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HONG KONG CHINA RUGBY WELCOME CONFIRMATION OF A DIRECT RUGBY WORLD CUP QUALIFICATION SPOT FOR MEN'S ASIAN CHAMPIONS IN 2025
[Hong Kong, 14 August 2024]: As current Asia Rugby champions, Hong Kong China Rugby have welcomed World Rugby’s confirmation that the winner of the Asia Rugby Men’s Championship (ARMC) in 2025 will directly qualify for the Rugby World Cup 2027.
World Rugby today announced that the Asia Rugby regional championship will serve as a direct entry for the men’s Rugby World Cup, with that competition being extended to 24 teams starting from the next edition to be hosted by Australia in 2027.
The new format means that a direct qualification spot will be awarded to the winner of the 2025 Asia Rugby Championship. In June, Hong Kong China Rugby (HKCR) defended its Asia Rugby Championship mantle for a fifth successive time with victories over the UAE, Malaysia and Korea.
Hong Kong China Rugby Chairman Chris Brooke reflected on the significant opportunity that the announcement brings:
“HKCR welcomes World Rugby’s confirmation of direct qualification to the 2027 RWC for the winner of next year’s ARC. Competing at a men’s Rugby World Cup has long been an ambition for Hong Kong China, and today marks a huge opportunity for all Asian teams.”
With a further Rugby World Cup qualification route also open for the runners-up in the 2025 ARMC, Hong Kong China Rugby is embarking on an intensive preparation period should the squad qualify for a historic Rugby World Cup debut.
Hong Kong China Rugby CEO James Farndon commented on the team’s recent progress:
“Hong Kong China Rugby is proud to have recently moved up to 23 in the world rankings and will continue to work closely with World Rugby to optimally plan for the challenges ahead. This includes touring South America earlier this summer for test matches against Brazil, Chile and Paraguay.”
Hong Kong China Rugby’s General Manager of Performance, Jo Hull, highlighted what will be a critical year ahead for the representative 15s teams:
“Having made it to the final repechage stage in each of the last three Rugby World Cup qualification cycles, today’s announcement presents our men’s 15s programme with its best opportunity yet to compete at the very highest level of international rugby. Our women’s 15s are also preparing for their chance to qualify for their second Rugby World Cup next summer [having competed at the Rugby World Cup 2017] as they head to the WXV3 tournament in Dubai later this year.”
Hong Kong China Men’s 15s captain Joshua Hrstich talked of the focus that the playing group must now show to compete at the top level:
“The boys are proud of our progress in winning the Asia Rugby Championship and in some great battles on our tour to South America. Reaching a Rugby World Cup would be a dream come true for everyone involved and we will be working as hard as we can for the next year to reach that goal.”
Rambo Leung Yung-kit, the first Chinese player to be capped in 15s in 1993, was excited for the game of rugby in Asia following the announcement.
“Direct qualification for Asia’s champions in 2025 gives players across the region a clear and exciting goal, and greater representation for Asian rugby at the World Cup can help to inspire more Chinese children to take up the game,” said the former hooker Leung, affectionately known simply as Rambo in local rugby circles.
Hong Kong China Men’s 15s will next be in action during November’s international test window, with more details to follow.
ADDITIONAL NOTES (FROM WORLD RUGBY)
