The Hong Kong national rugby league team represents Hong Kong in the sport of rugby league.
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| Team information | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname | Thunder | |||||
| Governing body | Hong Kong Rugby League | |||||
| Region | Asia Pacific | |||||
| Head coach | Matthew Jones | |||||
| Captain | Ringo Lung | |||||
| Most caps | Toby Lei (6) Richard Lindsay (6) Ringo Lung (6) | |||||
| Top try-scorer | Ben Ryan (5) | |||||
| Top point-scorer | Richard Lindsay (30) | |||||
| IRL ranking | 50th | |||||
| Uniforms | ||||||
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| Team results | ||||||
| First international | ||||||
 Hong Kong 22-24 Japan  (Kowloon, Hong Kong; 4 November 2017) | ||||||
| Biggest win | ||||||
| Japan 20-32 Hong Kong (Inagi, Tokyo; 16 June 2018) | ||||||
| Biggest defeat | ||||||
Hong Kong 6-62 Poland  (St Mary's Stadium, Australia; 4 October 2018) | ||||||
| World Cup | ||||||
| Appearances | 0 | |||||
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History
editThe Hong Kong Rugby League (HKRL) was formed in December 2014, with the first official rugby league matches in Hong Kong being played in 2015[1] and the inaugural Hong Kong Super League being contested in 2017.[2]
Hong Kong made its Test debut in November 2017, losing to Japan in Kowloon.[3] Hong Kong plays Japan for a trophy called the East Asia Cup.
Hong Kong was included in the RLIF world rankings for the first time in December 2017.[4] Hong Kong is currently ranked 45th in the world.[5]
Ben Ryan scored the first try for Hong Kong during their debut international against Japan. He also told fellow international Rugby League player Latrel Mitchell about it in Port Macquarie.
After a 6 year hiatus due to COVID - HKRL will be returning to the International scene with a East Asia Cup game vs Japan in October 2024.
Current squad
editSquad selected for 2024 East Asia Cup
- Andrew Welling
- Au Chi Wai
- Blake Atherton
- Callum Man
- Conan Freeman
- Dan Chui
- Gus Spence
- Doug O’Donnell
- Jason Yip
- Kenta Brown
- Matthew Jones
- Nelson Chan
- Tommy Lee
- Toby Lei
- Tommy Wong
- Hogan Toomalatai
Hong Kong Residents XIII
editThe Hong Kong Residents XIII was a representative team made by the Hong Kong Rugby League to give open-age players who currently reside in Hong Kong the opportunity to help develop Rugby League throughout Asia. This early stage International Representative team of Hong Kong gave an opportunity for a number of players in the Thunder to develop.
The Residents have had three tours since their formation in 2015, touring the Philippines twice, and Thailand once.
2017
editHong Kong Residents 58 defeated Philippines Admirals 8 (Michael Aghataher, John Franklin Agunod, Jay Caña tries) at Emperor Stadium, Taguig, Philippines (18 March 2017)[6]
2016
editHong Kong Residents 20 (Rob Hotchin 2, Doug Fluker, Hugh Quinivan tries; Doug Fluker 2 from 4 goals) defeated Thailand Residents 16 (Sakul Chopaka, Richard Chigumba, Julien Domenech tries; Ben Geldart 2 from 3 goals) at Horseshoe Point Resort, Pattaya, Thailand (28 May 2016)
2015
editHong Kong Residents 40 (Tom Patridge 2, Kurt O'Brien 2, Doug Fluker, Tom Beresford, Yosuke Yamagishi tries; Doug Fluker 6 from 6 goals) defeated Manila Storm 34 (Elvis William Jensen 2, Martin Yam 2, Greg Ranza, Benny Noki tries; Martin Yami 5 from 6 goals) at Southern Plains Field in Alabang, Philippines (7 November 2015)
International Results
editInternational results for the Hong Kong Thunder.
2018
editHong Kong 32 defeated Japan Samurais 20 at Sogo Ground of Inagi Chuo Park, Tokyo, 16 June 2018.
Poland 62 (S Maslanka 2, R Mykietyn 2, C Korostchuk 3, J Metuangaro 2, E Niszczot, M Maslanka 2 tries; E Niszczot 7 goals) v 6 Hong Kong (C McMurrich try; R Lindsay 1 goal) at St Marys Leagues Stadium, Sydney, 4 October 2018. 2018 Emerging Nations World Championship. C McMurrich sin binned twice.
Solomon Islands 32 (L Tongaka, T Sanga, S Momoa, M Singamoana 2, H Angikimua, D Saomatangi tries; E Moeava 2 goals) v 12 Hong Kong (L Griffiths, M Waugh tries; R Lindsay 2 goals) at Kellyville Ridge Stadium, Sydney, 7 October 2018. 2018 Emerging Nations World Championship. L Griffiths and M Singamoana sin binned.
Japan 32 (K Fukushige, F Karino, I Matsuo, E Shivasaki 2, G Gerediaga tries; T Sugano 4 goals) v 30 Hong Kong (R Lindsay, L Griffiths, B Ryan, C McMurrich, G Spence tries; R Lindsay 5 goals) at Windsor Sports Complex, Sydney, 11 October 2018. 2018 Emerging Nations World Championship.
Solomon Islands 56 (Singamoana, Angikumua 3, Moe'ava 2, Sanga, Tengemoana, Manau, 2, Saomatangi tries; E Moe'ava 5, T Sanga 1 goals) v 14 Hong Kong (B Barnes, R Lindsay, C McMurrich tries; B Barnes 1 goal) at St Marys Leagues Stadium field number 2, Sydney, 13 October 2018. 2018 Emerging Nations World Championship. C McMurrich sin binned.
2017
editHong Kong 22 (Ben Ryan 2, Gus Spence, Toby Lei tries; Kin Chong 3 from 4 goals) lost to Japan Samurais 24 (Kazuki Fukushige, Itaru Matuso, Kenshin Tsutsui, Kohei Ishikawa, Royoji Kitabayashi tries, Dai Fujitaka 2 from 5 goals) at King's Park in Kowloon, 4 November 2017.
Fixtures
editUpcoming fixtures for the Hong Kong Thunder
2018
editEmerging Nations World Championship - Sydney, Australia (September - October 2018)
2024
edit2024 East Asia Cup - Hokkaido, Japan (October 2024) - Hong Kong Rl vs Japan RL
References
edit- ^ Hong Kong Rugby League launched
- ^ HKRL announce inaugural Super League competition
- ^ Brave Hong Kong lose narrowly against Japan in historic encounter
- ^ PNG climbs to 10th place in World Rugby League Ranking
- ^ "RLIF - Rugby League International Federation". www.rlif.com. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
- ^ "Filipinos make International League History - The Philippine Times". The Philippine Times. 20 March 2017. Retrieved 23 May 2018.