnamon with a good carry just settling things down trying to keep it Cal here ler gets it back too with a clearing kick and he finds touch just to settle things down but again UAE putting a lot of pressure a great line out drive there breaking away and putting Hong Kong on the back foot once again spoke they’ve got a decent amount of big guys in that forward pack I think it was a really great choice from them the mo moved quickly but was really well controlled difficult to defend China and they have another attacking line out UAE about 35 out from the Hong Kong TR line and it’s down the back and a little trick play around the back and oh great Collision houon cleaning that up and L thank get that back to Mato and they clear once again and it’s a big barrel and click down the middle of the field UAE with the Up and Under and Vander Schmidt collects that well and goes on a bit of a run steps one bumps another and another strong carry from Luke Vander Smith HED out the back to Mato gives it it to hill hill gets it to axon Barr and Hixon Smith down the sideline and on holding on is the call H just I just loved watching them move that ball making use of the space coming out wide they haven’t had too many moments to really have enough ball in hand to show how in control they can be when they have the ball in hand they are making gains but it’s these last little bits that are really uh really hurting them at the moment Kim the small things not getting the the cleans right little passes that aren’t quite going to hand and it’s a uh it’s a penalty kick that shoved into about 30 m out giving this UAE team another attacking line out deep in the Hong Kong half yeah the first couple we’ve seen from them have been very clinical very clean you can see the rain barreling down now it very difficult to keep ball in hand this lineup’s been operating pretty well for the UAE at the moment ah spoke too soon and H China have taken that one against the head and L gets it to Vander Smith another good carry from Vander Smith and L comes back on The Blind Side coric Houston with car and it’s Phils free again try luck this time around we retain position yeah not coming a round through the channel so Hong Kong China get the penalty and an opportunity to bang this one down into the UAE half and Mato does that bringing them just outside of the 50 m line another good attacking opportunity and let’s see if they can get this dynamite backline clean ball great platform ler gets it to Mato he finds Barrett P back quickly through to KL Sullivan good footwork little bit of pressure down there at the rack from UAE Hong Kong China still in possession here moves out to hostage great clean and goes in to play half back gets it out Hixon Smith with a dummy in a run good League Drive let he go ler finds Tom Hill great carry there from Sawyer pops it up to kle Sullivan of Sev the advantage called and not rolling away is the call and this gives Hong Kong trying the opportunity for getting three points going for the post or do they want to put the pressure on on post and hey they’re going for the post so decision really yeah just SLE things down a little bit get the scoreboard ticking over and had a bit of attacking uh opportunities but haven’t been able to convert so this will settle things down kicking J with Tommy Hill here Tom Hill at his familiar home Club of Hong Kong football club we kicked a few of these uh penalty kicks in the past yeah Hong Kong football club had a great season in our domestic tournament here and have the majority of uh the players in this team today you can see pressure is different R starting to pour down let go good strike hits it high but just off to the right so we’re going to come back for a 22 Dropout from the UAE wait for the ball wait for the ball ball please waiting for come through that just went over the back post but came back with a little tow rub down he spoken about it a bit it is a rainy day it’s so an incredibly humid day Gavin goes long deep into the Hong Kong half with a great Dropout finding a bit of real estate and getting Hong Kong back into their own half po there had too much fun yet looking to go quickly Hong Kong China good line out take from kle Sullivan get to Tom Hill big Collision in the Midfield ler back to Mato boot the ball and he goes for that long kick down Midfield again taken by UAE they’re going to run it from the back oh the little dink over top but it’s fielded well by Lela he looks to put some width on the ball to Mato Mato with some footwork gets it to Tom hill with a bit of space on the outside Tom Hill he’s big Collision can he keep it in keeps it in L puts it back and it’s on the UAE side but a small knock on is the call so we’re going to have a scrum for Hong Kong China fantastic attacking platform for this Hong Kong team but when Hong Kong getting the ball in space they are looking dangerous is probably one of the most positive positions Hong Kong China have found themselves in super impressed with the fly up on his debut here he looking like he’s got a lot of time and space with the ball in hand so I believe they had the option for the scrum or the line out and it looks like Hong Kong have chosen to go with the line out you would think from an attacking opportunity like this they may look to get the forwards driving through but we have just got some running repairs on on the big lock okay okay let’s go apologies the number eight Yan btis but he looks like he’s all right and katsuki looking to get this [Music] underway Houston ready for the throw on the throw be has to be yeah thank you [Music] and they go to penot with a good set Vander Schmidt with it at the back mccor Houston takes it off him and this is a good set piece driving Mall slowly creeping it out M Houston goes for the line and it is a try mccormic Houston does enough gets it over the white chalk and Hong Kong China Five Points excellent little bit of set piece play there from Hong Kong from China they’re finally on the scoreboard cheers here from local crowd some domestic players from the valley girls there in the crowd yeah well executed line out drive and that just came down to a good bit of patience you can see the big boys up front just turning it through and they drive well and just over the line There It Is by The narrowest of margins he sneaks over gets on the scoreboard for Hong Kong China drawing things up five a piece with kick to come and Tom Hill with a relatively challenging angle here Tommy Hill facing the Sportsman’s Bar lot of the hcom China fans behind the posts here taking in the action today h s and it’s a better a strike this time and he gets that over to bring the score Hong Kong China 7 United Arab aramids five creeping up to 20 minutes in it’s first qu what a hasard all sorts of things plenty of action to keep us entertained here as JB Gavin looks to get us underway again and he goes high this time and Vander SMI with the take some good footwork he’ll run it he’s a difficult one to take down so strong elusive for a big man ler to mato exen gets it to kle Sullivan in the wide Channels with some good work on the ground ler gets it to Huch the captain met well in a good tackle use now ler back to Mato the boot another big kick down the Midfield and Gavin looks to return the favor fielded well from mato points for the high ball and it’s the big Up and Under LTI chasing this one well fantastic Fe from Lely Pops that well ler he’s open he’s got people on the outside but he doesn’t need them he’s going all the way and he gets it down TR time Hong Kong China Harry ller how fantastic every good halfback running that support line well but hats off poor eler we were speaking in the start of this match he is one of those players where he gets his hands on the ball things happen look at that take and the awareness to pop it up and I’d say my head off keeping your eyes on the ball when you’ve got two huge players lining up to tack Che the ground as well please oh he does so well we should time off yeah time off herey just time off attempt