Hong Kong China, ranked 24th in the world, will make their Rugby World Cup debut next year, facing both Australia and the All Blacks in Pool A after the tournament's expansion to 24 teams. The Asian qualifiers are set to meet the Wallabies in the opening match of the competition, which kicks off on 1 October 2027 in Perth.
Players used to watching as fans
Full-back Paul Altier, who was in a London pub watching New Zealand play South Africa earlier this month, admitted the squad is more accustomed to spectating. "We were joking about how I should be taking notes and analysing the All Blacks," he said. "We've got a few South Africans and Kiwis in our squad ... we're more used to watching it as fans."
Altier kicked a last-gasp penalty to help Hong Kong beat Uruguay 42-40 in Montevideo in July. His recent league rugby experience came in last season's Championship with Richmond, where hooker Alexander Post has also been a long-time player. Post won a Varsity Match with Oxford University and described the prospect of facing Australia in the opening game as a childhood dream.
Preparations and fixtures
Hong Kong China Rugby has professionally contracted Post, a financial analyst, and the rest of the cosmopolitan squad. They are scheduled to play Nations Cup games in Europe against the United States and Canada in November, followed by a home fixture against Tonga. A tour to Australia is planned for February, with potential matches against Super Rugby reserve teams and the national U20 side.
Toby Booth has returned as lineout and defence coach alongside head coach Andrew Douglas. Altier, who also played for Chambéry in France, said the level of Hong Kong rugby is comparable to a top-four Championship side. "I don't think the Champ gets the credit it deserves ... it's a very competitive league," he said, adding that the team is "happy to take that challenge on" against the All Blacks and Australia.
Minnows embrace the challenge
Post dismissed the idea that Hong Kong should be written off. "I say, 'Bring it on,'" he said. "I'm sure people have written us off and I've no problem with that. But I bet every single rugby player you ask would take your hand off to play against the All Blacks or open the World Cup."
He also highlighted the value of playing stronger opposition, noting that wins by 70 or 90 points against Malaysia or Korea are "not ideal" for development. "There's definitely scope to help the game flourish in Asia, especially in Hong Kong," he added. As the team awaits the biggest challenge of their lives, the goal, according to Altier, is to become "people's second team to support."
