Hong Kong’s men’s rugby team experienced a devastating loss to Madagascar, followed by a defeat against Canada, leaving them positioned at the bottom of their pool in the HSBC SVNS Series in Cape Town. Their losses put their qualification hopes in jeopardy, and the team is now focused on limiting further damage in upcoming matches to secure a place in the challenge playoffs.
The aspirations of Hong Kong’s men’s rugby team in the HSBC SVNS Series took a significant blow following a surprising defeat to Madagascar, culminating in a disappointing tournament in Cape Town. On Saturday, Hong Kong lost 21-19 to Madagascar, a newly promoted team, further failing against Canada with a score of 21-12, positioning them at the bottom of their pool.
Paul John, head of Hong Kong sevens rugby, expressed regret over the team’s performance, admitting that the unexpected loss to Madagascar severely jeopardized their chances for qualification in the HSBC SVNS Series. John remarked on the team’s disappointing results and acknowledged that a stronger performance in their second match against Canada was overshadowed by their initial setback against Madagascar.
Before the tournament, coach Peter Jericevich had labeled Madagascar as an unpredictable competitor. However, Hong Kong discovered their capabilities through a last-minute collapse in the match, which saw Matteo Avitabile receive a yellow card, allowing Madagascar’s Mamy Herilala Ranaivoarison to decisively convert a crucial try, sealing Hong Kong’s fate.
In the absence of captain James Christie due to injury, Cado Lee Ka-to led Hong Kong as they initially surged to a 14-0 lead against Madagascar within the first four minutes, thanks to converted tries from Jack Combes and Liam Herbert. Nonetheless, the team’s inability to maintain this advantage proved detrimental.
In conclusion, Hong Kong’s men’s rugby team faces a critical juncture in the HSBC SVNS Series after suffering defeats against Madagascar and Canada in Cape Town. Their current standings necessitate a strong recovery in future matches to secure a top-four position for nascent playoff opportunities. Paul John’s acknowledgment of the disappointing outcomes highlights urgent areas for improvement as the team seeks to avoid relegation in the Challenger Series.
Original Source: www.scmp.com
