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Hong Kong China Rugby has unveiled their full squad to train and travel to Dubai for the upcoming WXV tournament in September.
Training is in full swing, with the team immersed in camps and training sessions to build upon an already solid foundation. The squad is gaining in experience, with only three potential debutants in the group. Hong Kong Football Club back Lucia Bolton returns from a stint in New Zealand targeting her first cap for Hong Kong China, while 7s academy star Haruka Uematsu and Kowloon forward Morena Grierson are in line to debut for XVs as well.
Attack and backs coach Sam Beard is feeling positive about the position his group is in:
“Our backline is dangerous with a good mixture of experience and x-factor. Through our training with the Brumbies Super Rugby women and the recent ARC campaign, the team has spent a lot of time together and we are starting to see the benefits of that. We have a huge opportunity up for grabs at the WXV and it’s going to be exciting to see what this group can achieve.”
Forwards coach Lewis Wilson, who has recently returned from coaching Hong Kong China at the U20s Trophy in Scotland, is similarly enthusiastic:
“The forwards are looking good – a great blend of youth and experience, with a couple of new faces putting their hands up for this campaign. The group have come together really well and are working hard. We know we have a big challenge ahead of us, but the girls are hungry for a result and determined to show what Hong Kong has to offer on the world stage.”
With the top two teams from WXV3 (outside of Fiji) up for RWC 2025 qualification, Societe Generale Valley hooker Tanya Dhar is excited at what’s to come:
“Training has been challenging, we’ve been working hard to get ourselves conditioned and ready for the physicality we’ll face at the WXV. I am really excited to play there because this gives us the opportunity to qualify for a Rugby World Cup again. It would be so special to achieve that for our home and hopefully inspire more girls to take up rugby in Hong Kong.”
At this stage, all Hong Kong China matches will be available to view on RugbyPass TV, pending final confirmation from World Rugby. All WXV3 fixtures are FREE for fans to attend in person – you can simply arrive on the day without the need to prepurchase a ticket.
Hong Kong China WXV3 Fixtures: The Sevens Stadium, Pitch 2, Dubai
Hong Kong China WXV Full Squad:
Front Row: LAU Nga Wun, TSANG Hoi Laam, Megan RICHARDSON, Kea HEREWINI, LEE Ka Shun, Tanya DHAR, GOT Yuei-Tein Fion, LEUNG Choi See; Second Row: Chloe BALTAZAR, Morena GRIERSON*, Roshini TURNER, CHOW Mei Nam; Back Row: CHAN Tsz Ching, Micyala BALTAZAR, PUN Wai Yan, Shanna FORREST, SO Karen Hoi Ting; Scrum-halves: AU King To, HO Jessica Wai On, WAN Tsz Yau; Fly-halves: Georgia RIVERS, FUNG Hoi Ching; Centres:QIAN Jiayu, Natasha OLSON-THORNE, Gabriella RIVERS, Lucia BOLTON*; Outside Backs: CHONG Ka Yan, Zoe SMITH, Sabay LYNAM, UEMATSU Haruka*
*Potential Debut
Team Management:
Royce CHAN - Programme Lead
Andrew DOUGLAS - Head Coach
Samuel BEARD - Assistant Coach
Lewis WILSON - Assistant Coach
Ian BONNET - S&C Coach
Peter NUGENT - S&C Coach
Sophie RAINE - Physiotherapist
Jonny MOSES - Physiotherapist
Jake MARTIN - Analyst
Dora KWOK - Team Manager
