Hong Kong China stun Japan Select XV 33-29 to split series after 80-0 humiliation

Hong Kong China’s men’s team recorded one of Asian rugby’s more unlikely results on tour in Fukuoka, defeating a Japan Select XV 33-29 just seven days after losing to the same opposition 80-0. The Asian champions split the two-match series 1-1 in a result that will provide significant confidence ahead of their Rugby World Cup debut in Australia next year.

The turnaround looked far from certain in the opening quarter, when Hong Kong China conceded two tries and appeared set for another difficult afternoon. Charles Higson-Smith, one of several new additions to the squad, changed the mood by crossing for the visitors’ first try of the tour in the 25th minute. Tom Hill added another before the break, with Paul Altier’s conversion giving Hong Kong China a 12-10 half-time lead.

The second half was a tightly contested affair with the lead changing hands repeatedly. Captain Josh Hrstich, who had been sent to the sin-bin earlier in the half, made immediate amends by scoring on his return to the field. Late tries from Tyler McNutt and Harry Sayers then sealed the win and completed the remarkable comeback.

“It was big for us to get the win at the last minute like that against another quality Japan Select side,” Hrstich said afterwards. “We always learn a lot when we are away in high-pressure, high-performance environments like this, and this past week has been no different. Today was a performance we can build off as we head into the Nations Cup.”

Hong Kong China will now turn their attention to the Nations Cup, where they open their campaign against Samoa in Santiago on 4 July, before facing Chile on 11 July and Uruguay on 18 July.