Hong Kong tap potential of fresh faces for Asia Rugby Women’s Championship
City’s coaches planning for future as squad prepare to face Japan and Kazakhstan in Fukuoka
Hong Kong could hand debuts to as many as five players in the Asia Rugby Women’s Championship this month, something head coach Lewis Wilson said highlighted the “really exciting” potential for the game in the city.
With several senior squad members, including Natasha Olson-Thorne, either injured or resting after an intense sevens season, Wilson said some fringe players had made “absolutely amazing progress” over the past several months.
The city’s women take on Kazakhstan and hosts Japan in the space of five days in this year’s ARC, hoping to kick-start their next World Cup qualifying cycle after the disappointment of the WXV3 tournament in Dubai last year.
Other experienced players missing the trip to Fukuoka include the Rivers sisters, Georgia and Gabriella, and Sabay Lynam.
The likes of Naomi Peeters and Isobel Littlehailes have been brought in as replacements, while Pun Wai-yan will captain a 28-strong squad, which will be cut down from the 35 that Lewis has had training in preparation.
“There are five potentials in there, which is awesome,” Wilson said. “And there’s probably another 10 or so in behind, not too far away either, which is really exciting.”