Hong Kong rugby’s stars of future ready for 55th New Year’s Day youth tournament
- Under-19 and under-16 matches will pit Hong Kong-based talent against overseas-based counterparts in a return to the event’s traditional format
- Extra interest in the boys’ under-19 match after the city’s victory in the Asian championship gave them a place in World Rugby Under-20 Trophy
On the heels of Hong Kong’s victory at the Asia Rugby Men’s U19 Championship, age-grade action is to return to the city on Sunday with the 55th New Year’s Day youth tournament.
The event will revert to its long-standing format of Hong Kong-based against overseas-based players when it kicks off 2023 at its usual venue of Hong Kong Football Club, after Covid-19 border restrictions reduced the involvement of offshore talent in recent years.
There will be added interest in the boys’ under-19 match, which will serve as an additional talent identification opportunity after Hong Kong’s regional triumph this month qualified them for the World Rugby Under-20 Trophy in Kenya next July.
Given continued pandemic-related disruption to local rugby, the Hong Kong Rugby Union ran an open nomination process for players, coaches and parents to put forward potential New Year’s Day representatives in under-16 and under-19 age groups.