Asia Rugby Championship: Hong Kong retain crown with ‘statement’ performance

Head coach Andrew Douglas said Hong Kong “made a statement” in their 67-7 thumping of overmatched South Korea on Saturday.

The victory, inspired by a fabulous Luke van der Smit hat-trick, and the near-flawless boot of Paul Altier, clinched Hong Kong’s fifth straight Asia Rugby Championship title.

South Korea’s timid, ill-disciplined performance nonetheless generated concerns over the level of competition for Hong Kong in their own region.

Douglas acknowledged Korea would be “very disappointed with their campaign”, and questioned whether the rout was “the best preparation” for next month’s three-match South American tour.

“We can only play who is in front of us, and have done all we can,” Douglas said.

Hong Kong were dominant from the outset, and led when Tom Hill crossed inside two minutes.