Boots and all | Future looks bright as U20s triumph with hard work and Stiles
He is the smallest player on the park and plays at fullback, but Hugo Stiles is a giant in deeds and leads from the front – both attributes which helped the Hong Kong representative under-20 team qualify for next year’s Junior World Rugby Trophy in Portugal.
He is the smallest player on the park and plays at fullback, but Hugo Stiles is a giant in deeds and leads from the front – both attributes which helped the Hong Kong representative under-20 team qualify for next year’s IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy in Portugal.
Stiles is one of a growing band of youngsters who are opting to put rugby first before a career, a significant move which is bound to help the game in Hong Kong.
Captain of the under-20 squad, Stiles is part of the Hong Kong Sports Institute rugby sevens programme along with teammates Liam Owens, Calvin Hunter, Richie Lewis and Alex Post.
My best moment was kicking the ball into touch and hearing the final whistle blow against South Korea
Being a full-time athlete is already producing results. The class of 2014 is the first Hong Kong under-20 team to qualify in their own right for the JWRT, or World Rugby Under 20 Trophy as the second-tier event is now known and where the winner qualifies for the top-tier Junior World Under 20 Championship.
It is no mean feat going to Colombo and emerging unbeaten from three matches to secure number one spot in Asia.
Stiles captured that winning feeling when he said: “My best moment was kicking the ball into touch and hearing the final whistle blow against South Korea.”
The character and spirit of this side bodes well for the future as we look to this generation of home-grown players.
