HKCR U20 ADVANCE TO 7TH/8TH PLAY-OFF AT U20 CHALLENGER CUP

Hong Kong China Rugby (HKCR) lost to Romania 22-29 in its third match of the World Rugby U20 Challenger Cup.  HKCR will play Namibia in the 7th 8th place playoff on 17 October. 

The selectors took the opportunity of a third match at the Challenger Cup to give more squad members an opportunity to gain experience at the elite edge of the junior game with several changes to both forwards and backs. The players responded well in what turned out to be a seesaw match with four lead changes before Romania pulled away with two late tries in the final ten minutes. 

Jack Joyce, who has been a standout for HKCR on tour, moved from centre to fly-half for Romania. The effort to get playmakers close to the ball paid off with Hong Kong again looking dangerous, creating long looping moves in attack throughout the first half.  The early pressure produced two kickable penalties for Hong Kong early on, with the second taken for posts as Joyce put his side ahead 3-0 after eight minutes.

Romania had its moments, but accuracy was a problem for them throughout the day, with numerous unforced errors and knock-ons keeping them from putting more points on the board, includng a sure try that was dropped on the line by winger Matei Bivol. He would make up for his effort by scoring a hattrick later in the game.

Hong Kong grew its margin to 10-0 with a maul try from an attacking lineout capped by hooker Morgan Hanson with Joyce adding the conversion.

After extending the lead, Hong Kong had a player sin-binned for an intentional knock-on. With a man advantage, Romania brought its devastatingly simple, hard-running rugby to bear with No.8 Valentin Dumatris a wrecking ball on his carries, dragging multiple defenders in every tackle. Some excellent teamwork eventually created space out wide for the speedy winger Bivol to get behind Hong Kong’s defence for his first try.

Romania collected a second score before half, with Dumantis proving too much for the defence from a five-metre Romanian scrum. The scrum was the only consistent and clear advantage for Romania on a day where their miscues conspired to keep them from scoring more. Dumantis’ try was converted and Romania had its first lead at 12-10 at the break. 

The second half was a see-saw affair with five tries combined as HKCR retook the lead twice only to be caught up by Romania in the final stretches.

Lock Fritz Mahn capped a fine effort at the U20 Challenger Cup 2026 with his try in the 52nd minute completing some great interplay work from co-captain Gabe Horberry who injected some good pace into Hong Kong’s attack after coming off the bench in the second half. 

Another standout player in the competition, flanker Liam Gordon, grabbed control of the match after the break, being omnipresent in attack and defence while exhorting his teammates.  Gordon created the break that set-up Mahn’s try, driving the ball to the Romania try-line after Horberry’s half-break. Mahn was able to finish on a short plunge pick-and-go with Joyce’s conversion returning the lead to Hong Kong, 17-12.

Romania once again replied quickly as they patiently built another attack that deposited  Bivol over the line for an overlap try. Romania missed the conversion leaving the scores drawn at 17-all with just over 20 minutes remaining.  

This time it was HKCR’s turn to dig deep in reply and they did in the 65th minute, capping an attacking lineout close to the Romanian line with a driving maul try that was finished by Mahn for his second on the day as Hong Kong retook the lead at 22-17.

HKCR helped put Romania back in scoring position with a few careless penalties down the stretch.  Assisted by the penalties, Romania were able to mirror-image Hong KOng’s score of minutes earlier as they claimed their own driving maul try. Romania’s conversion was good and they retook the lead at 24-22 inside the final ten minutes.

Romania closed out the game ruthlessly, controlling the ball and bringing their heavy ball carriers into position to run the clock out.  Bivol was again the beneficiary of patient team rugby as he broke the defensive line to score Romania’s final try, adding insult to injury for as HKCR fell to a 29-22 loss.

“Obviously disappointed with the result, but I can’t fault the effort from the boys. We had some guys on debut but they really stepped up. We fought for 80 minutes but Romania just took it out in the end and got the win. We’ve got one game left now and nothing to lose. Everything just has to go into this last game. We’ve got just one job: win that last game,” said HKCR co-captain Kai Tiltman.

Hong Kong China Rugby now advance to the 7th-8th place play-off versus Namibia on Saturday 17 October (kick off at 2100 HKG time).  Matches are available to watch on RugbyPass TV.