from n but not enough har L over the try 12 five to Hong Kong China with a kick to [Music] come excellent work there from the TR scorer hope he’s well pleased with that Tommy Hill ready to have another kick of the post so time is off at the moment and they’re going up to the TMO just Wang to have a quick look at this just making sure that the grounding is right was of course a tackle the try line shakos nice with some great defensive work getting back there just double cheing to see whether or not the grounding was all okay Hong Kong China hly think that they did enough they’ve all gone back okay TR good to their half and there it is the try is good Kat key for Rashi Blows the Whistle and the TR stands so Tommy Hill with another opportunity to kick the extra two Tommy Hill with his calm steps back and there it is and the conversion is good 14 plays Five Hong Kong China and Kim you could say that Hong Kong is starting to hit their straps now yeah they look like they’ve eased to like a good little rhythm there they looking slightly more controlled where they want to be I think we’re going to see this continue as the game goes on and the UA is just going to keep trying to punch up with a little mix it up here and they’re surprised that’s what they’re here to offer they here to offer big they’re going to be some more big tackles from them um but I think will’ll see Hong Kong China looking like the the the team that’s uh really the one in control and why would kickoff there and Jamie P gets the bounce oh isn’t able to find his outside Ballou and that gets knocked into touch so UAE get the option for the scrum or the line out scrum way to get play Going On Again charg down surprisingly into the hands of pink cot Evergreen Jamie p and the UAE as You’ expect with this big Ford pack have opted to go for the scrum giving themselves a solid platform to attack from here and try and strike back after Hong Kong with a couple of good tries should be looking quite solid in their own SC trying to cause a bit of uh castles with the Hong Kong China front row sneaky props you happen to know anything about being a sneaky prop would you there’s dark arts in there but it’s gone down unfortunately with an early push from Hong Kong China so the free kick awarded to UAE but they opt again to go for the scrum they’re rning themselves with a bit of dominance up front here Kim absolutely causing a few problems and this is where this big Ford pack are going to try and slow things down a little bit and try and exhaust this Hon Kong forward pack in scrum [Music] time to number eight potential danger players on either side here seen a bit of it from Hong Kong China’s Luke smid haven’t seen too much in Froman BS but be fun if he does get his hands on the ball and UAE get it out and they look to go wide good cont in the Midfield WS trying to step away there from contact fin is brought down gets it out to David to Wu says and it’s the pick and go can he called it knock on knock on playing Advantage elier with the ball fancy footwork offload cinnamon with some good hands to Mato Mato FS a bit of space he’s got a Barrett outside him and he goes back on the inside to Harry ller for a double ller again China he is all smiles Harry ladler because he is on fire the Sandy Bay Rugby Club halfback absolutely getting the spoils well done all around from Hong Kong China and they’re really starting to open things up now this was great hands from the big tide head prop but Mato on debut with some great footwork finding Exon Barrett and then ler with that fantastic support line again on the inside and look at the determination on Harry and there’s no questions about that one we don’t need the TMO there that’s TR time excellent PP back in there from Axton barington as you mentioned L has been running those support lines there always around there coming away the goods and Hong Kong China really starting to hit their straps now and when they’re getting a sniff they’re taking it take them a little while to to sort of get into the groove of things but now it sort of seems that they are coming away from this game 19 plays Five kick to come here from Tom Hill oh we sliced that one out wide unfortunately has Tommy Hill but we’re 24 4 minutes into this game it’s 195 to Hong Kong China plenty of action plenty of action just within the last few minutes hopefully it will continue and you can see there Andrew Douglas looking over the Hong Kong China men’s coach and Jamie Gavin looking to get us underway again big kickoff well taken from Jamie PCO HS to to Vander Smith it takes few plays to get from Smith down Go Let It Go Hong Kong not rushing here L with the Box kick little bit of space finds his number nine counterpart sends it back down Mato fields that well and looks to exit and he does he exits well bringing play up just beyond the halfway for the UAE now UAE will be looking to formulate something from this line out they need to be the next team to score they don’t want this game to get away from them they’ve looked really promising in these opening minutes but the score is starting to creep away the lineup has been operating reasonably well so far for the UAE again with a throw well taken and and it’s ma going with the UAE driving getting a good R the ball the B use the ball as the call from the r and it splits and a Truck and Trailer is the call so unfortunately getting a good drive on into his own man putting him offside so that gives a scrum now to Hong Kong China right there on the halfway yeah they did have great success early in the game uh moving them more tricky one to keep control of yeah when the the mall starts rolling like that and it gets away from you can’t keep hold it comes a bit of a challenge Hong Kong China with an opportunity here plenty of space out right a lot of attacking weapons let’s see what they can do from this platform double TR scorer ler looking to put the ball in big [Music] [Applause] push that angles the call out and it’s Killian stepping around on Zack cman and giving Hong Kong China the penalty and Mato an opportunity to bang this one down into the UAE half and he does so very well bring them just outside of the 22 with another great second opportunity numers they’re looking in a great position here Hong Kong China quick line up P taken well ler gets the HST find Tommy Hill on a good angle and the just goes down U sorry to count but there’s a we knock on there both ways so we’re going to go back for a UA scrum and then there six in as he jumps okay sorry you just a bit worried about numbers in the lineup there clearly Hong Kong quite clearly looking to play this with a bit of speed as soon as the ball’s ready they’re going quickly in those line outs but the scrum has been hotly contested bit of set play here so far yeah the UAE is putting Hong Kong China under a lot of pressure in these SC last one definitely look like an effort to get the ball out see thereor cinnamon on a second cap for Hong Kong China How fa to have cinnamon Brothers on either side there in the front row it goes down you’d have to think maybe with it being a little bit wet under foot it’s hard for these guys to to get a good grip on the ground let go keep up this pit also as we’re not playing grass long STS challenging Hong Kong try be looking to put real pressure on the scrum UAE down in their own half continues to come down SLE gets it in they clear and bang that one safely into touch at about the 30 m Mark good pressure relief there from UAE yeah they’ve done enough but Hong Kong China now with another attacking line out stay on the mark please thank you stay there and they opting for the short line out put some of the big ball Runners out into the back line H Houston with the throw find Sullivan lader Mato and Huch all trying to flick it out the back door but unfortunately not able to in actually a penalty getting awarded to UAE play on the grounds for playing it on the grounds the call So Jamie Gavin again with an opportunity to release the pressure B this one down into the Hong Kong half