Hong Kong’s National U20s men’s rugby side departs today for the 2018 World Rugby U20 Trophy in Bucharest, Romania (23 August – 11 September).  

The Hong Kong Rugby Union’s (HKRU) burgeoning age grade talent has been busy of late with the men’s U20 sevens winning their fifth straight Asia Rugby title two weeks ago. Ten of that 12-man squad will front up in Romania, with Henry Poon and Thaddeus Summers the only absentees.  

On their fifth appearance in the tournament, Hong Kong have been handed a challenging draw - grouped in Pool A of the eight-team tournament alongside Samoa, relegated from last season’s Tier I U20s World Championship, Namibia and hosts Romania – all teams renowned for their physicality.  

“We know what’s coming, there are no surprises there,” said Hong Kong U20s coach and Elite Player Development Manager at the HKRU, Stephen Dowse.

“We’re working hard as a unit to put together a game plan to counter that physical approach but ultimately, it is about testing ourselves against the best and we don’t fear any of those sides,” he added.

Hong Kong’s build-up has been hampered by the timing of the tournament, which comes on the heels of the U20 Sevens and the outset of both school and university terms.

“It’s probably the worst timing it can be. It’s in the school term and about a month before HSC exams. It’s a frustrating time to have it. The build-up has been complicated as well, as we’ve had to manage the boys workload carefully considering they’ve been preparing for both sevens and fifteens,” Dowse added.

Dowse is proud of the team’s success at sevens level with five straight Asian titles to their credit.

“The importance of that competition is huge in terms of access to the HKSI for the boys who play in it and the funding from the SI as well, so it was an important result. The reality though is that the World Trophy is another step up completely.

“We go into every game wanting to win, but crucially for me, it is about how the guys are performing, how they cope under the intensity and pressurized environment. And can they demonstrate the core skills and play to a structure in that environment? Because we still aren’t exposed to that enough.”

With job done on the Sevens front, the team is now turning its full attention to fifteens.

“Basically all of the sevens squad is involved in the U20 Trophy as we don’t have the luxury, yet, of having two distinct squads, but I do think we’re getting closer. For the last two weeks we have been full-on in the programme to get the boys up to speed and get everyone on the same page,” said Dowse.

“At this level, selection and development is now an ongoing process year-round with the [Asia Rugby] U19s Championships in December, which is preceded by our Age Grade programmes, then the U20s Sevens and World Trophy,” Dowse said.

The increasing depth (and experience) at Age Grade level is coming in handy for Dowse, as the squad has an even younger feel to it then normal because of the timing of this year’s competition.

“There are very few overseas players in the squad because of the timing, which is beyond our control, but fortunately we now have the same calibre of players, but at a younger age, in Hong Kong to draw upon.”

“In my first squad, almost half of the team was overseas based. This year, it’s eight out of 26,” he said.

The declining reliance on overseas based players at age grade level is part of a promising new trend in Hong Kong Rugby with resources being focused on players committed to staying and playing in the SAR.

Dowse pointed to players like centre Jack Abbott, who has committed to attending Hong Kong Baptist University on a full scholarship programme.

“We forget how young Jack is, but he has still got two more World Trophy tournaments in him. Having players like this available, who still have another year or two of eligibility at U20s level but have already played in one or two tournaments, is really pleasing.”

The recent call-up of numerous U20s players into the senior Hong Kong ranks is also impacting planning, but is the ultimate indicator of the program’s success for Dowse.

“Guys like Liam, Max, Marcus Ramage are all out of the squad this year.  If players like that are pulled up it is a sign of success for the programme.  We just need to continue to be flexible and focused on up-skilling the next player up and getting them opportunities and exposure,” Dowse said.

Dowse will rely on his returning senior squad members to help lead the group.  

“We’re on our fifth world trophy now and are fortunate to have a number of players that have an understanding of going overseas and competing at this level.” 

“We have a core of leaders who will drive that Hong Kong way for us. Mark Coebergh is back as captain for his last tournament and Paul Altier [who earned his first senior XVs cap for Hong Kong this season] has progressed enormously since joining the SI programme.” 

“There are a lot of senior pros now, if you will, guys like Alex Nesbit, who has an old head on young shoulders.”

Joining Coebergh as co-captain is Sam Tsoi Kin-san, who with one year of eligibility remaining will be able to understudy Coebergh in Romania.

“I’ve been hugely impressed with Sam. He leads by example; he doesn't’ say a lot but when he does everyone listens. He puts his body where it hurts and has brought the group together.” 

Dowse also pointed to hooker Callum Tam, prop Mikkel Christensen and backs Sam Down and Shiven Dukhande as amongst those to watch on tour.

“There is a good mix in the squad, but part of the fun of this competition is to see who will surprise us in the heat of battle and show that they’re ready to break out at this level,” said Dowse.

While wins have been few and far between at this level, the objectives are farther reaching.

“It is not just about wins and losses. It is about developing players. Our goals are more long-term and fluid, because it is about what is best for the individual player,” said Dowse.

“The true outcomes are seen only in the following seasons. I want these guys to come back from the Trophy and go on to play Premiership Rugby; I want them to not just make the HKSI and ERP Programmes, but to be better prepared when they arrive to ensure that they remain there.

“If you’re good enough, you’re old enough, really, and we have shown that time and time again,” he said.

Hong Kong World Rugby U20 Trophy Squad

Jack ABBOTT, Paul ALTIER, Zachary BALDWIN, Jake BARLOW, CHAU Siu-fung, Mikkel CHRISTENSEN, Hugo DARKE CHRISTOPHER, Mark COEBERGH (co-captain), Liam DOHERTY, Samuel DOWN, Oliver DUFFY, Shiven DUHKANDE, James GOSTICK, Daniel HOOD, Takamasa HOSHIYAMA, Pat LAIDLER, Christopher LAW, Alex NISBET, Oliver OVERMAN, Tanadol RAE-HOWARD, Gregor RAMAGE, James RIVERS, Callum TAM, TANG Man-chun, Sam TSOI Kin-san (co-captain), Matthew WYATT