April 28, 2011
Hong Kong have been forced into changes ahead of their "biggest test match" this year against Japan in the second weekend of the 2011 Asian 5 Nations on Saturday.
They retain the majority of the side that beat Kazakhstan 23-10 on the opening weekend of the tournament but Alex Harris replaces the injured Brent Taylor at hooker and Renaud Chavanis comes in at second row alongside Michael Waller, who deputises for Oliver Jones who suffered a hand injury in training this week.
"Making changes ahead of Japan isn't ideal," admitted head coach Dai Rees. "But we know what Japan are. Japan is the biggest test match we have on an annual basis and is the key clash for our 15-aside players each year. Playing Japan lets us know how good we are as players and as a team, and the lads relish that challenge."
Japan were not involved in the opening round and the defending champions will launch their bid for a fourth title at the Hong Kong Football Club.
In the round's other match Kazakhstan travel to Abu Dhabi to take on the United Arab Emirates. The UAE drew 13-13 with Sri Lanka in torrential conditions in Colombo and UAE skipper Mike Cox-Hill is looking to press home the advantage against Kazakhstan.
"Given the conditions we faced in Colombo, it was not a bad result to come away with. I guess Sri Lanka must be feeling disappointed that we got away with a draw, but the conditions were a great leveller. Now we must look forward and try to seal our place in this competition by defeating Kazakhstan," UAE skipper Cox-Hill said.
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