Hong Kong “A” Team to play two Test matches against Chinese Taipei
May 18, 2008

The Hong Kong A Team will play two Test matches against Chinese Taipei at King’s Park Sports Ground on May 19 and 23, kick-off time at 7.15pm.

The Hong Kong A Team was selected from the second-best group of players in Hong Kong outside of the National Elite Squad.

“We selected them from the emerging and development teams. We have a handful of players who didn’t make the elite national team” said coach Kane Jury. “It was challenging to get the guys together due to exams, work commitments and injuries, but during the last two trainings things came together and it was a huge break.”

Even though the team hadn’t played together before, Jury was confident of winning.

“As with most teams who haven’t played together before, the first 20 minutes will be pretty tough. But I’m sure they will gel together and settle into it,” he said.

Team captain John Gbenda-Charles also commented: “Considering all the factors, including that fact that they have never played together before, the team has a very good chance of winning tonight. Our primary goal is to let the young guys come through and be competitive.”

Team manager Paul Renouf also said: “It is an integral and very important part of the overall plan for rugby player development in Hong Kong. It provides [national coach] John Walters and [assistant coach] Brian Higgins an indication of the depth of talent in rugby in Hong Kong and also assists in the identification of those players who have the ability and desire to play at the next level.”

The Hong Kong “A” team will also play against Claremont University, USA, at King’s Park on June 3.

The Hong Kong “A” squad (for first Test match on May 19):

1. John Hamilton (Vice-captain)
2. Luke Berry
3. Joe Chan
4. Koo Man-hi
5. Renaud Chauvanis
6. Graham Manchester
7. Will Wong
8. Andy Yuen
9. John Gbenda-Charles (Captain)
10. Max Woodward
11. Adam Raby
12. Ed Rolston
13. Mike Fung Kin-kei
14. Wan Kwok-kwong
15. Mike McKee

16. Alex Yuen
17. Lai Tsz-leung
18. Kenny Ng
19. Andrew Bridle
20. Charles Cheung
21. Niall Rowark
22. Tim Sutton