Hong Kong China Take on RWC 2027 Pool Opponents Chile in Nations Cup 2026

Hong Kong China take on their Rugby World Cup 2027 pool opponents, Chile, on Saturday, July 11 at Estadio Sausalito, Vina del Mar, in the second round of the Nations Cup 2026.

Los Cóndores won their opening game against Romania 48-31 and secured a bonus-point win in their first Test of 2026, while the Asian champions were put to the sword and overpowered by Samoa 19-69 and, by their own admission, started poorly and didn’t play to their potential.

Following the opening round results, Chile are now ranked 17th in the world, while Hong Kong China dropped to 24th.

This will be the third match between the two nations, and each has won once – Hong Kong China won in 2017, 13-6, and Chile recorded a 22-17 victory on July 6, 2024, at the Estadio Fiscal de Talca in Talca, Chile. It was another loss in which HKC had a poor start but came back strongly – they were trailing 22-3 at halftime before a second-half comeback.

Chile suffered some injuries in their 17-point victory, with Game, Yoyo and Armstrong all potentially sidelined. They do come into this fixture in good form, with Chile having lost one of their last five tests (W3, D1, L1).

They were one of the most effective teams at ruck time in the Nations Cup; they won more jackal turnovers than any other team (7). They were also the most clinical in the opposition 22m.

In contrast, Hong Kong China only prevented Samoa from scoring in three of their 13 visits into the 22m area! They need to have addressed their defence, especially in the so-called red zones. Another stat they will want to shake is that they had the worst round 1 tackle completion rate of 69%.

Hong Kong China Rugby men’s XVs Head Coach Logan Asplin said, “It is definitely going to be a line in the sand. Regardless of last week’s result, this game should have a little more edge because there is not only the game in a year’s time, but we played them two years ago as well, so there is a bit of prior understanding and knowledge between the teams. Regardless of what the outcome is, it is going to give us that litmus test around where we need to be.

One thing I am probably most looking forward to is the adjustment that our players make from last week to this week. We have hit the halfway point in a long tour.

We are resolute and resilient in bouncing back from a result. This group has proven to be able to do that, and it is really important that we see that shift internally in our group, which would then display externally in the way that we play on Saturday. I am really looking forward to what that bounce back looks like,” Asplin added.

Photo Credit – World Rugby – Chile beat Romania in their Nations Cup 2026 opener

There has been some fierce and sometimes toxic rhetoric coming from South America and pundits backing an unlucky Belgium since Hong Kong China qualified for RWC 2027, claiming the additional slot to Asia was unwarranted.

Hong Kong China beat Paraguay and Brazil in their last trip to South America and beat Brazil in a two-match series at home in 2024. However, against Portugal and Samoa, they have conceded 46 and 47 points, respectively, in their recent losses.

There were not lots of positives for the Hong Kong China side in reviewing their loss to Samoa, but the first 20 minutes of the second half showed what they can do – but they need to do it for 80 minutes. Tyler McNutt (30) made the second most metres in contact in round 1 in the competition, and captain Pierce MacKinlay-West ranked joint-third for carries (18).

For this key match, Josh Hrstich returns to captain the side from number 8 in one of several changes. His inclusion will add leadership but also good physicality and go-forward. His loose forward partners are the same as game #1 – Tyler McNutt and last week’s captain Pierce McKinlay-West.

Hrstich said, “Chile is a very different challenge to Samoa. It is about adapting our style to play them and making a few little tweaks; business as usual. I know my role and I know if I can execute and play my game and put my best foot forward, the team will be in a good spot, and it will give the guys confidence to nail their details as well.”

In the front row, experienced hooker Alex Post starts to win his 24th cap, and Zach Cinnamond joins his brother Rory at prop. Earning his first start after winning his first cap last week, Lachlan Dohey (former Australian Schools & U18s) starts in the second row alongside the team’s most-capped player Kyle Sullivan with 30 caps.

The backline sees just one change in the starters with Isaac Campbell-Wu at inside centre to earn his first start.

Among the reserves, Calum Scott (former England U20s, London Irish, and London Scottish) is cover at hooker, and James Rivers could win his first cap in the second row. James Sawyer offers backrow cover, while Brendon Nell is the backup scrumhalf and utility back.

