2018 was a bumper year that saw us break more new ground and we’re sure 2019 will see us once again increase the number of players playing rugby league and tag.
Let’s quickly recap what we achieved last year:
Our taggers represented Hong Kong in the 2018 Tag World Cup where two Hong Kong teams participated, one in the mixed open and another in the men’s open. These were Hong Kong’s first ever tag internationals;
We were the first Asia federation to host women’s rugby league, the Northern Hemisphere being crowned 9s champions;
During an eleven day period, the Hong Kong rugby league team somehow squeezed in four fully sanctioned test matches in the Emerging Nations World Championship in Sydney;
The leagueys registered their first ever test match victory, a mightily impressive game against Japan in Tokyo. A game that will live long in the memories of those who played and travelled over to watch it. No one remembers what happened after the match;
The annual HKRL 9s saw the Tonga Development team take home the James Hall trophy who beat Hong Kong’s own Pacific Toa in a great, knife edged game;
AIS Hashtags walloped the Tag Buffaloos to take the HKTag Super League title after only being formed a year ago;
The rugby league summer Super League was increased to four teams with Pacific Toa beating all comers to be crowned champions.
Rugby League Schedule
4 May, the fifth instalment of the HKRL 9s. Once again we expect to host overseas and local teams. Last year saw an incredible final between Pacific Toa and the Tonga Development team, can a Hong Kong team finally wrestle the James Hall trophy back and keep it in Hong Kong?
Super League III. This year kicks off on 25 May with the Grand Final on 20 July. And this year we take rugby league to new places, round four will be hosted at Tin Shui Wai on Saturday 22 June.
Battle of Origin. HK Islands will defend their title against Kowloon & New Territories at King’s Park on Saturday 15 June.
HK Residents are back. The Hong Kong Residents are back and will travel to Thailand in November to compete in the ASEAN 9s. The team is being pulled together by Matt ‘Dim Sum’ Jones.
For rugby league information please contact info@hongkongrugbyleague.com
Read the full story in our latest newsletter!
