Hong Kong ready to finally make Rugby World Cup dream a reality, says skipper Josh Hrstich
There is no hiding what is at stake. Win, and they qualify for the 2027 World Cup in Australia, and captain Josh Hrstich said it was something he had been dreaming about for a long time.
The 35-year-old called the prospect of reaching the pinnacle of the sport 'a dream come true' and said it was 'really hard to put into words' what it meant.
'I dream about it all the time … working really hard to make sure it can become a reality, and the guys are all doing the same thing,' he said.
He is not the only one dreaming, and some have been at it for longer. Alex Post, the hooker, made his debut for the team against Kenya in 2016 and will earn his 23rd cap in Incheon, while centre Ben Axten-Burrett will claim his 22nd.
Head coach Andrew Douglas addresses the Hong squad at training in Incheon. Photo: Patrick Leung
Both know what it is like to miss out, having been members of the squads that fell short at global qualifiers in 2019 and 2023.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
10 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
East Asian Football Championship: Hong Kong boss Westwood out ‘to make history' against China
Ashley Westwood said Hong Kong wanted 'to make history' when they tackle China in Seoul on Tuesday. The city team last beat their mainland rivals in a competitive fixture 40 years ago, while they have lost all four previous East Asian Football Championship clashes between the teams by an aggregate score of 8-1. Hong Kong have already lost their opening two matches in South Korea, after arriving at the tournament on a 10-match unbeaten run, but supporters have long identified the closing fixture as a golden opportunity for their side to exploit vulnerable opponents. 'We want to make history, but anyone who knows anything about me knows I want to win every game I play … whether it's China, Chinese Taipei, Brazil, France, or England, I don't care,' Westwood said. 'I understand that the fans want and need to win, but I'm always like that.' Hong Kong won a friendly against China last year, for only their third success in 23 meetings.
South China Morning Post
13 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
East Asian Football Championship: Hong Kong have nothing to fear from China, Chan says
Philip Chan Siu-kwan fanned the flames ahead of Hong Kong's clash with China on Tuesday, saying the city had nothing to fear from opponents who were hardly 'Brazil or Argentina'. The midfielder, who returned from a three-month injury lay-off as a late substitute in Friday's 2-0 defeat by South Korea in the East Asian Football Championship, was in the Hong Kong team that beat China 2-1 in a friendly 18 months ago. While China tumbled out of World Cup qualifying contention last month, they are ranked 94th in the world, 53 places higher than Hong Kong. The teams are fighting to avoid finishing last in the tournament, after both were beaten by Japan and the hosts in their opening two games in Seoul. 'There is so much rivalry,' Chan said. 'China's football development is at a more advanced level than ours. 'They're very competitive, definitely higher than us in terms of ranking and ability. But we have the heart and desire … we've done great things over the past year or two, we've beaten them before, so why not [do it again]? With the standard of players we have, anything is possible.'
South China Morning Post
13 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Matthew Poon targets maiden Tony Cruz Award: ‘We can all be proud of our efforts'
The 31-year-old holds a slender one-win lead over Matthew Chadwick in the race to be leading local rider Matthew Poon Ming-fai 'can't wait' for Wednesday night as he bids to hold off Matthew Chadwick and Derek Leung Ka-chun and win his first Tony Cruz Award at Happy Valley's season closer. The 31-year-old sits on the 36-win mark for the campaign, one clear of Chadwick and a further victory ahead of Leung in pursuit of his maiden local riders' premiership. After he fired a blank at Sha Tin on Sunday and both his rivals took advantage and drew one win closer, Poon sits in a precarious position heading into the final meeting of the season at Happy Valley. He is not feeling the pressure, however, and is looking forward to doing the locals proud in what should be a rousing finish to the campaign. 'I think it's a really good competition and a good motivator for all of us, too,' said Poon. 'We all try to get the best results that we can, so I think Wednesday will be a great night and I can't wait. 'I think that whatever the result, we can all be proud of our efforts and do the local riders proud, too.' Poon's biggest chance of a winner at the city circuit is the Francis Lui Kin-wai-trained Copartner Fleet in the Class Three Sun Jewellery Handicap (1,200m). The Nicconi galloper went agonisingly close on debut at Sha Tin in May when sent off the $1.8 favourite but made no mistake a month later, winning the Class Four Beas River Handicap (1,200m). He made all in grand style that day and although stall nine is not ideal on Happy Valley debut, Poon is hopeful of a big run from his mount. Domination at Sha Tin! 😤 Copartner Fleet gets off the mark in emphatic style and shapes as a 3YO with a big future racing in Hong Kong... @zpurton #SummerSeries | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) June 28, 2025 'He's only had the two runs and has a bit of a wide draw, but he has a light weight and has some gate speed to overcome it,' said Poon. 'This is tougher than last time, but I hope he can be OK with the step up to Class Three.' Poon will also reunite with Leslie in the Class Four Super Oasis Handicap (1,650m), a horse he finished second on at Sha Tin last time. That was on the dirt and he was drawn widest of all in gate 13, so it is easy to upgrade that effort and Poon is looking forward to pairing up with him again. 'I think he ran super last start – he had a wide draw but made up lots of ground behind the winner,' Poon said. 'Hopefully this time he can get a good position and I believe he can run well. 'He's won at the track before early in his career over 1,200m, but he is better now at 1,650m so I think Happy Valley will be OK for him.' Poon also rides Manfred Man Ka-leung-trained Happy Valley debutant Circuit Victory in the Class Four Fast Most Furious Handicap (1,200m). He has been kept exclusively to Sha Tin in 13 career starts and was a winner there three starts ago, before two near misses in subsequent starts. 'He has run well in his past two starts since his win – he doesn't have massive gate speed but hopefully a good draw will help put him in a good position. He just needs a bit of luck,' Poon said.
