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Hong Kong could be next underdog to land shock spot at World Cup

Ball carrier Lewis Evans (c) of Newport Gwent Dragons during the Guinness Pro14 match between Southern Kings and Newport Gwent Dragons at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on March 02, 2018 in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. (Photo by Richard Huggard/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

Former Dragons forward Lewis Evans is expecting his Hong Kong team to face a ferocious assault from Tonga in their Asia/Pacific 1 play-off Rugby World Cup clash on the Sunshine Coast in Australia with victory earning a place in Pool B alongside champions South Africa, Ireland, Scotland and Romania in France next year.

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Rookie head coach Evans is taking heart from Tonga’s winless performances in the recent Pacific Nations Cup and the absence of stars such as Israel Folau, Malakai Fekitoa and Charles Piutau for various reasons.

The loser has one more chance of making the 2023 finals in France by winning November’s Final Qualification Tournament in Dubai for a spot in Pool C with Australia, Wales, Fiji and Georgia.

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Hong Kong earned their shot at Tonga after a narrow 23-21 win over South Korea, achieved despite having a player sent off in the first minute. It has been a disrupted period for Hong Kong with the pandemic hitting their union’s finances with the postponement of the Hong Kong Sevens.

A lack of matches has also been a major headache for Evans, who is taking charge of only his second game as head coach, having quit playing for the Welsh regional side a year ago after 15 seasons at Rodney Parade. Evans was originally appointed as assistant to Simon Amor but took over when the former England attack coach joined the Japan coaching setup.

Evans told Rugby Asia 247 : “It is daunting in some respects but this group of players are very excited to get out there and very keen to play against some of the best players in the world and it’s something some of these guys have been dreaming of for a few years. We know Tonga will be ferocious with the ball carrying and spot blitzing so we know we are going to feel that heat.

“Our first 40 minutes against Korea showed our potential and it demonstrated that we have the attacking ability in our team. The second half showed resilience when we had to dig in and the ability to stay switched on and belief.”

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RedWarrior 2 hours ago
The reason given by Steve Borthwick for latest England setback

So England are allowed to have a tsunami whinge fest about the ref but if an Irish fan points out that some decisions hurt Ireland also they are being petulant.

Honestly some English supporters are all politeness until they lose then the claws and fangs come out.

Ok here we go, not complaints just pointing out where England got away with roul play:

1: M Smiths headbutt on James Lowe that started the fracas with Stewart. If the ref spots that in time then thats a second yellow if not a straight red for Smith. Probably worth another 14 points with England gassed so a 41-10 final scoreline?

2: Itoje's several stamps on Hansens instep in a clear attempt to damage metatarsals. Straight red or if he is lucky, 10 in the bin.

3. Currys block on Baird to create a gap that Smith used to break the line. Penalty and possession for Ireland deep in England 22 with score at 0:0.

4: The correct decision for the Cunningham South dangerous tackle was a yellow. Lowe blew it by confronting him. The ref didn't give South or Lowe a yellow. The ref couldn't give Lowe a yellow anyway as the TMO would have informed him that m Smith alone started the previosu fracas and its not unreasonable for a player to react to being headbutted.


One last thing missing from English analysis

How is coming over to Dublin acting like you own the place, committing filthy cowardly off the ball cheap shots working out for you? I mean you clearly dont care that we think your team are a crowd of a$$holes but...... rugby wise, how is riling the Irish team to focus and get the best out of themselves against such unpleasant opposition working for you on the scoreboard?


Food for thought old boy!!!!

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