This time next year the Rugby World Cup will be looming large. Australia’s big party kicks off on 1 October 2027 when the host nation will be intent on replicating the feelgood factor generated by their eventful 42-38 win against the world champion Springboks on Sunday. If the Wallabies can maintain their improvement under Les Kiss, the levels of local interest will rise exponentially.
A resurgent Australia could also have significant implications for England, their potential quarter-final opponents, as well as New Zealand. Should the Wallabies somehow find a way past the All Blacks in Sydney on the second weekend of the pool stages it would catapult the Kiwis into England’s side of the draw and rip up a lot of advance calculations.
Watching the chaotic last quarter in Perth, though, it was hard not to think about another nation with the World Cup already on their minds. Because between now and the opening night in the same striking stadium on the banks of the Swan River there is an argument that the team whose fortunes will shape the tournament’s early narrative will not be the ones wearing gold.
Even the biggest global events in professional sport are only as strong as their weakest links which, this time, will include Hong Kong China, set to participate in their first World Cup. The Asian qualifiers, 24th in the world rankings, will meet both the Wallabies and the All Blacks in Pool A following the competition’s expansion to 24 teams. Yes, the knockout phases should be epic but where’s the fun in mismatches and totally outgunned opponents? Unless, of course, you are a Hong Kong player awaiting the biggest week of your sporting life.
Take their full-back Paul Altier, for example, who was in a London pub watching New Zealand and South Africa smash the living daylights out of each other on TV earlier this month. “We were joking about how I should be taking notes and analysing the All Blacks,” he tells the Breakdown. “We’ve got a few South Africans and Kiwis in our squad ... we’re more used to watching it as fans.”
Even for a talented athlete like Altier, who kicked the winning last-gasp penalty to help his side beat Uruguay 42-40 in Montevideo in July, it will be a significant step up. His most recent league rugby action came in last season’s Champ in the colours of Richmond, for whom Hong Kong’s hooker, Alexander Post, has also been a longtime stalwart.
The 30-year-old has won a Varsity Match with Oxford University but this is a very different kettle of Asian-steamed fish. “Talking about it genuinely gives me goosebumps, even in 30-degree heat,” says Post, aka the “Postmaster General” to his friends at the Athletic Ground. “Opening the World Cup against Australia is what you dream of as a kid. Then, if selected, potentially facing an All Black haka? They’re special occasions for anyone, let alone little old Hong Kong.”
But how “special” will it feel in the event of 100-point margins or, worse, someone getting badly injured? The good news is that Hong Kong, traditionally more associated with hosting the world’s leading sevens teams, are trying to give themselves the best possible chance. Post, a financial analyst, and the rest of a cosmopolitan squad have been professionally contracted by Hong Kong China Rugby and will face higher-standard opponents over the coming six months. In November they are due to play Nations Cup games in Europe against the United States and Canada prior to a home fixture against Tonga. In February there is a scheduled tour to Australia with potential matches against their Super Rugby reserve teams and the national U20 side.
The highly respected Toby Booth is also back as lineout and defence coach alongside head coach Andrew Douglas, a popular development with the players. “The boys have a lot of respect for him ... he’s been nothing but good for the team so far in terms of driving standards”, says Altier, who also played in France – the land of his parents – for Chambéry in Nationale 1 prior to joining Richmond.
“I haven’t had any Prem experience, unfortunately, but, if I had to guess, I’d say the level of Hong Kong is closer to a top four Champ side. If, for example, we played Worcester it would be a pretty close, competitive game. [But] I don’t think the Champ gets the credit it deserves ... it’s a very competitive league. It toughens you up and prepares you for international rugby.
“We know it’s going to be a big step up to play the All Blacks and Australia but we’re happy to take that challenge on. Those are the kind of games you dream of playing. It doesn’t take a lot to get us out of bed in the mornings at the moment. The goal is to have Hong Kong as people’s second team to support. We’ll take all the attention we can get.”
The hard-working Post also has a defiant message for the inevitable doomsayers. “I say, ‘Bring it on.’ I’m sure people have written us off and I’ve no problem with that. But I bet every single rugby player you ask would take your hand off to play against the All Blacks or open the World Cup. I know everyone in the squad will be raring to go no matter who we’re playing against.
“Letting the minnows have an opportunity against the big boys is only good for the game. I made my debut for Hong Kong over 10 years ago and throughout all that time we’ve spoken about wanting to play internationals against people who are better than us and will help us improve. No disrespect to Malaysia or Korea but when we play them and win by 70 or 90 points it’s not ideal. There’s definitely scope to help the game flourish in Asia, especially in Hong Kong.”
Whether mainland China, with its estimated 1.4bn population, ever truly embraces rugby union remains to be seen. But, in the meantime, spare a thought for the Postmaster General and his teammates as they await the challenge of their lives. One man’s no contest is another’s David v Goliath fairytale, regardless of the bookmakers’ spread.
Referee Andrea Piardi on the phone to the TMO during the match between Australia and South Africa. Photograph: Travis Hayto/AAP
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