AREWC 2026 Match Preview: Kazakhstan vs Hong Kong China

The Asia Rugby Emirates Women’s Championship 2026 (AREWC) comes to a conclusion on Sunday, 10th May, with Japan already having defended the title. Kazakhstan will play Hong Kong China to determine the runner-up at the Almaty Sport Complex.

Feature Photo Credit – Asia Rugby

Hong Kong China have defeated Kazakhstan in the past two championships held in Hong Kong (22-0) and in Japan (29-12). The hosts, Kazakhstan, have not won a game in the tournament for the past two years, but have yet to lose to HKCR at home (although there have only been two fixtures there) – overall, the head-to-head now reads as four wins each, but Hong Kong China have won four since 2022.

Kazakhstan last beat HKCR 27-23 in the Championship in 2023, so the matches tend to be tight. The hosts are on a six-match losing streak overall, and the last time they won was an 18-12 win against Kenya at WXV 3 2023 in Dubai.

Both sides lost heavily to Japan, but both sides also scored twice. Kazakhstan has a slightly better points differential, so if the game ends in a draw, our understanding is that they would finish ahead of Hong Kong China.

Photo Credit – Asia Rugby – AREWC 2026 Kazakhstan vs Japan

Hong Kong China acting Lead Coach, Bella Milo said, “Kazakhstan are a physical side and we have to deny them access inside our 22-metre line. If they get in there, they can get the ball rolling through their big ball carriers. We want to minimise our penalties and not give them too much territory. We need to be very sound defensively.”

With 8 players making their debut against Japan, CHAN Ching Man Vivian is the only HKCR player who could make her debut this weekend off the bench.

Milo has stuck with 7 of the 8 players who started in the pack against Sakura 15, with CHOW Mei Nam coming in for Tiffany Hiu San. In the backs, there are two positional changes, with Lauren KNOWLER starting in #13 after coming off the bench in the first game, and up-and-coming 7s player from Valley RFC, Haruka UEMATSU, replacing the injured Sabay Lynam at fullback.

HKCR co-captain Kea Herewini told us before the tournament, “Our main goal is to go over to Kazakhstan and beat them at home, and I think it would be pretty awesome if we were able to do that.

We know they have the physical advantage over us, and player by player, the size advantage over us. But the speed of the game we play in the Hong Kong Prem is one of our strengths, especially for the backline players. For the forwards, especially at scrum time, we strive to be more technical and have a solid platform for our backs to work from, so we need to keep working away at that.”

She added beyond this tournament, “In a meeting we had, the biggest word we have is belief. Believe you are one of the best players in Hong Kong, and back yourselves and believe what you have and what it takes to get to the next Rugby World Cup.”

HKCR co-captain, Abigail Chan, added, “We have beaten Kazakhstan in recent matches, but in terms of performance, we want to prove we are capable of adapting to the environment and the pressure of playing the hosts and, of course, breaking the Almaty curse.”

Photo Credit – JRFU – AREWC 2026 HKCR vs Japan

Kazakhstan Squad vs Hong Kong China – AREWC 2026 Match#3

TBC

Hong Kong China Squad vs Kazakhstan – AREWC 2026 Match#3

HKCR Acting Lead Coach, Bella Milo, said, “There were lots of positives in that performance [against Japan], and a lot of work-ons. There is a lot to work on, but also some really strong performances around the field from individuals. Our set piece was great, and in patches we played some good rugby, particularly in the second half.

We need to work on doing that for 80 minutes, but it was a positive experience for the girls that will help us set our platform for Kazakhstan. We just need some minor tweaks now in the way we want to play against Kazakhstan.”

You can see more from the HKCR side here.

1. Kirstie STEVENSON 2. Fion GOT 3. Kea HEREWINI (co-captain), 4. Sabrina CHUNG 5. Roshini TURNER,
6. CHOW Mei Nam, 7. Grace HOOD  8. Isobel LITTLEHAILES 9. LI Sze Ting 10. Lara SCHATS 11. Zoe SMITH
12. Lauren KNOWLER 13. Abigail CHAN (co-captain) 14. HO Tsz Wun, Sunday 15. Haruka UEMATSU
16. Tanya DHAR 17. CHAN Ching Man Vivian* 18. LEE Ka Shun 19. Jenna POTGEITER 20. HO Hau Yan
21. WAN Tsz Yau 22. LO Wing Yin 23. CHIN Ka Yue

Match Permutations

• Hong Kong China is ranked 16th in the world.
• Kazakhstan is ranked 19th.
• Hong Kong China could gain up to 1.40 points for beating tournament hosts Kazakhstan, but that won’t be enough to improve on 16th place.
• If HKCR loses, they would drop below the Netherlands, but Kazakhstan must win by more than 15 points to climb one place to 18th.

Match Officials Japan vs HKCR AREWC 2026

• Match Referee – Hibiki Ikeda (Japan Rugby Football Union) will be making her Asia Rugby Emirates Women’s Championship refereeing debut.
• AR – Joanna Bezuidenhout* (UAERF) & Miku Tashiro (JRFU)

*Replaced by Justin Wang (SRU) but based on initial Asia Rugby notification of match officials.

How To Watch Asia Rugby Emirates Women’s Championship 2026

All of the matches will be broadcast via Asia Rugby socials and RugbyPassTV for international audiences.

You can rewatch Sakura 15s victory over Hong Kong China here.

Asian Women’s XV Rugby News 2026

• AREWC 2026 Match Preview: Japan vs Hong Kong China.
• AREWC 2026 Match Preview: Japan vs Kazakhstan.
• Asia Rugby Emirates Women’s Championship 2026 Preview – Team Guide
• Asian International Rugby Tournaments 2026.