Hong Kong China Men’s XV vs Brumbies Preview

rugbyasia247 Posted On November 6, 2025

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Hong Kong China Men’s XV vs Brumbies Preview

The Hong Kong China XVs Men take on the ACT Brumbies team at Hong Kong Football Club on Saturday, 8th November 2025, which is their final preparation game before they head to Europe to play Portugal for their final Test of 2025.

Feature Photo Credit – HKCR

This weekend’s match sees the HKCR Men continue their preparations for RWC 2027, as well as a selection opportunity for Hong Kong’s match against Portugal next weekend in Lisbon.

The hosts have made several changes to their starting XV but have, for the most part, stuck with a similar matchday 23 to the side which lost to the Japan XV at Kai Tak Stadium a couple of weeks ago.

Max Murphy, in the second row (who was one of a handful of players to have played well in the 59-14 loss), flank Tyler McNutt, captain Josh Hrstich at number 8, scrumhalf Brendan Nell, left wing Dylan McCann, centre Benjamin Axten-Burrett, Marcus Ramage, and fullback Matt Worley are the only players to start again albeit some with positional changes.

As part of the ongoing partnership between the ACT Brumbies and HKCR, the Australian side’s Head Coach Stephen Larkham has spent time in Hong Kong assisting Hong Kong China too. Earlier this season, the HKCR men played the Brumby Runners, winning 55-14.

Hong Kong China Men’s XV vs Brumbies

Brumbies fly-half Declan Meredith will captain the tourists after a good Super Rugby Pacific season – he also played in all four Super Rugby AUS fixtures.

Larkham said: “It’s a good opportunity for us. We generally don’t get enough games together at this time of year where they can test themselves at a higher level and bring a fair bit of connection into the team. The beauty of rugby is you can play it anywhere in the world and a lot of these guys have not been to Hong Kong. So we’ll give them an opportunity where they can get out and have a bit of a look around.

He said of the skipper for this weekend, “Declan is one of our game controllers who regularly talks during the game. He’ll be one of the most active participants in huddles, steering them around the field. And he’s been in the program as long as anyone else in this squad.”

The ACT Brumbies are without players representing the Wallabies or those who played for Australia A against Japan XV.

Hong Kong China Squad vs Brumbies – 2025

1 Rory CINNAMOND (HKU Sandy Bay)
2 Harry BARON (HK Scottish)
3 Callum McFEAT-SMITH (Hong Kong Football Club)
4 Maximilian MURPHY (Hong Kong Football Club)
5 James RIVERS (HK Scottish)
6 Tyler McNUTT (Hong Kong Football Club)
7 James SAWYER (Valley)
8 Joshua HRSTICH©️(Hong Kong Football Club)
9 Brendon NELL (HKU Sandy Bay)
10 Gregor McNEISH (HK Scottish)
11 Dylan McCANN (Hong Kong Football Club)
12 Benjamin AXTEN-BURRETT (Hong Kong Football Club)
13 Marcus RAMAGE (HK Scottish)
14 Guy SPANTON (HKU Sandy Bay)
15 Matt WORLEY (Hong Kong Football Club)
16 Calum SCOTT (Hong Kong Football Club)
17 Sunia FAMEITAU (HKU Sandy Bay)
18 Zacceus CINNAMOND (HKU Sandy Bay)
19 Kyle SULLIVAN (USRC Tigers)
20 Jack BARTLETT (Hong Kong Football Club)
21 CHUI Wai Lap (Kowloon)
22 Joseph BARKER (Kowloon)
23 Thomas HILL (Hong Kong Football Club)