that would have seemed like an opportunity wasted Hong Kong China a decent kick brings play at the 40 m Mark in Hong Kong territory UAE a bit slow to get to this line up we spoke about before the game about whether each team would have a different Fitness how that would come into play thank you thank you can see Hong Kong are trying to speed things up youe trying to play it at their own pace and bubbles around the top but falls on the Hong Kong China side it’s a slippery ball today a small knock on means that we’re going to scrum [Music] here and these front row forwards definitely getting their working today with plenty of scrums Cam I follow your absolutely come from set piece to set piece here still all smiles though these two Ford packs B up for another scrum [Music] [Music] platform it goes down again and should just dropping it the tight hit prop from UAE and penalty coming Hong Kong’s way the same problem a few times in these scrums U just trying all they can to get dominance up front but fortunately doing it quite by the r book and King that down into the U territory giving them another lineup they’re looking to go quick again with another Short Line out hou ready to go moves him onto the mark ball goes in finds Sullivan lader gets it to Mato finds hion Smith on the inside and he breaks free he’s got Hill outside and a big Collision on Hill ler with some quick ball finds a bit of width got Vander SMI out the back and Z Brian oh he’s so hard to put down he drives those legs L to Huch with a good carry H seeing the Trine heads toward it Sullivan with a pick defense holds well Vander Schmidt pops it through to Sawyer driving hard no CM from the line here pcot gets it to HST and Hill is over and another try fantasticly worked try there from Hong Kong China yeah they showed great patience there not to uh do anything to individual but just get it through the hands small picking goes and right under the sticks there for Tommy Hill he’ll be happy with that one uh makes this conversion a lot easier absolutely just the replay here small pick and goes moved it out find a little bit more space some good leg drive here and really good heads up play from Josh hich not just to put his head down and be selfish but to find big Tommy Hill on the outside little hands and that’s all you needed to get over the line well done Hong Kong China brings us to 24-5 with the kick to come here Tommy Hill said he’s seen a lot of opportunities to add extra [Music] points Hill bangs it over for an additional two bringing us to 26 to5 34 minutes played and it’s starting to look like Hong Kong uh getting the wood here they running away with the score line certainly looking comfortable here Tommy Hill for one and a lot of the other Hong Kong China players [Music] great game out here for the fans at the Hong Kong football club thank you to those who’ve also tuned in we’re streaming live and AJ rugby Live on YouTube plenty of people watching and it’s great to have all the support but youe get us underway with a nice high one and it’s p taken in the air but the ball comes out and Hixon Smith finds himself with the pill and it’s l getting it to ax Barrett a small knock on in the contact area take a little time out here looking very uncomfortable there on the ground they’re calling a fair contest he takes a big cision there and he hasn’t quite got back up yet hopefully he’s looking all right Jamie’s got the physio there looking after him but he’s back on his feet now unfortunate Landing that he’s back on his feet and’s good to go we love to see that contested the BS fine let’s go and we’re going to restart play here with a scrum to the UAE so good attacking opportunity here I said this previously but they really need to come away with something now yeah this only had a few moments ear on the game they try have just tuned in was the first points on the board we’ve had a few magic moments in the UA looking for a few [Music] more all important points just before halftime very key to go into the [Music] break set keep it up simple gets the ball in it’s a good platform for the UAE they look to get a bit of width on the ball oh oh and the little pop doesn’t quite go to hand almost an excellent line there from the UAE full passes the call and it rolls into touch so they’ve got the opport here whether they want to go for line out or for the scrum scrum and scrums the call Hong Kong China piece here okay klian he’s gone down looks like he’s having some trouble with his boots so they’re going to need to run some repairs here the water technicians those boots have got through a lot of work today with plenty of scrums a tri scorer Harry ladler he’s having a very good game today is Harry ler in his second test match for Hong Kong China looking very comfortable there is the rugby director of the UAE Paulo perini looking over his men and so far we’ve had plenty of action Kim 26 plays Five 36 minutes gone most of the action in the second half of this first half has been Hong Kong China’s way with the UAE putting some early pressure on but starting to fall off the pace a little bit yeah I understand I need to be so far yeah as we get a good view of this fantastic Hong Kong football make sure stay Square to see every here cheering on the teams head back into those one another scram here we go with the ball for Hong [Music] Kong with the feed the pressure coming on to get this it’s Missy no no scram de scram 90° so it’s reset scrum it’s been wheeled and it’s going to be a Hong Kong China feed again until they get a stable platform really doing best to ruffle things up here doesn’t always go their way though Crouch [Music] a bit of platform this time movement the advantage for Hong Kong China and UAE called for wheeling again the second time so it’s a penalty this time and Mato with ball in hand to bang this one down into the UAE half he clears nicely and we have a Hong Kong attacking line out just outside the 50 m Mark and then another attacking opportunity just before the end of half time this half sorry Houston gets it in finds PCO Mato gets it to xon Barrett and Vander SMI takes it up the [Music] Midfield and fantastic defense there from the UAE being able to get under the big man and hold him up and making that one contestable so the reset play will be a UAE UA want a bit more of a disciplin scrm this time use it to their advantage not be giving away penalties to Hong Kong China that was very solid defense from Justin Walsh the number 12 for the UAE Luke vanishment is a hard man to to keep up right like that yeah he came into contact strongly excellent defense there from three players ready to take him on Captain D [Music] there simple gets the ball in told to use it and they go blind funny little space here on the outside and barald in touch nice to see the U running the ball a bit a bit disjointed big number 30 u v NOA he’s been into a lot of work today got the opening try for the UAE they use him a lot off that set piece go to the back PCO fortunately the lineup is not quite straight so there’ll be time for one last scrum the UAE H just sounded here down the Hong Kong football club Sly a mixed bag of action one last roll of the dice here for the UAE with an atten scrum about the 35 met Mark in Hong Kong [Music] territory CR [Music] sample checking everyone in the team knows what the plan is again again again R’s not happy though okay let’s go St down please let’s go testing each other outly contested up front [Music] Crouch B simple gets the feed in and it’s collaps but this time it’s the UAE getting the penalty interesting to see what they do here in the final Play Let’s Go imagine they will look to get this one down in into the corner Jam Gavin boot the ball bangs that one nicely into the Hong Kong 22 and a great attacking opportunity to finish things off here for this first half of the UAE UAE strolling over no rush from them [Music] again to get the ball in and Hong Kong manag to get up got a small knock on and that is enough was a little bit of a kff Down Tommy Hill boil over a