BBC Rugby Union: Hong Kong China Set for WXV 3 Debut in Dubai After Asia Rugby Women’s Championship Victory
2 June 2024 – Hong Kong China will make their highly anticipated WXV 3 debut in Dubai this September after securing a resounding 22-0 victory against Kazakhstan in the final match of the Asia Rugby Women’s Championship 2024.
Both teams entered the tournament finale at Hong Kong Football Club knowing that a win would secure them a spot as the second-place finisher behind champions Japan, and a ticket to the upcoming WXV 3 competition in the United Arab Emirates.
While Kazakhstan had emerged victorious in the corresponding fixture 12 months ago, it was the home side who drew first blood midway through a tightly contested first half. Ka Yan Chong crossed the line for the only try of the opening period, before Natasha Olson-Thorne and Nga Wun Lau added further scores after the break. Zoe Smith’s impressive kicking contributed seven points to the final tally.
“During the game there were a lot of tough moments, but that was a team effort. We prepared for a long time for the ARC and we got the result we wanted,” Hong Kong China captain Wai Yan Pun stated.
This triumph means that Hong Kong China remain firmly in the hunt for a place at the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup, which they will attempt to secure through the WXV 3 tournament in September and October.
The victory came on the heels of Hong Kong China’s male counterparts’ 52-5 triumph against the United Arab Emirates in the Asia Rugby Men’s Championship 2024, also held at the Hong Kong Football Club. While the women’s side faced a more resolute Kazakh defense, they ultimately proved too strong, with Chong, Olson-Thorne, and Lau all crossing the line.
With this result, Hong Kong China have become the fifth nation to confirm their place at WXV 3, joining the Netherlands, Madagascar, Fiji, and Samoa. They will be joined by the loser of the upcoming play-off between Wales and Spain, with the top two non-qualified teams at the end of WXV 3 securing a spot at the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup in England.
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