1
Kowloon and Herbert Smith Freehills HKCC are squaring off in the Rugby Pass Game of the Week. Watch free and live here, or in the story below.
ADVERTISEMENT
After an action-packed round seven that saw Bloomberg HK Scottish join Societe Generale Valley at the top of the table, round eight of the HKRU RugbyPass.com Men’s Premiership delivers three matches with plenty riding on them.
Natixis HKFC hosts a Scottish side in a game it must win if is to stay in touch with the ladder-leaders (16.30), while Borrelli Walsh USRC Tigers travel to Happy Valley with the unenviable task of tackling a Valley side coming off a loss in a 15.00 kick-off. Kowloon and Herbert Smith Freehills HKCC meet at Aberdeen in the RugbyPass.com Game of the Week at 16.30 (Hong Kong time)
HKFC coach Phil Bailey knows it will be hard for his charges to flick the switch against the in-form Scottish after nearly a month without a game. After the two-week international window, HKFC’s game against HKCC last week was postponed due to the Cricketers having availability issues in the front row.
“It’s too long between drinks now and it’s pretty tough to miss another game,” he said. “A little bit of continuity had started to build and then two weeks was a good break, but now when we play it’s going to be close to a month. It’s not ideal. It’s very hard to switch back on straight away.”
Bailey has his work cut out trying to get his side up for a clash with a rampaging Scottish that will require a full 80 minutes of focus.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Scottish have just got two new guys in from the Chiefs academy [Josh Dowsing and Lars Morrice] and they are two pretty handy players that add to their depth. They are going from strength to strength and are probably the in-form side,” he said.
HKFC has also benefitted from the influx of five Gallagher Chiefs development players into the Premiership and its addition, Nathan De Thierry, will play for the first time this weekend.
“He will slot in at either 10 or 15,” Bailey said, “He’s a good kid, very professional and very skilful.”
Kowloon will look to continue its giant-killing run against an HKCC side that is also short on match practice, with ‘Loon coach James Scaysbrook hopeful of more of the same play that brought Valley unstuck last weekend.
ADVERTISEMENT
“It was a good team performance, we are hoping we can continue the momentum,” he said.
Former England international Olly Barkley started for Kowloon for the first time against Valley and had an instant impact, giving Scaysbrook an experienced option in his backs.
HKCC are currently nine points adrift of the top sides but with a game in hand and Scaysbrook knows what to expect from an outfit that will be eager to notch its first win since 22 October.
“They have got a really strong set piece and exciting backs that can burn you from anywhere, so we are well aware of their strengths,” Scaysbrook said.
Tigers are bottom and will need to find something special against Valley if they hope to notch their third win of the season, however coach Craig Stewart is confident that his side is close to clicking.
“We’re looking forward to this weekend,” Stewart said. “After our second half performance against Scottish last weekend I’m optimistic that we’re not far from turning things around. We’re running out of time and I’m optimistic that we’re going to do that shortly. Valley will be stinging a bit from being beaten by Kowloon so they will be well pumped up and we know we will have to be on our game.”
Last time these sides met the margin was only 11 points in favour of Valley and Stewart feels his group matches up reasonably well against the four-time and reigning grand champions.
“I always think we are competitive with them but we have got to shake that mindset of just being competitive,” Stewart said. “Kowloon has provided a good blueprint that shows Valley are beatable and if you put them under a bit of pressure they are like anyone else, they are susceptible to leaking points. We have just got to go in with the right mindset.”