little bit think we all just need to go drink some water and Cat suuki fushi is not having a bar of it so he calls the players off the field to go to halftime and a pretty exciting first half there Kim 26 plays Five and you can fear to say that it’s been mostly Hong Kong China for the bulk of this first half yeah it certainly took them a while to get into it you can see they just a little bit of excitement uh at the kickoff there were a few fumbles they gave away quite a few pen that seemed unnecessary um but as the as the half progressed they looked a lot more composed they looked a lot more together they were running the lines a bit more UAE on the other hand came out hard and fuss at the beginning they got a try pretty early on um they had some really great moments they caught Hong Kong China off guard quite a few times but they did seem to sizzle out a little bit as the half has gone on and here we have the highlights from the first half as mentioned UA there with a great first try really sent Hong Kong China’s defense into a te it’s the big man with the opening try V Noah he’s been into a lot of work today and from here on out it’s been all Hong Kong with Ming opening their points with a great effort from the back of a well played line out drive this one of course was a great bit of magic PA L air there wonderful Chase from him and into the hands of number nine Harry ller he had the support didn’t need it we didn’t check the TMO grounding there try was given and that’s Paul Ela again for the second try good hands from the big man and Mato on deu finding Aon Barrett and straight back for the dve score har later to get his [Music] brace two Tres over for number nine Harry ller and here’s a good effort from the Hong Kong Ford pack and giving it out to the big Tommy Hill to finish it off nicely under the sticks so that is all we have for the first half we’ll be back with you shortly [Music] he [Music] Asia rugby is more than half a million players coaches and organizers experiencing the game in this multicultural region established in 1968 Asia rugby has expanded from eight founding countries to more than 36 member unions spanning Lebanon in the west to gu W in the East Kazakhstan in the north to Indonesia in the South home to more than half the world’s population and an incredible 80% of its youth Asia rugby has grown from holding just one tournament every two years to running more than 15 International competitions each and every year culminating in the iconic Asia rugby championship and the Asia rugby 7 Series Asia rugby continues to grow the game through initiatives like get into rugby initiatives that have helped us expand our player Base by more than 25% per year initiatives designed to empower our kids with the Knowledge and Skills necessary to develop great players and Inspire positive social change Asia rugby is a diverse collection of cultures bound together by our core values of Integrity passion solidarity discip and respect driving our belief that rugby makes a positive contribution to people’s lives Asia rugby is taking our great game its spirit and everything it stands for to over half the world’s population and we invite you to be part of it Asia rugby we can do better but together [Music] our world is growing and so is rugby there are more players more teams more matches than ever before luckily our game is simple we only really need one thing to play and we buy millions of them every [Music] year unfortunately too many end up in the wrong place but some balls are made [Music] better Rhino’s recycled range is made with up to 80% recycled Rubble we are still not perfect but it’s a step in the right direction you only need a ball make it a good one for rugby for you for the planet a ball for the planet a ball for the planet a ball for the planet the Rhino recycled range a ball for the planet [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] this afternoon a Cy to [Music] worldation forom [Applause] what and welome welcome back to the Asia rugby Championship Opening match between Hong Kong China and the UAE so far today it has been predominantly Hong Kong China getting 26 points to uae’s 5 in this opening 40 minutes as we have plenty of rain starting to come down now as the UAE team comes on and the Hong Kong China team coming out to the field as well plenty of support for the home side down here at the Hong Kong football club but we’ve had quite an exciting match so far Kim yeah the question is will the second half just really open things up are we going to see a lot more tries was this slippery weather really going to get in the way of some of that running R be fun and we have plenty of Firepower coming off the bench for both of these sides there’s some excitement machines in the Hong Kong team with sevenstar Harry sers looking to make an appearance and the veteran of 17 caps Jack Neville also looking to come on and show his prow s but we are here and it’s Hong Kong China looking to kickoff and Mato does the honors and gets it deep into the UAE half good take there from SLE sends it right back finds touch and brings it just before the 50 m Mark giving Hong Kong China the opening set piece to set a platform here and they look to go quickly with pink Cott great take to lader lader gets it out to Mato finds Hixon Smith on the inside with a good carry finds Vander smid Vander smid to Axton Barrett good Collision ler going back to Zack cinnamon with a good carry Solid there from ler Mato looks to bring it back on the short side goes himself with a good carry now L to Sawyer Sawyer carries hard some great me there to Sawyer back left we go C with a good carry the ball squirts out and they go back to the blind Vander smid with some good feet he’s hard to put down Luke vanders SMI move from him there Mato ball looks for the Cross Field and he’s got the advantage so they’re going to come back for a penalty just about 35 M [Music] out and a good opening phase there from Hong Kong China looking to set off with how they ended that first half Mato bangs this one down into the 22 of the UAE attacking line out for Hong Kong China see how grey it is down here Hong Kong certainly not usually a windy place when you’ve got typhoons and storms in the vicinity it’s a good breeze on the go one man off sideways rain for good measure as well good take there from salivan Vander Schmid finds ler ler to Axton Barrett with a loop around for Mato ball gets slapped down there from UAE and the advantage nothing from that so it’s going to be a Hong Kong China scrum out of the Midfield in a good attacking position just outside of the 22 now this scrum time has been hotly contested in the first half with both packs getting penalties either way and being a real contest not a lot of resets you can expect with a weather like this those packs had their oranges and have all the energy they need to get us underway lader [Music] done already come side let’s go again let’s go on the left hand side as you mentioned previously quite wet underfoot proven to be difficult these packs to get traction keep it up keep it up but a great attacking opportunity here from Hong Kong China number of threats in that back moving that ball quite quickly you would expect much of the same again going down on that Far Side keeps down that Far Side Hong Kong China get the opportunity now to pin this one into the corner they do exactly that and an attacking line out opportunity now them to strike excellent positioning there see the bench going for a little jug see too many changes just yet Houston to get us underway find Sullivan they look to drive works out well China in the previous half Houston finds Hill and Hill it opens up and he does the big Swan Dive Right into the corner and it’s all celebrations here for Hong Kong in these opening 5 minutes they managed to get across the white line again and they are thank you going from where they left off in the first half this is great work from a foric Houston there to find Tommy Hill fantastic line diving in for it great try Center