Hong Kong ‘must be brave against Japan’

Head coach Andy Hall has called for Hong Kong to take a lesson from the adventurous style of South Korea and give it their best shot against Japan at Aberdeen Stadium on Saturday.

It will be a daunting task with the Asian champions warning they want to wrap up the Asia Rugby Championship in style by winning well.

"Look at the Koreans, they weren't afraid to throw everything they had at Japan and that can rattle the Japanese. We must not go into our shells and we must have a go at them," said Hall as Hong Kong bid to hang on to their position as the second-best team in Asia.

South Korea lost both their games against Japan but scored 40 points including four tries against the Brave Blossoms. They even led Japan briefly in the first match, which they lost 56-30.

"Korea has shown that Japan is susceptible [to pressure] and we have try-scorers across the park so we are going to have a go at them," Hall said.

"But our primary focus must be on our defence. Last week against Korea our tackle completion rate was a bit low allowing them across the gain line too many times. This is crucial and we know we need to improve in this area. If we do this, the result we need will take care of itself."

Fly-half Niall Rowark, who starts for the first time, and the back row led by skipper and blindside flanker Nick Hewson will have to shoulder the responsibility of leading the attack.