Advertisement
League of Ireland
Horse Racing
TV Listings
GAA Fixtures
The Video Review
Sport meets news, current affairs, society & pop culture
Rugby Weekly Extra
Dive into all the news and analysis 3 times a week
The Football Family
Weekly insights from the week’s big talking points
Advertisement
More Stories
The Webb Ellis Cup in Sydney ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.Alamy Stock Photo
FreeNew guys
Hong Kong qualify for Rugby World Cup for first time
The six-in-a-row Asian champions will compete in Australia in 2027.
9.57am, 5 Jul 2025
Share options
HONG KONG QUALIFIED for the Rugby World Cup for the first time in their history on Saturday as they romped past South Korea 70-22 in Incheon to become Asia champions.
The victory gave Hong Kong a sixth consecutive Asia Rugby Championship and with it a place in the expanded 24-team tournament to be hosted by Australia in 2027.
Hong Kong, globally famous for its annual Sevens tournament, will now rub shoulders in the 15-a-side showpiece with the likes of world champions South Africa and New Zealand’s All Blacks.
“It’s pretty overwhelming to be honest,” said No.8 Josh Hrstich, the Hong Kong captain.
“Just super, super proud of our playing group, our management, coaching staff and people behind the scenes. There’s a lot that goes into making a team successful.
“Thanks to everyone who has supported us and we’re going to need them for the upcoming years because it’s going to get pretty special.”
Advertisement
With Asian powerhouses Japan one of 12 teams who had already qualified by virtue of finishing in the top three of their pool in the 2023 World Cup, a berth was up for grabs for the continental champions.
Hong Kong not only earned regional honours but also made history as only the second Asian team, after Japan, to qualify for a men’s Rugby World Cup.
Hong Kong finished comfortably on top of the four-team table after wins against the UAE (43-10), Sri Lanka (78-7) and South Korea in the past month.
The United Arab Emirates finished second in the table and remain in contention for qualification.
They will face the runners-up of this month’s Rugby Africa Cup in a play-off on July 26.
The winner of that encounter will progress to a final qualification tournament in Dubai in November.
– © AFP 2025
Viewcomments
Send Tip or Correction
Embed this post
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Email “Hong Kong qualify for Rugby World Cup for first time”.
Recipient’s Email
Feedback on “Hong Kong qualify for Rugby World Cup for first time”.
Your Feedback
Your Email (optional)
Report a Comment
Please select the reason for reporting this comment.
Please give full details of the problem with the comment…
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic.
Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy
before taking part.
Leave a Comment
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Damaging the good reputation of someone, slander, or libel.
Racism or Hate speech
An attack on an individual or group based on religion, race, gender, or beliefs.
Trolling or Off-topic
An attempt to derail the discussion.
Inappropriate language
Profanity, obscenity, vulgarity, or slurs.
Advertising, phishing, scamming, bots, or repetitive posts.
Please provide additional information
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
Leave a commentcancel
Access to the comments facility has been disabled for this user
View our policy
⚠️ Duplicate comment
Post Comment
have your say
Or create a free account to join the discussion
News in 60 seconds
New South Wales Waratahs v British & Irish Lions, Australia Tour 2025
cast your vote
Poll: Who will win the All-Ireland SHC semi-final between Cork and Dublin?
Freefortuitious
Chelsea reach Club World Cup semi-finals as late own goal downs Palmeiras
FreePodcastThe 42 GAA Weekly
The frenzy and bite of hurling’s ‘festival weekend’: Cork v Dublin, Tipp v Kilkenny previews
Freeall-time low
Wales lose 18th consecutive Test after late capitulation against Eddie Jones’ Japan
Freejack boyle
‘It takes a camp or two to get used to it. It can definitely be daunting’
Hurling semi-final
Absolute warfare: The return of Kilkenny and Tipperary after six years
Declan Bogue
Irish athlete Ciara Mageean diagnosed with cancer
Liverpool postpone pre-season return following death of forward Diogo Jota
Thomas Partey
Former Arsenal footballer Thomas Partey charged for rape and sexual assault
Late heartbreak as Ireland fall short to Italy at World Rugby U20 Championship
more from us
Investigates
Daft.ie Property Magazine
Allianz Home Magazine
The 42 Sports Magazine
TG4 Entertainment Magazine
Money Diaries
The Journal TV
Journal Media
Advertise With Us
About FactCheck
Our Network
FactCheck Knowledge Bank
Terms & Legal Notices
Terms of Use
Cookies & Privacy
Advertising
Competition
more from us
TV Listings
GAA Fixtures
The Video Review
Journal Media
Advertise With Us
Our Network
The Journal
FactCheck Knowledge Bank
Terms & Legal Notices
Terms of Use
Cookies & Privacy
Advertising
Competition
© 2025 Journal Media Ltd
Terms of Use
Cookies & Privacy
Advertising
Competition
Switch to Desktop
Switch to Mobile
The 42 supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at https://www.presscouncil.ie, PH: (01) 6489130, Lo-Call 1800 208 080 or email: mailto:info@presscouncil.ie
Report an error, omission or problem:
Your Email (optional)
Create Email Alert
Create an email alert based on the current article
Email Address
One email every morning
As soon as new articles come online
Sign in or create
a free account
To continue reading create a free account
Or sign into an existing account