'There were questions about who we are and whether we deserve to be here'

Hong Kong China hailed the biggest result in the nation’s rugby history after an astonishing 42-40 comeback victory over Uruguay in Montevideo, a win that secured their first-ever World Rugby Nations Cup triumph and saw them defeat the world No.17 side on home soil.

Having trailed 26-13 at half-time and 33-20 early in the second half, Hong Kong produced a stunning fightback before Paul Altier landed an 81st-minute penalty to snatch victory.

Captain Josh Hrstich said the result was the reward for weeks of belief and hard work.

“We are delighted. It has been a tough few weeks for us, searching for that performance that we can really hang our hats on and show the rugby world what we can do.

“There were questions about who we are and whether we deserve to be here, and I think today we showed the world that we are a team to be reckoned with when we turn up.”

World Rugby Nations Cup

Pool A

P

W

L

D

PF

PA

PD

BP T

BP-7

BP

Total

1

USA

3

3

0

0

14

2

Chile

3

2

1

0

10

3

Samoa

3

1

2

0

7

4

Tonga

3

1

2

0

7

5

Uruguay

3

0

2

1

7

6

Canada

3

1

1

1

7

Pool B

P

W

L

D

PF

PA

PD

BP T

BP-7

BP

Total

1

Georgia

3

3

0

0

14

2

Portugal

3

2

1

0

12

3

Spain

3

1

1

1

9

4

Romania

3

1

1

1

9

5

Hong Kong China

3

1

2

0

5

6

Zimbabwe

3

0

3

0

2

Head coach Logan Asplin described the performance as a landmark moment for the programme.

“I had a really good feeling about today. We had a good edge coming in.

“Would I have liked to have that last 15 minutes of the first half? Probably not, but it is one thing to go out into a lead and it is another thing to be able to chase it and to show that we can play from behind as well as play from in front.

“As a holistic response, this one is the biggest in Hong Kong China Rugby history and it is really important that we celebrate that.”

Hong Kong had briefly led 13-5 in the first half after hooker Alex Post capitalised on a Uruguay lineout error, but the hosts responded strongly. A yellow card for Lachlan Doheny proved costly, with Uruguay scoring twice during the flanker’s absence to take a 26-13 advantage into the break.

When Uruguay extended their lead with another try shortly after half-time, the challenge appeared overwhelming. Instead, Hong Kong mounted one of the greatest comebacks in their history.

Matt Worley’s try ignited the revival before Marcus Ramage crossed on the hour mark. Hong Kong then turned down a straightforward shot at goal in favour of an attacking lineout, a decision that resulted in a penalty try and a one-point lead.

Brendon Nell added another score, yet there was still late drama as Uruguay reclaimed the lead with time almost up before Altier’s decisive intervention.

For Asplin, the victory was even more significant given the circumstances.

“To take the 17th-ranked team in the world down on their home pitch is something we talked about coming in.

“We are massively proud.

“To be in week four of a tour, and in the third of three high pressure games, and to produce a performance like that, and with the character shown to be able to bounce back from deficit, I am just incredibly proud of our resilience, physicality, and how the boys put Uruguay under pressure, against a team that have been to multiple World Cups playing their third game at home.”

Altier’s winning penalty capped a superb individual display, with the full-back contributing 15 points from the tee and scoring Hong Kong’s first try of the second-half resurgence.

Asplin reserved special praise for the match-winner.

“One of the standouts of the tour.

“He showed some massive courage to not only win that penalty in contact in the air, but then to kick the points.

“I speak to Paul often about how I love his competitiveness and how he steps up in big moments like that.

“He is one hell of an individual, not only as a player, but as a competitor and as a man.

“He is a guy we obviously value really deeply in our group.

“He has had an amazing tour off the boot, but also with his contributions around the field and creating for others.

“He is going to be a massive piece for us to build around heading into the World Cup.”

The result was also validation for a squad that used 31 different players across the Nations Cup and has been building towards Rugby World Cup 2027 qualification.

Asplin believes the win demonstrates just how far the group has come.

“I am excited to see the progress that this group has made.

“This is a really measurable way of seeing it; to be able to win a game like that in high pressure stakes was really, really big for our group.

“We had never been under this type of pressure before.

“To play three consecutive big tests plus travel plus be away, you learn a lot about people and I have loved the calmness in our approach this week.

“I want to be a team that is hard to beat, a team that is hard to put away, and a team that is hard to play against, and I think today we really showed that.

“I am proud of who we are, and I think Hong Kong and China can be proud as well.”