Coach Andy Vilk tells Hong Kong women subs to grab their chance as 7s series hits Hangzhou
Understrength Hong Kong face Malaysia, UAE and Japan in pool stage of second Asia Rugby Sevens Series leg this weekend while 15s play in WXV3
Hong Kong’s women are “showing the ability” to close the gap on Asian sevens heavyweights China and Japan, head coach Andy Vilk has told the Post.
The Englishman will take an understrength team to Hangzhou this weekend for the second leg of the Asia Rugby Sevens Series, with a host of his leading performers on 15s duty for the forthcoming WXV3 tournament in Dubai.
Vilk has encouraged the replacements to take their chance “in the spotlight” when Hong Kong contest pool matches with Japan, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates on Saturday.
At the opening leg in South Korea a fortnight ago, Hong Kong shocked Japan in the last four, before falling to the continent’s dominant force, China, in the final.
“We want to back up what we achieved last year and our aim is to close that gap to China and Japan,” Vilk said. “We are always trying to grow and since I came here [in August 2023] I’ve consistently seen a team that applies itself really well.
“The team is growing in confidence, and taking into matches what we do on the training pitch and in the meeting room. Viewing it subjectively … the girls are showing the ability to close the gap [to big two nations].”
