Hong Kong China embrace Rugby World Cup baptism after drawing Australia and the All Blacks in Pool A
Hong Kong China will make their Rugby World Cup debut in Australia, meeting the Wallabies and the All Blacks in Pool A at the expanded 24-team tournament that begins on 1 October 2027.
Australia, the tournament hosts, beat world champion South Africa 42-38 on Sunday, and there is discussion in the source material about the Wallabies’ improvement under Les Kiss and the potential knock-on effects for other sides such as England and New Zealand; the tournament’s expansion has left space for lower-ranked nations, including Hong Kong, who sit 24th in the world rankings.
Full-back Paul Altier described how the squad still feels like spectators at elite international fixtures, saying: “We were joking about how I should be taking notes and analysing the All Blacks,” he tells the Breakdown. “We’ve got a few South Africans and Kiwis in our squad ... we’re more used to watching it as fans.” Altier kicked the winning last‑gasp penalty in Hong Kong’s 42-40 victory over Uruguay in Montevideo in July and most recently played in last season’s Championship for Richmond.
Hong Kong’s hooker Alexander Post, a 30-year-old who has been a longtime stalwart for Richmond and who won a Varsity Match with Oxford University, used the word goosebumps to describe the moment. “Talking about it genuinely gives me goosebumps, even in 30-degree heat,” says Post, aka the “Postmaster General” to his friends at the Athletic Ground. “Opening the World Cup against Australia is what you dream of as a kid. Then, if selected, potentially facing an All Black haka? They’re special occasions for anyone, let alone little old Hong Kong.”
To prepare for the step up in standard, Hong Kong China Rugby have professionally contracted the squad and scheduled tougher opposition over the coming months. The team will play Nations Cup fixtures in Europe in November against the United States and Canada, followed by a home match against Tonga, and a planned tour to Australia in February that could include games against Super Rugby reserve teams and the national U20 side.
Coaching continuity has also been addressed: Toby Booth has returned as lineout and defence coach to work alongside head coach Andrew Douglas. Altier said of Booth: “The boys have a lot of respect for him ... he’s been nothing but good for the team so far in terms of driving standards.” Altier, who previously played in France for Chambéry in Nationale 1 before joining Richmond, assessed Hong Kong’s level as roughly comparable to a top-four Championship side and argued the league helps prepare players for international rugby.
Post rejected the idea that Hong Kong should be written off and urged opportunity rather than exclusion, saying: “I say, ‘Bring it on.’ 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. I know everyone in the squad will be raring to go no matter who we’re playing against. “Letting the minnows have an opportunity against the big boys is only good for the game. I made my debut for Hong Kong over 10 years ago and throughout all that time we’ve spoken about wanting to play internationals against people who are better than us and will help us improve. No disrespect to Malaysia or Korea but when we play them and win by 70 or 90 points it’s not ideal. There’s definitely scope to help the game flourish in Asia, especially in Hong Kong.”
Hong Kong’s immediate schedule includes Nations Cup matches in Europe against the United States and Canada in November, a home fixture with Tonga, and a February tour to Australia as they prepare to face Australia and the All Blacks in Pool A at the Rugby World Cup beginning 1 October 2027.
