Rugby World Cup: Hong Kong coach challenges side to ‘give a performance’ against Kenya with only pride at stake
- Lewis Evans hopes to leave the United Arab Emirates with some momentum as he plans for the future
- Head coach admits to ‘disappointment’ after defeats by USA and Portugal, ahead of last appearance at Sevens Stadium
Hong Kong wrap up their Rugby World Cup qualifying campaign in Dubai on Friday with a game against Kenya that has little more than pride at stake.
Defeats at the hands of Portugal and the USA, two sides who will battle it out in the day’s second game for the right to play in France next year, ended Hong Kong’s competitive interest in the competition, but that does not render the game meaningless by any stretch.
Leaving the United Arab Emirates with a win would give Lewis Evans and his coaching staff some momentum as they plan for the future, and he has challenged his side to “give a performance” in their last appearance at The Sevens Stadium.
“Obviously there is some disappointment, we certainly believed we were capable of challenging these teams,” Evans said. “Full credit to Portugal and USA, they both played very well. Our job now is to beat Kenya, we’ve had two games to reflect on our performances and also we’ve had two games to prepare for Kenya.
“As long as we play our game we’ll be successful, and the biggest thing, and I’ve challenged all the boys, is to give a performance and the result will come.”
As with the USA game, Evans has made some changes to his starting line-up and the front row gets a reshuffle, with Ashton Hyde and Johnnie McCormick-Houston starting at loose-head and hooker instead of Alexander Post, who misses out entirely, and Ben Higgins, who is named among the replacements.
Zac Cinnamond, who Evans said had done “an outstanding job” at tight-head keeps his spot, while Jak Lam comes onto the bench and will make his debut for Hong Kong.
There is a change too in the second row, with Kyle Sullivan making his first start as a replacement for James Cunningham at lock. Meanwhile, Jamie Pincott and Faizal Solomona both miss out entirely, with Keelan Chapman and Sam Tsoi, who were called up as injury cover, come into the 23-man squad.
“We’ve made a few changes to the squad, but we’re confident that it’s a team that can go out and beat Kenya,” Evans said. “Those guys who are performing well and have managed to get through the training as well have been rewarded.”
In the backs, the only change to the starting line-up sees Guy Spanton start on the left wing, while Fong Kit-fung, who the head coach said had been unlucky to miss out on a place in the initial squad for the tournament, is expected to make his debut off the bench.
Evans has resisted the temptation to tinker with his centres, although said it had been a surprise that Tommy Hill’s hamstring had lasted for three full games.
“There is a case of mixing things up and keeping it fresh as well,” Evans said. “But certain combinations, like the centre partnership, we’re not going to disrupt that.
“Again, we’re looking forward to seeing those guys come off the bench, hopefully it won’t be a one-point nail bitter.”
Hong Kong: 15-Nathan De Thierry; 14-Matt Worley, 13- Jack Neville, 12-Tommy Hill, 11-Guy Spanton; 10-Gregor McNeish, 9-Bryn Phillips. 1-Ashton Hyde, 2-Johnnie McCormick-Houston, 3-Zac Cinnamond, 4-Mark Prior, 5-Kyle Sullivan, 6-James Hrstich, 7-Gregor Ramage, 8-Luke van der Smit.
Replacements: 16-Jak Lam, 17-Ben Higgins, 18-Keelan Chapman, 19-James Cunningham, 20-Sam Tsoi, 21-Jack Coombes, 22-Nik Cumming, 23-Fong Kit-fung.
