Asia Rugby Championship: Hong Kong coach says thrashing Malaysia ‘not the best preparation’
- City will host South Korea in championship decider in significant step up this month before July tour to South America
Andrew Douglas, the Hong Kong head coach, has called for a shake-up of the Asia Rugby Championship after his side crushed Malaysia 70-6 on Saturday.
The stormy Selangor weather that delayed kick-off by 30 minutes was a tougher opponent for Hong Kong than the hosts. Douglas made seven changes from the previous week’s cruise against United Arab Emirates, and there was a belated debut from the bench for former England under-20 hooker Calum Scott.
Douglas praised his players’ “outstanding effort and attitude”, but questioned whether steamrollering Malaysia, ranked 49 in the world to Hong Kong’s 24, was sufficient preparation for an ARC decider against South Korea in a fortnight, and subsequent three-match South America tour.
One solution for a more competitive ARC, Douglas said, would be to include a Japan ‘A’ team.
“It would be beneficial to play against a team of that level,” the Kiwi said. “[Asia Rugby could] start discussions with the Japan rugby union to see if they would be keen for their emerging players to play Test matches.
“I don’t want to be condescending or arrogant, but [playing Malaysia] is not the best preparation for [South Korea and South America]. Malaysia are great hosts, and try very hard, but we are trying to lift Hong Kong rugby.
“Korea are strong, so it is a case of which nations want to take rugby forward, and which are happy going as they are.”
Douglas had been frustrated with a slightly disjointed display in the 52-5 win over UAE seven days earlier, but the seven personnel changes for Malaysia were all pre-planned.
“To keep improving our depth, players have to play, and push, and be competitive,” he said. “It was not difficult to motivate them. They love playing for Hong Kong.
“Everyone wants to start against South Korea, and travel to South America.”
Hong Kong do not have England-based Matt Worley for the ARC, with club team Bedford refusing to release the wing outside an international window. He will be available for July’s games against Chile, Paraguay and Brazil.
Alex Post, of English National League 1 team Richmond, did start against Malaysia, and scored the first of his team’s 10 tries, all converted by Paul Altier.
Scott, who joined League 1 Rams from financially beleaguered London Irish last summer, qualifies for Hong Kong through his father.
A hamstring injury prevented a planned debut against Germany in November. The 21-year-old finally got his crack as a replacement on Saturday, scoring a try before creating another for Jamie Pincott.
“He is a very handy player,” Douglas said.
South Korea, 30th in the global standings, will pose a much sterner test at Hong Kong Football Club on June 22.
“The set piece will be important, Korea enjoy the scrum and line-out,” Douglas said. “We have to try to create a good tempo, and match them physically.”
