Hong Kong China Seal 7th Straight AREMC Title with 45-9 Win Over Korea

The Hong Kong China Men’s XV secured their 7th straight title in the AREMC (Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Championship) on Sunday, 7th June, with a 45-9 win over Korea at HKFC. They scored 7 tries on the way to the win and the 2026 championship.

Photo Credit: HKCR

Coming into the match, there were plenty of unknowns about the Korean side, which featured a dozen new caps, or how the rejigged and inexperienced home side would perform – but after a scrappy opening half, the hosts made light work of the visitors, as number 8 Jack Bartlett scored twice and was named Man of the Match.

Korea had not beaten Hong Kong China since 2015, and this was the third big loss in as many meetings – they will face Sri Lanka in the final game to determine who is runner-up this year.

For HKCR, coming into the shortened tournament, building depth was part of the plan, and they have blooded 18 new caps across the two Test wins – with hooker Luke Dewar and scrumhalf Emanuel Lai making their debuts against Korea.

Nigel Hotham, head coach of Hong Kong’s squad for the Asia Rugby Championship, said, “In the team talk I said: everyone’s got a reason to bring their A game. You know, some of these guys, it’s just to say ‘hey, look at me, I’m a club player, but I’ve stood up to a test match’; other guys are looking to see if they can get a seat maybe on a plane to the Rugby World Cup in Australia.”

Photo Credit – HKCR

He added, “So they’ve all got their reasons to play really well. “ The hope is that those club players go back and lift the level of their club and help lift the depth and level of Hong Kong rugby. I really cross my fingers that next year some club player will be motivated to make that ARC team, like ‘ I mightn’t be on a plane to Australia, but I want to make that ARC team’, and he works harder than he’s ever worked to get there. That will help Hong Kong rugby.”

It was a scrappy and error-strewn opening half in which the hosts led 12-9 thanks to two tries (Sunia Siupeli Fameitau and Charles Higson-Smith), with Korea slotting three penalties thanks to experienced flyhalf Buhyeon Jeong. HKCR fullback Dylan McCann struggled kicking in the first half but came right in the second period.

In the second half, HKCR ran in a further 5 tries without reply as they tried to play more with the ball in hand, and the pressure on Korea eventually told after defending for much of the game.

HKCR had a huge scrum, and scrumhalf Brendan Nel scored a superb solo try with a break and chip and chase, which was converted for a 19-9 lead.

Jack Bartlett scored a brace, including a second that was a great running line off a lineout. Korea received a yellow card after the match officials’ warning for repeat infringements. Dean Rossouw scored his first try in his second test, before Murray Brechin scored his 5th in 5 Tests, collecting a kick-pass out wide.

Photo Credit -Hong Kong China – AREMC 2026 – Jack Bartlett

Hotham added, “We had territory, but we had little errors that let them kick goals that kept them in the game. The whole point of working hard like that is so you get some reward in the second half, and I think we got that once the game opened up a little bit. Our lineout operated really well, forwards got some dominance, and once Brendan (Nel) scored that try, that kind of took the wind out of their sails a little bit.”

HKCR captain Dean Squire, who left the game in the first half through injury, said, “The boys are delighted with that one today. We were frustrated with our performance against Sri Lanka, and we brought more of what we wanted to show today more of what we can do, and be more physical.”

The win sealed the title, which Hong Kong China have held since 2015. The Men’s XV head to New Zealand to play a warm-up match before taking part in the Nations Cup in South America with Tests against Samoa, Chile, and Uruguay.

Photo Credit – HKCR

HKCR

Tries: Sunia Siupeli Fameitau (11′), Charles Higson-Smith (24′), Brendan Nel (47′), Jack Bartlett (54′ & 57′), Dean Rossouw (70′), Murray Brechin (81′)

Conversion: Dylan McCann – 25′, 48′, 55′, 58′, 71′

Korea

Penalties: Buhyeon Jeong – 2′, 23′, 30′

Asian Rugby News 2026

• AREMC 2026 Match 2 Preview: Hong Kong China vs Korea.
• Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Championships (AREMC 2026) Tournament Preview.
• Asian International Rugby Tournaments 2026.
• Understanding The World Rugby Nations Cup 2026.