Hong Kong are on the verge of making history, with the dream of qualifying for a first-ever Rugby World Cup being a close reality.
They travel to Incheon on Saturday and the equation is simple, win against South Korea and they’ll be heading Down Under in 2027 for an inaugural World Cup appearance.
They will follow in the footsteps of the women’s national side who did so back in 2017 in Ireland.
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However, the men’s national side find themselves in this golden position after dominating the Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Championship. Triumphs against the United Arab Emirates (43-10) and Sri Lanka (78-7) see them as huge favourites in their final match of the championship against South Korea.
One point worth noting is that South Korea sit only three points behind them despite losing to the UAE and narrowly defeating Sri Lanka in Colombo. But if Hong Kong suffer a shock defeat, then South Korea could qualify instead.
This is because World Rugby expanded the global tournament to 24 teams, which assigned Asia with an extra qualifying position. If Hong Kong were to fall short on Saturday, that defeat would not be curtains on their World Cup hopes.
It would actually see them go down a familiar route which they’ve grown accustomed to over past qualifying campaigns. 2018 in Marseille and 2022 in Dubai, were the times they were close but blew their chances on both occasions with losses against Germany, Canada seven years ago, and Portugal and the United States just three years ago.
Hong Kong are guaranteed a second-place, as the UAE sit on five points. Whilst for South Korea if they lose and UAE win it can see them drop to third- place. Which as already stated would not see either’s chances of qualifying for the World Cup came to an end.
This year’s Asia Rugby Men’s Championship runners-up will take part in an Asia/Africa Play-Off against the second-best team in the Rugby Africa Men’s Cup 2025 (date TBD).
The winner of that match then progresses to the Final Qualification Tournament in Dubai, UAE, from 8-18 November. This four-team, round-robin format will reward the winners with the final place at the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027.
Yes you’ve got New Zealand against France, Waratahs taking on the British Irish Lions but Saturday’s match at Namdong Asiad Rugby Stadium may be the pick of the bunch. The question now is whether Hong Kong can create history or whether it’ll be heartbreak yet again.