there on CH dancing in the rain down here at the Hong Kong football club it’s a double for the big man Tom Hill Tommy Hill’s not done though need to try add a couple more points to that try see the rain coming down here it’s a good shot of it he’s having a good game Tom Hill he’s find himself in the right place at the right time getting the spoils looking to add the extras early here in the second half slow steps back lined up behind the post strikes it well and it’s good another two points so 33 plays uaes Five an excellent start there from Hong Kong China they’ll want to continue this the half just a few minutes in the second half for opening game of the AG rugby men’s championship Hong K Hong Kong China vers UAE and we’re underway here with Gavin going deep finds Vander Smith Vander Smith with the footwork to take it himself and why would for you the smid use it use it says the ref ler looking to box kick gets a good connection with that one and a fantastic pounce there the young PJ ler oh that ragby ball bounce can really be your best friend your worst enemy it certainly can he’s having a great game old Harry he’s doing what he needs to do and UAE back into their own 22 U you had a lot of lineups in this match many have gone their way many have knocked David G get this one in and a great line Out steal from kle sulliv ler cleans that up and finds Vander Smith Vander Smith Goes forward the only way he knows lader to Sawyer Sawyer with some good footwork good double tack from UAE Houston cers bar finds penot finds Sid Bryan and he’s got El on the outside and it’s enough and it’s try time for Hong Kong China Paul Ela Co Ela you mentioned at the beginning of this game he’d be a player to watch and hasn’t he just had all the magic he certainly has some homegrown Talent here from Hong Kong P Ela yeah he came through playing rby for Valley Ford one of the many clubs here with children’s rugby went on to play uh for Valley’s men’s team as well currently applying as trade overseas but comes back to Hong Kong when International Duties are calling and absolutely doing a job great little pop there as well to him from SE bran we haven’t seen too much from SE bran tonight touches we have seen have been good but Hong Kong China doing what they need to do in the second half a couple of early tries the scoreboard starting to get away the UAE challenging kick here for Tom Hill right in the corner wither keeps barreling down here at Hong Kong Football Club Stadium good strike and he does enough that’s a fantastic kick there from Tom Hill really difficult angle but he managed to get that one across that brings us to 38 points plays Five sorry 40 with that conversion plays five for El here try scorer there in the back full back for Hong Kong tring here today doing a fabulous job with that being unfold in the lot the other try so it’s great to see him get some points of his own jny B for the UAE just getting some running repairs in back play there yeah I think and it looks like that will be the end of the day for him as Chris mcke joins the field all good okay back UA kicking yes off again here down at P football club Gavin puts it up high pingot with a good take land safely this [Music] time getting some length again looking to box kick and he does puts it up high good Chase here from Hickson Smith spook to handle them things in UAE B still Captain Mills let it go let it go it simple with a box kick he going to find finds Mato Mato with some footwork Hixon Smith making handling look easy back soya with some good hands back to mato looks for that little offload can’t quite find Hill walls open here we could be on for some magic the bounce once again oh unfortunate for UAE really good clean up work there from Paul he bangs it down deep into the UAE half chases it as well strong Chase line but then it’s Rory Arthur looks just to settle things down puts boot the ball and gets that one out pretty Helter Skelter stuff out here Kim yeah I really thought we were maybe on something there there was a bit of space ball got a little bit messy here UAE excellent reactions there from them went with the little n Paul L the magic of Paul ler doing very well at the back there to clean things up but I’m really impressed with confidence that this young fly half for Hong Kong China Mato is playing with really trying his hand attacking the line yeah not only has he l and cool he’s also look super confident he’s been trying a few different things certainly has we’ve got Matt Mills the captain UAE bit of blood nose here just took contact there in that last Collision H tryina hook her as well M Houston down showing the physicality this game is a lot of big boys running into each other here Kim yeah we certainly thought it would be a physical encounter it’s definitely lived up to the fact and it looks like Zack cinman has left the field as well with poti going see it coming on as his replacement just up on the screen mate it’s coming now Kell mullik has also joined the team we’re just going to have a little look at this Collision two is up bit of a he between MCC Houston and Matt Mills we need to find a see a mitigation TMO just Wang trying to see exactly what has happened here intentional head on head just I want you to show The Little Speed not a slow motion ref for in Real Speed playing at real speed now consider the degree of danger yeah they’re looking for the degree of danger here one of those unfortunate rugby injuries where one more time yes please but I don’t see him um red cut offense so how look passive yeah so deg of danger is high but here a stally and the passive cont so mitigating down from red to Yellow I agree I agree all right agree thank you so red too we won’t be in red card territory here although there is somewhat of a high degree of danger and I think we’ll be seeing a little yellow whipped out of the pocket it’s one of those unfortunate ones K where he just himself in getting from red to Yellow yeah and then you station unfortunate for I he’s had a really fantastic game he’s had a lot of lineups to he certainly has and not only does he get a head knock he gets a 10-minute spell as well is some rest time of course this does mean Hong Kong China down to 14 [Music] players and UAE get the penalty and an opportunity to bang this one down into the Hong Kong China half and with only four men on the field UAE will look to strike here and they really need to start to get this thing rolling imagine they’ll try to move that ball down the line one extra [Music] player well taken there by the UAE taken well looking to get some width the big Blind Side flanker with a big carry down the Midfield simple goes quickly Gavin boot to Ball s Brian cleans that up nicely dazzling feet from s Brian no we are clean up really well there for H China Mato going in half but Luke vishmi takes it little pop off to Solon trying to really keep things calm here not rushed looking clear this keeping this one in the field of play bounc into the hands of UAE Danger Man n and he proves to be so breaking the first tackle SLE finds a bit of width back back good phases here from the UAE Collision open up dallo carry [Music] simple dummies goes forward Advantage Hong Kong China keep playing Z brain there over advantage over comes into the fullbacks hands Richards it’s a good little kick in yeah and he gets the 5022 fantastically educated boot there from Matthew Richards whiteall off let put the U in a great little spot after some really nice play from them we haven’t seen them put together so many phases uh during this game it’s been a little bit stop start for them nice see them move the ball keep the ball in hand definitely definitely as we see in okay the back play there okay Hong Kong China veteran Alex post looking to back come onto the field with Houston with his Yellow Card U replacement Gant with the ball here line out great little piece there oh finds a bit of space carrying hard in the Midfield number 20 simple he new legs are working well for UAE some good go forward ball here the UAE oh