Band of brothers: Hong Kong youngsters ready to take chance against Kenya A in Nairobi friendly
U20 players Hugo Stiles, Finlay Field, Alexander Post, Liam Owens and Mike Parfitt included in travelling party as coach Leigh Jones seeks to add much-needed depth to his squad
Years of playing and training together will ensure Hong Kong’s young ‘band of brothers’ enter Tuesday’s friendly against Kenya in Nairobi confident of making an immediate impact.
For under-20 sevens captain Hugo Stiles, who is in the touring squad along with current or recent under-20 players Finlay Field, Alexander Post, Liam Owens and Mike Parfitt, the opportunity to tour with the senior 15s squad is a dream come true.
“I’ve grown up playing rugby with these guys,” he said. “To be invited in at the same time, we’ve almost got the same ideas.
“We’ve trained together for so long so we know each other like the back of our hands. It’s nice to go into it all together with a bit of confidence, have each others shoulders as the young bucks.”
Although the week-long stay in Kenya will be as much a learning experience as anything, the increasing level of commitment shown by Hong Kong’s young players augurs well for the future.
