The China Mail - 'Dream' draw for debutants Hong Kong against Wallabies, All Blacks

Asplin and Hong Kong captain Josh Hrstich were born in New Zealand and their eyes lit up as they watched the draw in Sydney on a live stream in Hong Kong surrounded by the squad.

A cheer from the players greeted Hong Kong first being pooled with the Wallabies, then a bigger roar went up when the All Blacks completed the group. Chile are the other team.

"We actually messaged last night and we predicted what a dream result would be," said a beaming Asplin.

"And that was it."

He added: "To play the host nation, to play the nation -- for a few of us -- of our birth, it's pretty important and pretty special."

Hong Kong qualified for the first time in their history in July when they romped past South Korea 70-22 to become Asia champions.

The victory gave Hong Kong a sixth consecutive Asia Rugby Championship and with it a place in the expanded 24-team tournament to be hosted by Australia in 2027.

Hong Kong is globally famous for its annual rugby Sevens tournament, which celebrates its 50th anniversary next year.

But they will be one of the lowest-ranked teams at the Rugby World Cup and face the biggest 15-a-side games in the history of the Chinese territory of seven million people.

"Hugely exciting," said captain and back-row forward Hrstich, who said his side would be targeting Chile for a maiden World Cup win.

"What an occasion to celebrate, to pull two of the powerhouses of world rugby is a huge opportunity for us.

"We now understand where we are and where we need to be for 2027," he said, before urging global rugby fans to make Hong Kong their "second team" in Australia.

"Everybody loves an underdog and giant killers. You know, history always remembers them," Hrstich said.

"So just a huge, huge occasion for us to promote the city, but also help grow the game here in Hong Kong."

A.Kwok--ThChM