Hong Kong to face Australia in opening game of 2027 Rugby World Cup

Hong Kong have been handed the daunting prospect of playing Australia in the opening game of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

Officials released the match schedule on Tuesday, pitching the game in Perth on Friday, October 1, as a “powerful symbol of rugby’s expanding global footprint”.

Hong Kong will be playing in the tournament for the first time after it was increased to 24 teams from the 20 that took part three years ago.

Organisers were probably also wary of Australia and New Zealand facing off in the opener, with defeat for either likely to reduce interest in the pools with one losing the first game.

Logan Asplin, the Hong Kong head coach, and his team face their most important match on the other side of the country a week later, when they play Chile in Townsville on Saturday, October 9.

Hong Kong wrap up their group stage against the All Blacks in Melbourne on Friday, October 15.