Free Live Stream: Kowloon vs Herbert Smith Freehills HKCC
Kowloon and Herbert Smith Freehills HKCC are squaring off in the Rugby Pass Game of the Week. Watch free and live here, or in the story below.
After an action-packed round seven that saw Bloomberg HK Scottish join Societe Generale Valley at the top of the table, round eight of the HKRU RugbyPass.com Men’s Premiership delivers three matches with plenty riding on them.
Natixis HKFC hosts a Scottish side in a game it must win if is to stay in touch with the ladder-leaders (16.30), while Borrelli Walsh USRC Tigers travel to Happy Valley with the unenviable task of tackling a Valley side coming off a loss in a 15.00 kick-off. Kowloon and Herbert Smith Freehills HKCC meet at Aberdeen in the RugbyPass.com Game of the Week at 16.30 (Hong Kong time)
HKFC coach Phil Bailey knows it will be hard for his charges to flick the switch against the in-form Scottish after nearly a month without a game. After the two-week international window, HKFC’s game against HKCC last week was postponed due to the Cricketers having availability issues in the front row.
“It’s too long between drinks now and it’s pretty tough to miss another game,” he said. “A little bit of continuity had started to build and then two weeks was a good break, but now when we play it’s going to be close to a month. It’s not ideal. It’s very hard to switch back on straight away.”
Bailey has his work cut out trying to get his side up for a clash with a rampaging Scottish that will require a full 80 minutes of focus.
“Scottish have just got two new guys in from the Chiefs academy [Josh Dowsing and Lars Morrice] and they are two pretty handy players that add to their depth. They are going from strength to strength and are probably the in-form side,” he said.
HKFC has also benefitted from the influx of five Gallagher Chiefs development players into the Premiership and its addition, Nathan De Thierry, will play for the first time this weekend.
“He will slot in at either 10 or 15,” Bailey said, “He’s a good kid, very professional and very skilful.”
Kowloon will look to continue its giant-killing run against an HKCC side that is also short on match practice, with ‘Loon coach James Scaysbrook hopeful of more of the same play that brought Valley unstuck last weekend.
“It was a good team performance, we are hoping we can continue the momentum,” he said.
Former England international Olly Barkley started for Kowloon for the first time against Valley and had an instant impact, giving Scaysbrook an experienced option in his backs.
HKCC are currently nine points adrift of the top sides but with a game in hand and Scaysbrook knows what to expect from an outfit that will be eager to notch its first win since 22 October.
“They have got a really strong set piece and exciting backs that can burn you from anywhere, so we are well aware of their strengths,” Scaysbrook said.
Tigers are bottom and will need to find something special against Valley if they hope to notch their third win of the season, however coach Craig Stewart is confident that his side is close to clicking.
“We’re looking forward to this weekend,” Stewart said. “After our second half performance against Scottish last weekend I’m optimistic that we’re not far from turning things around. We’re running out of time and I’m optimistic that we’re going to do that shortly. Valley will be stinging a bit from being beaten by Kowloon so they will be well pumped up and we know we will have to be on our game.”
Last time these sides met the margin was only 11 points in favour of Valley and Stewart feels his group matches up reasonably well against the four-time and reigning grand champions.
“I always think we are competitive with them but we have got to shake that mindset of just being competitive,” Stewart said. “Kowloon has provided a good blueprint that shows Valley are beatable and if you put them under a bit of pressure they are like anyone else, they are susceptible to leaking points. We have just got to go in with the right mindset.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Good luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
37 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
37 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
37 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
37 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
37 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
37 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
37 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to comments