HKCR SET FOR FACE-OFF WITH CANADA IN NATIONS CUP 2026

[Hong Kong, China, 12 November 2026]:  After pushing the highest ranked team in the Nations Cup to the limit in round 4, Hong Kong China Rugby (HKCR) men’s XV will be out to turn another corner in their Rugby World Cup 2027 build up campaign when they take on Canada in round five of the World Rugby Nations Cup on Saturday.

Head coach Andrew Douglas and the selectors have largely kept faith in the group that ran USA close last weekend in a 28-26 loss that saw Hong Kong China leading up until the final minutes of the match.

Twenty-one of the matchday 23 have been retained for Canda, including 13 of the 15 starters from the USA match. 

In the forwards pack, Callum McCullough and Dana Fourie have switched spots at flanker, with HKCR sevens representative McCullough on the bench while Fourie starts against Canada. 

An unchanged tight five of front row Sunia Fameitau, hooker Alexander Post, and Faizal Solomona Penesa and the young locking combo of James Rivers and Max Murphy will again provide the base for Hong Kong’s attacks, especially after doing a good job of blunting the USA Eagles scrum last weekend.

Captain and no.8 Josh Hrstich anchor the backrow with Fourie and Jack Bartlett, who conjured up a beautiful try from halfway against the Eagles. Bartlett has been a standout on tour after being omitted from the summer campaign.

Two changes in the backs see former sevens captain Seb Brien replaced by Paul Altier on the wing, while Tom Hill who came on from the bench versus USA, gives way to Bedford centurion Matthew Worley in the subs.

Scrumhalf Jack Combes pairs with flyhalf Nathan De Thierry, who has impressed on tour after returning from Lisfranc injury that sidelined him for the summer tests. 

Another standout on tour, Isaac Campbell-Wu, gets a third straight start at inside centre with Marcus Ramage, who scored a great charge down try against USA, joining in at outside centre.  Harry Sayers and Hong Kong China U20s representative Altier are on the wing with fellow Hong Kong age grade standout Dylan McCann earning another start at fullback after a good performance against USA, including striking two late penalties in the match.

Canada are presently ranked 21st in the world with HKCR ranked 24th at present. 

Canada have had mixed results to date in the Nations Cup, drawing with Spain, beating Zimbabwe and losing against Portugal and the other undefeated entry in the Nations Cup 2026, Pool 2 leaders Georgia last weekend. Canada beat USA 19-16 in September’s Pacific Nations Cup in Japan.

The Canada fixture is Hong Kong China’s final away test of 2026, but Hong Kong’s hometown rugby heroes will have a rare chance to play non-Asian competition at home later this month when they face Tonga.

World Class Rugby Returns to Hong Kong on 21 November

The finale of the Nations Cup will see HKCR host Tonga on 21 Nov. at the Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground. Fans can purchase tickets via the HKCR fanzone.  Reserved seating for the matches is HK$250, with Adult prices at $180, Students at $140, Children at $100.  Registered HKCR club members are eligible for a HK$50 discount across all ticket classes. 

Hong Kong China Rugby Nations Cup Squad vs Canada. 13 Nov 2026

1. Sunia FAMEITAU; 2. Alex POST; 3. Faizal SOLOMONA-PENESA; 4. James RIVERS 5. Maximilian MURHPY; 6. Jack BARTLETT; 7. Dana FOURIE; 8. Josh HRSTICH (Captain); 9. Jack COMBES; 10. Nathan De THIERRY; 11. Harry SAYERS; 12. Isaac CAMPBELL-WU; 13. Marcus RAMAGE; 14. Paul ALTIER;15. Dylan MCCANN; 16. Harry BARON; 17. Thomas CONCU; 18. Keelan CHAPMAN; 19. Lachlan DOHENY; 20. Callum MCCULLOUGH; 21. CHUI Wai Lap 22. Joe BARKER 23. Matthew WORLEY.  Coach: Alexander DOUGLAS; Manager: Charles CHEUNG.