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Paul McNamara

The never-say-die Hong Kong men’s rugby team summoned a grandstand finish to stun Brazil and complete their South American tour with a roller-coaster 26-25 victory in Sao Paulo.
Head coach Andrew Douglas’ team were on the brink of defeat at 25-19 down entering the closing minute.
When the nervy hosts kicked into touch from inside their own 22, however, Hong Kong ruthlessly capitalised on the error. A cross-field kick following the line-out invited Seb Brien to steal over close to the corner.
The nerveless Nathan de Thierry landed the conversion to spark euphoric scenes, as Hong Kong secured their second straight win following last week’s annihilation of Paraguay.

“It means a lot to nail that kick, for me and the boys,” De Thierry said. “We have been together for three weeks on a tough tour, so to get that win just topped it off so well.”
The success at Estadio Nicolau Alayon, on Saturday local time, came a fortnight after Hong Kong were narrowly beaten by world No 22 side Chile in their opening tour fixture. An 80-12 triumph over lowly Paraguay seven days ago laid the platform for one of the team’s most significant results of recent years.
The rewriting of Rugby World Cup qualifying rules means it is very likely Hong Kong will make their tournament debut in 2027.
South American nations are smarting over a system that strips their continent of one place in the global showpiece.
Beating Brazil in their own backyard, then, was an achievement with layers of meaning beneath the outcome on one given day.
“We had talked about Brazil being physical and direct, and it was a hostile environment,” Douglas said.
“At half-time, we felt we were in a good spot, had weathered a few storms and created opportunities, but we knew it was an arm wrestle. That’s about who stays in the fight the longest … they stuck in it longer than we thought they were going to.”
Hong Kong led 14-10 at the break following converted scores from Luke van der Smit and Matt Worley. Gabriel Paganini’s try put Brazil in front for the first time shortly before the hour.
Hong Kong were in desperate trouble when a 65th-minute penalty try for the home team was compounded by the consequent yellow card awarded to replacement prop Faizal Solomona-Penesa.
A man down, Hong Kong nevertheless hit back through Matteo Avitabile’s score. Brazil thought Moises Duque’s penalty for 25-19 had provided sufficient daylight, only for the visitors to strike at the death.
“The great thing about touring here is that you get adversity, different refereeing interpretations, crowds that are passionate and a pitch different from those we play on in Hong Kong,” Douglas said. “You have to adapt. We probably didn’t do that as well as I would have liked, but … we showed a lot of resilience.
“It wasn’t a pretty win, or our best performance, but I am proud of our character. We could have given it away after the penalty try, which was about five metres from the try line, but we stayed resilient … and never gave up.

“The tour brought us together and I have a group of players I can fully trust, so it is exciting for our future.”
Brazil, the world No 29 nation, play Belgium back in Sao Paulo next Sunday. No 24-ranked Hong Kong have five victories from six matches in 2024.
“We’ve had an awesome tour and it’s been an experience of a lifetime for us,” Josh Hrstich, the Hong Kong captain, said. “We heard about the physicality of the teams in South America and I’m happy with how we stood up to the challenges.”


Hong Kong men power past China and Japan for Asia Rugby Sevens Series clean sweep

Tranquez puts the boot in as Brazil power their way past Hong Kong in first Autumn Test

Hong Kong to field 2 debutants against Brazil as build-up to 2027 Rugby World Cup begins

Hong Kong stepping up bid to attract overseas talent, hunting Asian tournament clean sweep

Hong Kong China Rugby

Hong Kong rugby tour: city’s men fight back to stun Brazil and send World Cup message

Hong Kong’s James Sawyer stands tall during a maul in the Sao Paulo heat. Photo: Hong Kong China Rugby

Jubilant Hong Kong players celebrate their last-gasp success in Brazil. Photo: Hong Kong China Rugby

Captain Josh Hrstich tries to compete in a lineout. Photo: Hong Kong China Rugby

Hong Kong urged to ‘seize opportunity’ after learning route to women’s 2025 Rugby World Cup

Hong Kong’s victory over Kazakhstan kept alive their World Cup qualifying hopes. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Hong Kong are one of five teams going to WXV3 to chase two spots in England next year. Photo: Jonathan Wong

South America rugby tour: Hong Kong bounce back from narrow Chile loss to thrash Paraguay

Callum McCullough storms forward during Hong Kong’s comfortable victory over Paraguay in Ascunsion. Photo: Eneas Colman for Hong Kong China Rugby

Hooker Callum Scott was influential for Hong Kong. Photo: Eneas Colman for Hong Kong China Rugby

Hong Kong Touch World Cup teams starting to create something ‘extraordinary’

Former sevens star Ricky Cheuk is part of the Hong Kong contingent heading to the Touch World Cup in Nottingham. Photo: HKCR

Diana Li (left), chairwoman of Hong Kong Touch Rugby, is a member of the mixed over-30s team. Photo: HKCR

Former Hong Kong women’s star Ivy Kwong has taken her talents to touch rugby. Photo: HKCR

Asia Rugby Championship: Hong Kong retain crown with ‘statement’ performance

Triumphant Hong Kong celebrate clinching a fifth straight Asia Rugby Championship title. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Young fans flooded the field to join Hong Kong’s players in their trophy celebrations. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Sport

Rugby

Fifteens

Hong Kong Rugby Union

International Rugby

Win completes a tour that has made Hong Kong’s potential inclusion in 2027 World Cup seem a little less far-fetched


Win completes a tour that has made Hong Kong’s potential inclusion in 2027 World Cup seem a little less far-fetched.


Hong Kong International Test Rugby

Paraguay