fantastic offload but doesn’t go to hand that is highly unfortunate for UAE they had the extra man on the side really promising phases of play here from the UAE unfortunately not going to [Music] hand let’s go scrum we’re going to have another scrum deep inside the Hong China 22 we had some Replacements on both sides here so see how F and the scram it’s been hotly contested area so far so let’s see how the new man here up front and there’s Alex post joining the free CH need some good defense here cly big size they get it together this SC are pretty hard ler with the feedat Tom Hill just loses it for Advantage to the UAE dangerous zones they put Bo of ball looking to go out wide and it’s Paul aler again that ball just finds Al’s hands that is some really good work from Paul aler diffusing the bomb if you will taking a lot of pressure off this Hong Kong side UA the replay they go with the kick pass out to the wing they had the player waiting he’s not expecting poor ler and his superhero powers to come in the way there and a fantastic clearance relieving so much of the pressure there from Hong Kong Bo the ball all the way down to outside the 50 back into the UAE half huge boat there we’re just watching play happen right in the TR line and now we’re into the other half of the field just slow down helps so much that boot looking to set another platform here here with the throw in good and it’s a great contest from MAA p p once that he takes it Ford lader gets it through to Vander Schmid who just bubbles It Forward haven’t seen too much of that from from theid but slippery ball we’ve mentioned a few times he’s got through a lot of work today Luke Vander SMI it’s an unfortunate down for another scrum no going down not going down just keep square up let’s go you T frow come on a good [Music] platform hard work being a front row and a few replacement backs have also come onto the field with Harry and [Music] also two players that could really set this place light we need to get the ball back into for that and the forward pack has done that for Hong Kong China that’s fantastic work up front there from the big man fil Solomon pen as well they done really well there to get the try sorry let get the penalty just so excited Ash so many tries Mato composes himself bangs that one deep inside the UAE 22 red N Sub we going see a little sub here for the two-time triy scorer Harry ler as a warar goes across the stadium the man on debut Chung very exciting for the young halfback as you said Harry ler very good opening engagement only second game played very well Sawyer with a great take gets it to Hill carries [Music] hard welcome interational cleans it up jump gets it to pingot [Music] vender Smith always getting SMI too Mato boot the ball love a sneaky kick pass taking the the advantage so he went for the highrisk play thank you is going to be a penalty right out front of the sticks PR smart play there fromo with a lot of confidence this mato pushing the envelope got that Advantage be interesting to see what Hong Kong do here they go for the they are going for the scrum oh yeah feeling like they have dominance the last scram penalties surely put them in High Spirits they’ll be looking to do the same him in front row yeah’s the deut [Music] really good attacking opportunity here of before the scrum with only seven men no too much but a little bit too excited and it’s the early shove giving UAE the free kick and letting the pressure off some good Smiles there from Lucas wedding chinny gav BRS this one down good clearance bringing play up towards the [Music] halfway Okay C is coming back on so the yellow card is coming back on but it is end of the night for MC Houston and Tyler mcnut will come up come up come up on replacing thank you to bring Hong Kong China back to the full compliment 15 players and mcnut getting into the action early with a great take Mato Sawyer carrying up the Midfield it’s bobbled around Solomon cleans it up well done well done CH finds Vander Smith the show and go back Ball’s available Ball’s there to Mato running ler banging it down into the corner it’s a taken back well taken though you are going to have a run [Music] [Music] themselves yep gav get the kick in backwards almost into the hands of Harry SE just touch the head of har sers so fortunate kick there for UAE they’re going to have the attacking line out just outside the 40 m Mark Hong Kong China 15 Harry say is just itching for a little bit of ball time it’s really difficult in these conditions putting come up white boot the ball Anything Can Happen yes throw in well contested again from Hong Kong China but Chung does well to clean that up at the back take that from CH s going in at Half Back finds fisel Solona oh he’s good carrying the ball fil Solon bounces through contact really with the big Up and Under you’ve got chases the pressure on and a strong tackle there from s bran by tack vage is the call a great [Music] carry pass got a high tackle is the call so it’s going to be back for a UAE penalty JY Gavin once again looking to relieve that pressure in the UAE not able to find touch though Chong gets it into Mato finds Harry sers with all the pace and he does well oh he loses that one for simple V smth it in behind Vander Smith there to clean up with the steps one bumps off his own man brings it to the 22 CH goes himself with a great little pop finds Jackie nibs Tom Hill carry straight and sets it there Chong to Sawyer to mcnut mcnut with some great footwork that ripped away from the pig number eight once again Hong Kong being Their Own Worst Enemy here UAE roll away make use of it oh not roll away still Hong Kong um coming there with those unnecessary penalties really just giving the ball to the opposition yeah they are they’re doing so much good and then slight here is in judgment got both phys on at the moment good a lot of boys down from this UAE side proving that the the pace of this game yeah we’re three quarters of the way and those last 20 really tell sometimes with the fitness this of course as we mentioned is the uae’s uh debut joining the um Asia rugby men’s championship and they’ve shown glimpses of some really good work so far Kim they’re going to be good contenders in this competition going forward oh absolutely they’ve had some brilliant moments have some magic from their own players that’s the penalty there just releasing before going for the contest big lock marus G good okay we play Let’s Go never seeing a player limping off ideal we get play back underway TR gav getting the UAE back into an attacking Zone here need to get this line out right building some phases they need to hold on to this ball once they can build a couple of phases they’re looking all right difficult in these conditions than S a good throw in says love Advantage C’s the call so they’ve got the advantage and simple thinks about going quickly but decides against it they back themselves to go into this corner and try set up that driving wall again and this is arguably the first real attacking opportunity UAE have had in the second half deep in the Hong Kong Red Zone looking at a driving Mall imagine they’d want to keep this one in the forward pack Dr Wall has been working well so far for the UAE that’s the captain it’s the good take and he predicted a driving moreall but it’s a good contest there from Hong Kong China NY that teack well getting over the ball really well is Kell MCA absolutely extraordinary work there from Hong Kong China it’s really difficult to defend that kind of um M particularly when we’ve seen it work so well early in this game for the UAE definitely yet Sensational work there from Callum he’s come on with fresh legs and really made an impact Mato HS this one a little glimmer of hope the UAE once again we been booted play down more to Middle Field we have to to get back there let’s go let’s go yeah we playing we playing post looking to get us restarted again Short Line out from Hong Kong China who’s your receiver who’s your receiver okay no no we to play hi C with a good