Rugby World Cup: Hong Kong coach Lewis Evans rings changes for ‘tough encounter’ against Tonga, as side chases history
- There are six new faces in the starting 15 from the side that won the Asia Rugby Championship two weeks ago
- Evans has also opted for a 6-2 split on the bench in anticipation of a very physical contest
Hong Kong coach Lewis Evans said he had to make several “incredibly tough decisions” in selecting his team for Saturday’s Rugby World Cup qualifier against Tonga.
The Welshman has made six changes to the starting 15 that won the Asia Rugby Championship two weeks ago, with injuries and the physical nature of the clash both playing their part in a 23-man squad that includes six forwards on the bench for the game on Australia’s Sunshine Coast.
There are changes at scrum-half and fly-half, with Jack Combes getting the nod over Bryn Phillips at nine, and Gregor McNeish, the hero of the 23-21 win over Korea, starting at 10.
McNeish, who Evans said would have been starting anyway, replaces the injured Glyn Hughes, who has tweaked a groin and drops out of the squad entirely.
With Charles Higson-Smith banned following his red card against South Korea, Guy Spanton comes on to the wing, and Nathan de Thierry starts at full back instead of Jack Neville, who was unavailable.
Evans said while there was a tactical element to his selection for a game not many people expect Hong Kong to win, some players had “trained really well and deserved their chance”.
There has been some shuffling of the pack too. In the front row, prop Callum McFeat-Smith comes in at loose head, Faizal Solomona Penesa switches to the other side of the scrum and Ashton Hyde drops to the bench, while Alex Post starts again at hooker.
The injured Mark Prior misses out in the second row, with James Cunningham moving to lock, while flanker Luke van der Smit is brought into the starting line-up at openside.
