Excitedly proclaims Hrstich, beaming with immense pride, as Hong Kong's men create history in the Rugby World Cup
In a momentous achievement, Hong Kong's national rugby team has qualified for the Rugby World Cup for the first time in their history. The historic milestone was reached in July 2025, following a commanding 70-22 victory over South Korea during the 2025 Asia Rugby Emirates Men's Championship in Incheon, South Korea [1][3][4].
The qualification journey for Hong Kong has been a tale of near misses and relentless determination. Prior to 2025, the team had participated in two Final Qualification Tournaments for the 2019 World Cup but narrowly missed out on a spot [5]. However, their consistent regional dominance culminated in the decisive win over South Korea, securing them the automatic qualification for the 2027 World Cup in Australia. Hong Kong is now the second Asian team to qualify for a men's Rugby World Cup, after Japan [4].
Captain Josh Hrstich led the team during the 2025 qualifying campaign, earning praise for his leadership and performance. He scored two tries in the crucial game against South Korea, while Alex Post, another key player, also scored two tries [1]. The team's success was a result of a balanced effort, with James Sawyer, Luke van der Smit, Matt Worley, Paul Altier, Harry Sayers, and Max Denmark also crossing the line for Hong Kong [1].
The breakthrough game was characterised by a dominant performance from the forwards, with Hong Kong leading by 39 points at halftime and scoring a total of six tries from the pack [1]. A notable previous close call was a narrow 23-21 win over South Korea three years prior, decided by Gregor McNeish’s last kick [1].
The qualification campaign involved extensive preparation, including tours to South America (Chile, Paraguay, Brazil), hosting international teams, and training camps in Australia and Japan [2]. This strategic planning is expected to significantly raise rugby’s profile in Hong Kong, inspiring new players and fans [2]. The coaching staff, led by Andrew Douglas, is now focused on building a strong program over the next two years to compete effectively at the 2027 World Cup [2].
This historic qualification marks a landmark moment for Asian rugby outside Japan. Hong Kong now looks forward to competing on the world stage in Australia in 2027 [1][2][4][5].
The historic achievement has sparked interest in football, as Captain Josh Hrstich, inspired by his success in rugby, has expressed his ambition to lead Hong Kong's national football team in the future. Fueled by their relentless determination and a balanced team effort, Hong Kong's football squad might face South Korea in a fierce football match, mirroring the unforgettable rugby game of 2025.
