Ex-semi-professional players Post and Combes to face hosts Australia as Hong Kong China open Rugby World Cup
On 1 October 2027, Hong Kong China will open the Rugby World Cup against hosts Australia at Perth Stadium in front of 61,000 fans, with Alex Post and Jack Combes among the starters after their recent victory over Uruguay. The match serves as the tournament curtain-raiser as both sides complete warm-up preparations ahead of the pool stage.
Hong Kong China arrive in Pool A for their first World Cup appearance, drawn with Australia, Chile and the All Blacks, having transformed from regional competitors to global qualifiers. Combes described qualification as extraordinary: "I think the whole run-up to the whole qualification process was already a dream in itself. To qualify for a men's first World Cup was huge," said Combes, a scrum-half. The pair’s backgrounds contrast with Australia’s established international record; the hosts are twice world champions.
Alex Post, 31, said his club experience came with Richmond in The Champ and insisted that league’s value: "Unfortunately, I've never played at The Prem level. But The Champ definitely doesn't get the credit it deserves," said the 31-year-old. Post was a full-time Hong Kong professional before the Covid pandemic interrupted that status and he began a Masters degree at the University of Oxford, with the Varsity match at Twickenham among his larger crowd experiences.
Jack Combes, 29, traced a non-linear route into full-time international rugby that included Hartpury College, a spell at Birmingham Moseley in England's third tier and an ACL setback. "So I've been full-time in the sevens for about three and a half years now," he said, adding that moving into a full-time environment brought increased training and physical development necessary for what they face.
Hong Kong China have dominated regional competition, holding the Asia Rugby Championship title for the past seven years and securing World Cup qualification by defeating Korea 70-22 in last year's final round. They also recorded a late 42-40 win over Uruguay in July; Post and Combes both started in that victory, a result that provided a strong assessment of their current level.
The squad has attracted experienced coaching support, with former London Irish and Ospreys director of rugby Toby Booth joining the set-up, and the team acknowledge external criticism about their international make-up. "It's always the first criticism we get after an international game," said Post. "We don't go looking for that criticism or feedback. But it's always going to be there. I think for us, just perform and try and put something out there that people are proud of."
Hong Kong China will test themselves in the Nations Cup next month against three countries with World Cup heritage — USA, Canada and Tonga — before travelling to Perth for the tournament opener against Australia on 1 October 2027. Coaches have urged ambition and fearlessness in the lead-up, encapsulated by Combes: "I think just be ambitious, be fearless, and go for it. 'Be memorable' is the phrase that coaches have been talking about."