Hong Kong China Men’s XVs Preparations & Confirmed Centralised Contracted Players – Road to RWC 2027

Hong Kong China Rugby has confirmed they have contracted a group of 34 players to date on a full or part-time professional basis since they achieved their first-ever men’s Rugby World Cup qualification. They will start their Road to RWC 2027 preparations with a training camp and two matches in Japan in October 2025 before hosting the Japan XV in Hong Kong.

Feature Photo Credit – HKCR

The camp in Japan will be the first time the expanded centrally contracted group will be together, and they will build towards playing matches in Japan before hosting the Japan XV for the first-ever Men’s XV game at the Kai Tak Stadium.

Qualification for the Rugby World Cup 2027 should see a significant increase in international competition for the team, but they have not yet confirmed any more tests in 2025, and World Rugby has confirmed the draw date for the tournament will be held on 3rd December, with World Rugby rankings determining the pools.

Hong Kong China Men’s XVs Centralised Contracted Players

HKCR Head of Technical Rugby and Elite Coach Development Andrew Douglas said via HKCR of the group, “We have always been working around a target of around 35 or so contracted players, but this is not the full group yet.

We have deliberately left room for other players. We know that guys are out there, and if they become available, we are not going to say no to any qualified player out there that can improve our club and representative system.”

HKCR said that in addition to the 34 confirmed players on centralised contracts (16 forwards and 18 backs), “More players are set to join this group, pending work or educational commitments, as HKCR transitions to a full-time athlete program, and readies to mix it up with the world’s best in two years’ time.”

There are some notable absentees from the list, considering the recent campaigns (and ignoring those who are already on Sevens contracts), such as Alex Post, Nathan De Thierry, Paul Altier, Luke Van Der Smit and others.

“There are also guys that have been key for us in recent times whose commitments are tough at the moment, so they are not included, but that doesn’t mean they won’t play for us in the future. They have been great servants for Hong Kong China Rugby, and the door isn’t closed to them,” Douglas added.

HKCR XV Men’s Japan Camp & Fixtures – October 2025

Additional Hong Kong-qualified players from overseas will join the centralised contracted players (who formed the core of the core squad that secured Hong Kong’s first-ever place at a Rugby World Cup) for the camp in Japan.

The squad will depart from Hong Kong on 10th October. They will play against  Japan League One side Mazda Hiroshima Skyactivs in Fukuoka on 11 October before a weeklong training camp in Okinawa. They then face LeRIRO Fukuoka on 18 October and return to Hong Kong the next day.

The JRLO clubs have been playing the new JRLO Rising competition, but their main season only gets underway in December 2025.

Photo Credit – HKCR – Andrew Douglas

• 11 October – Mazda Hiroshima Skyactivs vs HKCR
• 18 October – LeRIRO Fukuoka vs HKCR
• 24 October – HKCR vs Japan XV (Kai Tak Stadium)

Douglas commented, “The camp is really important to embed our game plan and get guys up to speed as much as we can for November, but this is a platform for next year, not just this year. The camp is going to be vital for the players culture-wise, to establish who we are, what we are doing, and why we are doing it, and to reinforce our values.”

HKCR has yet to confirm any matches for November, but the likelihood is that tests are coming. On the model for their success and game plan, the New Zealander added, “Our game model is built around beating the teams ranked one to eight immediately above us in the world, and understanding what we need to be successful against those teams.

What worked for us in Asia is not going to work at that level, and we are aware of that, but we have a crop of players that are keen and want to do well and can be competitive with the likes of Spain, Portugal and Uruguay,” added Andrew Douglas.

RWC 2027 Aspirations – Hong Kong China Men

Douglas said of the Rugby World Cup in Australia in 2027, “We are not going to beat New Zealand or South Africa, and we are realistic about that, but there will be four other teams in our pool in Australia, and if we can win one game, well, the next best 3rd place teams advance to the group of 16. To win one game at a World Cup is an achievement in and of itself, but we have to be aspirational and give ourselves a chance.”

HKCR Men’s Tour Squad – Japan (October 2025)

Photo Credit – HKCR – Captain Joshua HRSTICH (left) and Thomas HILL (right)

Forwards

Sunia FAMEITAU (HKU Sandy Bay); Faizal SOLOMONA PENESA (HK Scottish); Zac CINNAMOND (HKU Sandy Bay); Rory CINNAMOND (HKU Sandy Bay); James HOLMES (Hong Kong Football Club); Calum SCOTT (Hong Kong Football Club); Harry BARON (HK Scottish); Max MURPHY (Hong Kong Football Club); Dana FOURIE (HKU Sandy Bay); Kyle SULLIVAN (USRC Tigers); Joshua HRSTICH (Hong Kong Football Club); Tyler McNUTT (Hong Kong Football Club); Jack BARTLETT (Hong Kong Football Club); Pierce MACKINLAY-WEST (Hong Kong Football Club); James SAWYER (Valley); Lachlan DOHENY (Hong Kong Football Club); Callum Smith (Hong Kong Football Club)

Backs

Jack ABBOTT (HKU Sandy Bay); Brendon NELL (HKU Sandy Bay); Gregor MCNEISH (HK Scottish); CHUI Wai Lap Eric (Kowloon); Joseph BARKER (Kowloon); Thomas HILL (Hong Kong Football Club); Isaac CAMPBELL-WU (Valley); Ben AXTEN-BURRETT (Hong Kong Football Club); Guy SPANTON (HKU Sandy Bay); Marcus RAMAGE (HK Scottish); Murray BRECHIN (Hong Kong Football Club); Elliott QUINTON (Kowloon); Dylan McCANN (Hong Kong Football Club); Matt WORLEY (Hong Kong Football Club); Penetana SMITH (Hong Kong Football Club); James RIVERS (HK Scottish); Harrison KING (HK Scottish); Charles HIGSON-SMITH (Hong Kong Football Club)

Management Team HKCR Men’s XV

• Andrew Douglas, Head of Technical Rugby
• Logan Asplin, Head Coach
• Lewis Evans, Coach
• Marno Meyer, Coach
• Pete Nugent, S&C Coach
• Andy Yuen, Analyst
• Charles Cheung, Team Manager

Hong Kong China Rugby News 2025

• The Nan Fung Group | AIRSIDE Hong Kong Premiership 2025-2026 – New Players To Watch.
• 2025/26 Nan Fung Group | Airside Hong Kong Premiership Season Launch.
• Rugby World Cup 2027 Draw Date, Tournament Format & Ticketing Confirmed – What You Should Know.
• Hong Kong China Men’s XVs Representative Team Set For Debut at Kai Tak Stadium Against Japan XV in October 2025.