World Cup Hosts Australia Prepare for Hong Kong China

On 1 October 2027, 61,000 fans filled Perth Stadium, joining millions more worldwide as two teams completed their final warm-ups for the Rugby World Cup opener. Hosts Australia, known for their strong rugby legacy and featuring as twice world champions, found themselves in a familiar setting. In stark contrast, their opponents Hong Kong China faced the event with a sense of novelty, marking their debut at the World Cup. For players like Jack Combes and Alex Post, the match represented the pinnacle of their sporting careers.

Reflecting on their journey, Combes, a scrum-half, shared, "I think the whole run-up to the qualification process was a dream in itself. To qualify for a men’s first World Cup was huge." With glimmers of excitement, Post added, "If you asked anyone as a kid if you could open the World Cup in that first game in a year’s time, it’s genuinely amazing. A dream come true."

Hong Kong China were drawn in Pool A, facing formidable opponents including the hosts and rugby powerhouses Chile and the All Blacks. Despite daunting competition, Post remained undeterred, stating, "If you’re going to do it, do it properly. Why not?"

Until recently, Post had played in The Championship and had never reached the Premier League. At 31, he called this absence from the top division unfortunate but emphasized the toughness of the Championship. He transitioned to a full-time professional environment with Hong Kong China, which allowed him to combine being an athlete with pursuing a master’s degree at the University of Oxford. His focus on rugby intensified as he remarked, "I can probably do twice as much training now with Hong Kong than I could with Richmond."

Combes, now 29, experienced a winding path to professional sports, having spent time teaching and recovering from injury before becoming a full-time athlete at 25. He expressed gratitude for this shift, saying, "Going into a full-time environment where you have the resources and training time is necessary for what we’re facing."

Hong Kong’s long history in rugby dates back seven decades and they recently qualified for the World Cup by defeating Korea 70-22 in the Asia Rugby Championship. Now, with a fresh mindset, Combes noted, "We’ve got nothing to lose... ‘Be memorable’ is the phrase that coaches have been talking about."

Both players hope to inspire future generations. As Combes shared, "But I think the game’s growing within local schools. Hopefully, we can inspire the next generation." With Toby Booth from London Irish now coaching the team, Hong Kong China aims to prove their worth on the global stage. The challenge would intensify as they prepare to face the USA, Canada, and Tonga in the Nations Cup next month, all countries with World Cup histories.

As the World Cup approaches, Post noted the pressure from friends and family to perform, emphasizing their underdog status. "I think our string of games leading into the World Cup is looked over, but that works in our favour - we’re just a bit fearless," Combes concluded.