Hong Kong made history on Saturday by qualifying for the Rugby World Cup for the first time, defeating South Korea 70-22 in Incheon to become the champions of Asia.
This win secured Hong Kong their sixth consecutive Asia Rugby Championship title and a spot in the expanded 24-team tournament scheduled to take place in Australia in 2027.
Now, Hong Kong, well-known for its annual Sevens tournament, will be competing in the 15-a-side competition alongside notable teams such as the reigning champions South Africa and New Zealand’s All Blacks.
With Japan, one of the Asian powerhouses, already qualified by finishing in the top three of their pool at the 2023 World Cup, the title of continental champions was up for grabs.
Not only did Hong Kong claim regional honours, but they also became just the second Asian team after Japan to qualify for the men’s Rugby World Cup.
Throughout the past month, Hong Kong topped the four-team standings with victories against the UAE (43-10), Sri Lanka (78-7), and South Korea.
The United Arab Emirates secured second place in the standings and remains in contention for qualification. They will compete against the runners-up of this month’s Rugby Africa Cup in a playoff on July 26.
The winner of that match will advance to a final qualification tournament set to be held in Dubai in November.