take decide to themselves post has it at the back finds trongo a big high one well taken and look to go for a run little Up and Under Mato well taken finds vand Smith Vander Smith a little bit of dancing feet big shoulder Luke Vander Smet CH gets him across to fil Solona solomona runs into three players Vander SMI gets it to maala CH goes again that short side oh he finds his teammate Harry se but unfortunately SE foot finds the touch line get another opportunity six in luckily for Hong Kong China we’re bringing a back for an earlier penalty CH playing with some good confidence he’s had a couple of goes down that short side and he’s quite getting the ball away but definitely some opportunities there like how quickly he’s making decisions toucher we’ve got another replacement on here for Hong Kong China big Edison coming in for Rory cinnamon will have plenty of work up front to do and mull to Chung Chung gets it to Mato finding sers on the inside sers with a bit of [Music] space and off the call right now from the UAE backline it looks like Harry sers has just copped little bit of a niggle there in that contact a big Collision be super disappointing for Harry se he has been desperate for a bit of ball and a bit of space trying to get involved as much as he can what of the sevens team we’ve seen them play a lot lately it’s been fantastic he’s electric with ball in hand and a bit of space but just unfortunately CED a little bit of an injury to his knee it looks yeah yeah yeah yeah say his mom born in Hong Kong so fantastic for him to come back this way to play rugby oh the bench has to sit in the rain I feel that’s harsh and let’s have a look at some of the action here from the second half with big Tommy going in for that first try and the big swan dive off give it a n out of 10 that one pretty good Axton Barrett finding pink Cott s Bryan unselfishly giving the cross to his fullback PA Altier he doted down into the corner and action is underway here again with Mato that one into the UAE 22 another attacking opportunity here for Hong Kong China unfortunately it’s the night over for Harry sers and Charles Higgin Smith has come back onto the field with post looking to go quickly through Mulla and post gets the ball back there at the back of this driving [Music] Mall start rumbling forward don’t change your moving it well keeping it together here from Hong Kong China still with ball in hand Goose to ground PCO picks and goes stay there St vandi dishes to Sawyer finding more ground to solomona P good controll hands there looking to move [Music] it and F Solona tenness D for the line going to have a look at this one time off time off says ref the referee katsuki fuchi he going to go upstairs to just Wang the TMO we need to go upstairs I’m going to say no try okay no try so H up KN on that ball was knocked on in the in goal area the call okay just do do have a obvious knock on or held up thank you double checking whether we take knock on held up they initially held up let’s see TMO just Wang has to say about it Tommy Hill waiting so fion need a no no try and away I think once white hands is underne the ball so I don’t see a cig groundings the ball is taken and ENG go by R and then grounded yeah knocked on and grounded by white so I’m on the goal line drop out really good no try goal line drop out that’s desperation stuff but it’s no tries to call and it is going to be a goal line Dropout after the ball was ripped away from solomona and placed down by the UAE So Jamie Gavin gets us underway and Mato Fields the ball gets it to hickon Smith come back from spell dummy kick as he always does right into contact Chong find Mato the Jack nille and intercept oh and a good bit of footwork there the UAE a little bit of excitement here from the UAE simple getting it through to David to he some great runs tonight going with the kick 11’s looking for it and a great take under pressure there from very much so Jackie NBS opening things up find Sawyer Saw’s taken down well by the UAE Chong finding Mato gets a bit of width on it eler eler to S briyan oh massive flying contact but s keeps his feet and drives really well s Bryan small but so effective Jackie NES Jackie NES so great to see him back in Hong Kong F solomona getting in a lot of work today he’s incredibly strong fortunately holding on to the ball on the ground he was looking for that support player to give the little pop pass to it just didn’t come yeah sometimes just a good oldfashioned boring ball placement probably be your best bet yeah trying to get a little too fancy with it perhaps get UAE another penalty pin this one down into the Hong Kong China half Jamie Gavin with the boot again exactly that [Music] a good game today some challenging conditions certainly move the ball out into more positive spheres for UAE back pack slowly sorry to come across to this line out as the r keeps bucketing down for the short line out a lot of fancy work there but no one eventually going up and it’s oh it’s Edison who gets the ball Sawyer strong carry from Sawyer a of work today James Sawyer Chong finding Mato Jack nille Hill Vander Smith gets it to LTA LTA looks to pop it back in just pushed out into the touch line r and looks like it’s actually come off a UAE player so it’s going to be a Hong Kong China throw into this line out as look to go short again big Luke Vander SMI out in the backline James Sawyer there as well [Music] they go up front to P unfortunately not quite straight there from Alex post so gives UA the option for the scrumble line out and they’re going to go with the scrum let’s go so go all new front rows set for the big ran Bernard from the UAE 72 minutes in still going strong a lot of work the big man that’s a big shift it’s been a lot of SCS in this match he [Music] has to strike here just inside their own half a lot more open play the second half good scrum from the Hong Kong China team and they get the wood on them huge chers erupting lots of high fives going on Edison will be very happy with that opening scrum the young debutant putting a lot of pressure on really well China team really a great mix of Youth and experience love seeing the new cats come on doing so well fantastic kick there down into u22 once again getting Hong Kong China another platform to strike from getting there nice and quickly play this with a bit of pace and post he gets this in and they set for another lineup drop post with the ball at the back slowly marching forward John CL man and they’re doing well great drive on here in post he’s looking for the line and he’s over what an exceptional driving Mall there from Hong Kong China and getting the goods Alexander posted at the back there yeah he’s also familiar at the back of those driving malls he’s scored a number of drives for Hong Kong back there and another one to his tell J pink cot there he has played oh what a ship today for Hong Kong China Hong Kong China have really done well there in the set piece great scrum and a fantastic platform there in the line out but you’re right Jamie pingot has got through a lot of work today a lot of that um graft the uh that you don’t necessarily see put himself in the thick of everything but posty keeping cool calm and composed driving those legs through to the touchline Fantastic work uh rest 1 minute 50 seconds there he isander post former Sandy Bay Rugby Club player now applying his trade overseas similar to Paul ler Tommy Hill gets another opportunity to add the extras certainly been a familiar face for the zoomed up for these kicks Tommy Hills hat today doesn’t mind getting plenty of air time on Tommy Hill in his familiar home ground couple of tries for Tom as well had a great outing so far some good Chase on there from the UAE but it doesn’t face Tommy Hill and upgo those flags the extra two points for Hong Kong China he’s really got his kicking boots on in the second half a couple of challenging kicks that scoreboard just keeps taking over 4 minutes to play 47 to5 say Hong Kong China really asserted their dominance here Hong Kong