Photo Credit – HKCR / World Rugby

Pablo Lemoine’s Chile (he has been in his role since 2018) will be favourites over Logan Asplin’s Hong Kong China side, but we felt the HKCR squad selections suggested they have targeted this fixture.

Asplin said of their opponents: “When you watch Chile, they are really cohesive. You pair that with South American passion and then probably what is going to be a sold-out crowd this weekend, you know, 25,000 people would be pretty hostile, so it is a massive challenge for us to take on.

There are elements of the Samoa game which we were proud of, but there are more elements that we are disappointed with; the biggest test of resilience this week is how do we stand up the following week? How do we grow? Because in a way, we’ve got to put even tomorrow’s game out the window now and go, what’s the next challenge? That’s part of our professional standards and everything we do to be resolute and ready for the next challenge.”

They will face each other in Pool A at Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 in Townsville, Gurambilbarra on Saturday, 9 October.

Photo Credit – World Rugby – Chile’s Head Coach Pablo Lemoine will be looking to make it 2/2 wins in the Nations Cup 2026

Match Permutations

• Chile are unlikely to reach a new high of 16th; if they win, they will need to beat HKCR and for other results to go their way.
• Hong Kong China won’t drop from 24th in defeat as long as Zimbabwe dont beat the USA this weekend
• If the Asian champions win by more than 15 points, they could reach an all-time best of 21st, while also demoting Los Condores to 20th.

Match Officials – Chile v Hong Kong China – Nations Cup 2026

• Referee: Tomas Ninci (Argentina)
• Assistant Referee 1: Tomas Ninci (UAR)
• Assistant Referee 2: Federico Longobardi (UAR)
• TMO: Esteban Filipanics (Argentina)

There were changes to the original officiating team announced.

Hong Kong China Squad vs Chile – 2026 Nations Cup

Starting XV

1.Rory CINNAMOND, 2. Alexander POST, 3. Zac CINNAMOND, 4. Lachlan DOHENY, 5. Kyle SULLIVAN, 6. Tyler McNUTT, 7. Pierce MACKINLAY-WEST, 8. Josh HRSTICH (Captain), 9. Jack COMBES, 10. Joe BARKER, 11. Harry SAYER, 12. Isaac CAMPBELL-WU, 13. Max THRELKELD, 14. Marcus RAMAGE, 15. Paul ALTIER

Reserves

16. Calum SCOTT; 17. Sunia FAMEITAU, 18. Keelan CHAPMAN, 19. James RIVERS* 20. James SAWYER, 21. Brendon NELL, 22. Matteo AVATABILE, 23. Matthew WORLEY

* Potential Hong Kong China Rugby debut

The initial HKCR touring squad was announced and can be seen here.

Chile Squad vs Hong Kong China – 2026 Nations Cup

Matías Garafulic will start at flyhalf, while Chile’s all-time leading points scorer, Santiago Videla, returns to the starting line-up at inside centre. 19-year-old Marco Alvano could debut off the bench for the Chileans.

Starting XV

1 Javier Carrasco, 2 Diego Escobar, 3 Iñaki Gurruchaga, 4 Santiago Pedrero, 5 Javier Eissmann, 6 Martín Sigren (capt.), 7 Clemente Saavedra, 8 Raimundo Martínez, 9 Lucas Berti, 10 Matías Garafulic, 11 Nicolás Saab, 12 Santiago Videla, 13 Domingo Saavedra, 14 Manuel Bustamante, 15 Iñaki Ayarza

Reserves

16 Salvador Lues, 17 Emilio Shea, 18 Matías Dittus, 19 Bruno Sáez, 20 Ernesto Tchimino, 21 Marcelo Torrealba, 22 Rodrigo Fernández, 23 Marco Alvano

How To Watch the World Rugby Nations Cup 2026?

You can visit the official website for more information on broadcast and streaming options. We know that in Asia, the matches are free to stream on RugbyPassTV.

Nations Cup 2026 News

• Hong Kong China Well Beaten by Samoa in Nations Cup 2026 Opener.
• Hong Kong China vs Samoa – Nations Cup 2026 Match Preview.
• World Rugby Nations Cup 2026 Fixtures.
• Match Official Appointments For 2026 Nations Championship & Nations Cup.