Elation arrived through a process of deduction when the Hong Kong China rugby squad assembled at the upscale Soho House venue in Sheung Wan to discover their Rugby World Cup 2027 destiny. After earning qualification for their first-ever Rugby World Cup appearance in July. Hong Kong China found themselves seeded in the fourth band.
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Because the remaining vacancies in pools F through A were being allocated in reverse. The debutants became one of the last two teams whose marker had not yet been drawn. With hosts Australia already confirmed in pool A, suspense built until Romania’s selection for pool B finally prompted a wave of cheers. It meant the Dragons were officially set to face the Wallabies on the global stage.
A similar deduction-fuelled celebration unfolded moments later. And when the Springboks were eventually placed in pool B. The only major band-one powerhouse still unassigned was the All Blacks. That sealed it, Hong Kong China would also confront the haka in their historic campaign. For the squad, the realization marked another milestone in their rapid rise onto rugby’s biggest stage.
There’s definitely a strong buzz around the room, Hong Kong China head coach Logan Asplin remarked. We’re aiming to become everyone’s second-favorite team. The opportunity to represent Hong Kong China 15s for the first time at a Rugby World Cup is enormous. Earlier this morning, I said this would be my ideal draw.
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Personal Stakes Rise for Hong Kong China in Rugby World Cup Draw
For Asplin and several New Zealand expatriates within the Dragons’ ranks. Securing a match-up with the All Blacks on the Wednesday schedule carried added emotional weight. Yet for four Australian-developed players currently representing Hong Kong China, the announcement delivered an even more personal dream.
The rare chance to compete against the Wallabies in front of friends, relatives. And familiar faces during what is effectively a home Rugby World Cup in Australia in 2027. Those four Australian connections include former Eastwood premiership center Tom Hill. Ex-Norths teammates Guy Spanton and Dylan McCann, and Australian under-18 lock Lachy Doheny.
Hill and fullback Spanton were central figures in Hong Kong’s 2022 bid, when they narrowly missed qualifying for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, and veteran inside center Hill once again played a crucial role this July when the Dragons defeated South Korea to claim the Asian championship and secure their spot in the newly expanded 24-team 2027 tournament.
Most people believe the highly regarded Sydney forward, Doheny, will make his official debut soon. He turned down an academy deal from the Waratahs and the possibility of a future Super Rugby career to chase a World Cup pathway with Hong Kong China. His decision has been widely viewed as a bold step that underscores his long-term promise to the Dragons’ rising program.
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Young Talent Backs Heritage Route to Rugby World Cup Final
Following a standout junior résumé that included representing Australia under-18s in 2023, competing for the NSW under-19s in 2024, and playing first grade for Eastwood in 2025, the 193-centimetre Oakhill College graduate was introduced to Asplin midway through the year. Not long after, he received an offer for a centralized contract with the Hong Kong China Rugby Union, presenting him with a life-shaping crossroads.
Doheny’s mother, Catherine, was born in Hong Kong before relocating to Sydney as a teenager.
I’m half Hongkongese, as some people would describe it, Doheny explained. So I’m fortunate to have that family eligibility in my corner. It really wasn’t a simple decision. I took a lot of time to weigh it up, and eventually I said yes.
At 20 years old, and with the 2027 World Cup coming up so quickly, the possibility of playing at a World Cup at 22 just felt like an opportunity far too big to ignore. A few different people encouraged me to stay in Australia and see where things went. But I kept thinking that if I didn’t take this chance now, I might never get another shot at playing in a World Cup. I didn’t want to look back and regret it.
Former NRL coach and current Eastwood director of rugby Anthony Griffin said Doheny possesses enormous potential. His greatest strength is his attitude, Griffin said. He trains relentlessly, he’s naturally gifted with his height and physical presence, but what stood out most was his work ethic and mindset qualities, Griffin believes could one day carry him onto the stage of a Rugby World Cup Final.
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