football club just a few more minutes to go uee kick gets off again will we see any more action good take there from PCO brings the ball forward finding Vander Smith solid carry from Vander Smith Mato looks to put some footwork in hands off one finds pingot they go quickly Jack Jack finding the space to Sawyer in the opening channels and Hixon Smith on the outside long leg he’s going to go all the way Hixon Smith in that corner smooth little slot slide in there foron Smith fantastic try for Hong Kong China yeah really good linking play but that check nibble down the sideline he’s got electric feet the veteran really well well hion Smith there to the spoils on the end Jack Neville for me has just always been one of those magic maker players like he just gets that spark going he creates these moments for the players around him and James Sawyer has been involved with the Hong Kong sevens circuit he’s looking really good with ball in hand in that open space very comfortable finds hon Smith who’s all smiles down here at his home club Hong Kong Football Club Tommy Hill another opportunity at the post this one as wide out as you can get going to have a zoomed up shot [Music] here himself good strike and unfortunately just Wayward there for Tommy Hill brings the score to 52 Hong Kong China plays United Arab Emirates five in the last couple of minutes is the UAE team slowly come back to halfway to get things under way again looking to put on a last DCH effort here for the fans yeah the win might be Out Of Reach but you can certainly have the last laugh definitely as they look to go short try to regain possession here Jamie P Flying up into that one unfortunately just knocking that on so a good kickoff for UAE giving them an opportunity here right on the Hong Kong China 40 m mark one last roll of the dice you think Kim oh absolutely they’re going for the scram they have had some really good moments they’ve got some great players going to give it all you’ve got 90 seconds left on the clock unload the tank throw everything at them let’s see what this UAE team has got these final minutes here simple there with the ball set gets it in good feed lots of pressure from Hong Kong China there from Hong Kong China they get the ball away and UAE finding a lot of space in the outside and the footwork is excellent com in looking to go quickly banging it up in the Midfield massive Collision there from Tyler mcnut building good phases here the UAE anyway he look to get the ball out over the ball and is that the debut J getting the piler arguably the smallest man on the field they can’t move him and that’s it that’s all she wrote Hong Kong China proving the victors here at Hong Kong Football Club Stadium 52 to5 excellent outing here in The Opening match of the rug Championship I’m try to be pleased with that at their home ground as we mentioned this is a four team tournament there are home and away matches uh for all of these games this is the opening uh match got lots more fun to come we’ve got Korea versus Malaysia tomorrow next weekend se’s Malaysia via Hong Kong in kalala Luma um followed by UAE versus Korea in Dubai and the following weekend we’ll have UAE vers Malaysia in Dubai and Hong Kong China rugby vers Korea back here at the Hong Kong football club but if you’re wanting a bit more rugby fun we are not all done for today no we’ve got the Hong Kong China women’s team coming on at 6:30 local time and they are taking on Kazakhstan before we get to that though let’s just look at a fun few of these fun times from the second half Tommy Hill flying in there yeah plenty of action here from the second half as Axton Barrett gets it across Ross and this is s Brian putting away Paul LTA into the corner they sep any points himself this game he was there in the setup for so many and the rolling moall with the veteran Alex post on the back of it getting the spoils and finding that also familiar TR [Music] [Applause] line such great effort there from the Hong Kong turn of forwards and hecky nerves out in space Jackie N Things and Hixon Smith dotting down in the [Applause] corner and we are going to cross live across to the Hong Kong captain hich in a matter of minutes but right now just doing the celebrations as both teams cheer each other on in good rugby Spirit they battle for 80 minutes up front plenty of blood left on the field out here today with some massive collisions few injuries but all smiles and H shakes afterwards Hong Kong China cheering on their fans here ping them for their support plenty of action here today in pretty challenging conditions a lot of stoppages and set pieces but that didn’t stop these sides from playing some expensive rugby and scoring plenty of good tries certainly being fun for the [Music] fans we look to go do some interviews there we were excited to watch him play we weren’t disappointed it’s good to see this Hong Kong side going around and cheering on all these fans that brave this pretty awful weather to come out watch their home team here today tur their scrum cap in hand he had a fantastic debut I think that’s probably one of my favorite things of today is just seeing uh the debutants or the the kind of second third Gamers just really how um solid they fit into the team and how confident they looked yeah streamers they uh really did well definitely like the likes of Mato a to and yeah as you said Kil Chong how good for the final play and getting over the ball and winning the penalty for his team brilliant stuff we’re going to cross over to the Hong Kong China Captain Josh hich okay with me Josh captain of the Hong Kong team congratulations on the first win of the a rugby men’s championship thank you very much yeah it’s uh a hard fought game uh good to get back out on the pitch and especially at home the weather’s uh tropical but we’ve had a great turnout from our support it means everything to us and we can’t uh wait to get back here against Korea in a couple of weeks time so uh u e newly remoted team promoted team to the AJ rugby Championship how did you guys prepare for that game you haven’t played them for a while yeah we didn’t really know what to expect in all honesty the the focus has been solely on ourselves uh we knew that uh they’ throw the kitchen sink um and and what a pleasure it is to have them step up uh to this level and I know they’ll going to uh big things in this competition good stuff so they scored first and it took you about 16 minutes before you scored what was the message was there a different approach to you guys or how did you go around uh we we sort of knew like the a loose ball or an intercept they were going to thrive off that sort of stuff and uh that’s exactly what happened so we’re prepared we’re composed and if we knew we knew if we stick to our our processes and our structure that we’d be absolutely fine and uh that was the case in the end well done so Malaysia off next week you’re away uh how are you going to approach the week after a game like this I think this uh weather’s definitely prepared us for Malaysia uh it’s a extremely tricky place to go and get a win um so it’s going to be take stock of of where we’re at obviously lots to work on and uh and we go again well done so finally on the 22nd back at home for what could be a title decider good luck for the campaign and uh travel safe to Malaysia thanks very much we look forward to seeing everyone back here again cheers to all the support thank you great words there from the Hong Kong China Captain Josh hich and don’t go anywhere though we have more rugby for you here today here at Hong Kong Football Club Stadium with the final game of the women’s Asia rugby Championship if you’re watching that on YouTube make sure to switch over to the appropriate link and come join myself and Kim for all the coverage absolutely it’s kicking off for an hour we hope to see you then fantastic thanks so much for tuning in have a great evening [Music] bye for [Music] [Music]
2 Comments
saw a hell of a lot of asians on the field there!! lol
Good watch let’s go UAE