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Paul McNamara

Andrew Douglas said his appointment as women’s head coach underlined Hong Kong’s desire to achieve 2025 Rugby World Cup qualification, and potentially transform the sport in the city.
The New Zealander, who led Hong Kong’s men to 2024 Asia Rugby Championship success, said he was overseeing a harmonious camp, after replacing Royce Chan Leong-sze at the helm.
Chan, who has been appointed programme lead, guided Hong Kong to the six-team WXV3 competition in Dubai, beginning this month, where two 2025 World Cup spots are up for grabs.
And Douglas said Chan had “not been sidelined” and the pair shared a “solid relationship”.
The reshuffle stemmed from Hong Kong wanting to arm themselves with all available ammunition for their World Cup quest.

“Royce has a great relationship with the players, [the head coach change] is just about me bringing a bit more technical expertise and getting the best from the younger coaches,” said Douglas, who remains in charge of the men’s team.
“We are trying to make the best of our resources. Royce is still heavily involved, having us both there brings double the experience. There are two young coaches [Sam Beard and Lewis Wilson], so having a bit more grey hair [on the coaching staff] helps keep a balance.
“This shows the importance Hong Kong is placing on this campaign. We want to put our best foot forward and get our team to the World Cup.”
Chan was a member of the only Hong Kong team of either gender to go to a Rugby World Cup, in 2017, when the female game remained relatively squeezed to the margins.
It has begun emerging from the shadows of the male sport, however, and the final of the most recent World Cup, two years ago in New Zealand, attracted a world record 42,579 spectators.
That mark was shattered the following year, when 58,498 fans watched England play France in a Six Nations Game. World Cup organisers are targeting an 80,000 sell-out for next year’s Twickenham final. Douglas is eager for Hong Kong to join the party.
“A big part of my role is to grow the game and get young people who are starting their sporting journeys excited about rugby,” Douglas said. “If Hong Kong are on the world stage, we can do that.
“You can market something based on a World Cup, then you can push [rugby] through the schools and the clubs. Seeing our players on TV and social media will increase the fan base, and grow numbers playing rugby.”

Douglas believes his new charges deserve a World Cup shot after the sweat and tears invested in preparing for the challenge of their sporting lives in Dubai.
Hong Kong flew to the United Arab Emirates on Sunday in advance of a warm-up clash with Samoa. The real business begins against Fiji on September 28, with Madagascar and Netherlands set to provide uncompromising opposition over the subsequent fortnight.
“We’ve made the players work hard, because we have three games in three weeks, in 40-degree heat, along with training” Douglas said. “That’s a big ask for any team, let alone players who also work full-time … there’s been a bit of pain, but in a good way.
“They’ve responded really well, in terms of developing themselves, physically and mentally, and coming together as a group.”
Douglas said he did not seek out advice about coaching women, but acknowledged that when he “tells male players what I want them to do, they do it”.
“The women want a bit more rationale,” Douglas added. “I probably do explain myself more when I’m coaching women. I haven’t got all the answers, though. You reach a stage … where you’re happy to say, ‘I don’t know’.
“As a young coach, sometimes you don’t want to appear vulnerable, or like you don’t know what you’re doing. It’s OK to say, ‘I don’t know’, because that is what I want my players to say if they’re not understanding something. We have trust among both squads and I am transparent about why we do things.”


Hong Kong rugby sevens captain James Christie reveals ambitious world and Olympic goals

Coach urges Asia Rugby to step up player welfare efforts as Hong Kong World Cup bid begins

Coach Andy Vilk tells Hong Kong women subs to grab their chance as 7s series hits Hangzhou

Head coach switch designed to maximise Hong Kong ammunition for Rugby World Cup quest

Hong Kong Rugby Union

Pun Wai-yan will captain Hong Kong in their bid to achieve World Cup qualification. Photo: HKCR

Hong Kong head coach Andrew Douglas (centre) will still take charge of the men’s team as well. Photo: HKCR

Wan Tsz-yau and her Hong Kong teammates have been preparing hard for three formidable encounters in Dubai. Photo: HKCR

Asia Rugby Sevens Series: ‘ruthless’ Hong Kong men lift cup, women proud after final loss

Hong Kong lift the men’s cup after the first leg in South Korea. Photo: Hong Kong China Rugby

Sabay Lynam of Hong Kong carries the ball during Sunday’s final. Photo: Hong Kong China Rugby

Asia Rugby Sevens Series: Hong Kong men storm into semi-finals, women make dramatic escape

Max Denmark was in try-scoring form for Hong Kong on Saturday. Photo: KLC fotos for World Rugby

Grace Hood (third from left) waits to make her Hong Kong debut. Photo: Asia Rugby

Coach Jevon Groves salutes outgoing captain Max Woodward for Hong Kong 7s ‘culture change’

‘Role model’ Max Woodward is quitting the Hong Kong sevens team following a stellar career. Photo: Handout.

‘Calm and controlled’ James Christie (right) will begin his captaincy reign in South Korea this weekend. Photo: Elson Li.

Seb Brien would have been Hong Kong co-captain but for a serious knee injury. Photo: Yik Yeung-man.

Hong Kong name 30-strong squad for WXV3, with women chasing return to Rugby World Cup

Hong Kong fly-half Georgia Rivers (left) is tackled by Kazhakstan’s Mariya Grishina during their Asia Rugby Championship game in June. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Sport

Rugby

Fifteens

International Rugby

Andrew Douglas will lead Hong Kong in WXV3 tournament, where games against Fiji, Madagascar and Netherlands will determine World Cup fate


Andrew Douglas will lead Hong Kong in WXV3 tournament, where games against Fiji, Madagascar and Netherlands will determine World Cup fate.


Hong Kong International Test Rugby

Women’s Rugby