Hong Kong, China will look to build on a narrow defeat to the US when they take on Canada in the fifth round of the World Rugby Nations Cup 2026 on Saturday (Nov. 14), as their preparations for the 2027 Rugby World Cup continue.
Head coach Andrew Douglas and his selectors have largely retained the squad that pushed the highest-ranked team in the competition, the US, to the limit last weekend, narrowly losing 28-26 after leading until the closing minutes.
Twenty-one players from the matchday 23 have been retained, including 13 of the 15 starters against the US.
In the forwards, Callum McCullough and Dana Fourie have switched places at flanker, with HK China sevens representative McCullough moving to the bench and Fourie starting against Canada.
The tight five remains unchanged, with front-row players Sunia Fameitau, hooker Alexander Post and Faizal Solomona Penesa, alongside locks James Rivers and Max Murphy. The combination will again form the foundation of Hong Kong China's forward play after helping contain the US Eagles' scrum last weekend.
Captain and number eight Josh Hrstich will anchor the back row alongside Fourie and Jack Bartlett, who scored an impressive try from halfway against the US. Bartlett has been among the standout performers on tour after missing the summer campaign.
In the backs, former sevens captain Seb Brien makes way for Paul Altier on the wing, while Matthew Worley replaces Tom Hill on the bench. Worley has made more than 100 appearances for Bedford.
Scrumhalf Jack Combes will partner flyhalf Nathan De Thierry, who has impressed on tour following his return from a Lisfranc injury that kept him out of the summer tests.
Isaac Campbell-Wu, another standout performer on tour, will make his third consecutive start at inside centre, with Marcus Ramage at outside centre. Ramage scored a try from a charged-down kick against the US.
Harry Sayers and HK China Under-20 representative Altier will feature on the wings, while Dylan McCann, another product of HK's age-grade system, retains his place at fullback after an impressive display against the US, including two late penalty kicks.
Canada are ranked 21st in the world, three places above HK China at 24th.
Their Nations Cup campaign has produced mixed results so far, with a draw against Spain, a win over Zimbabwe and defeats to Portugal and Georgia. Georgia, the leaders of Pool 2, remain unbeaten in the competition. Canada also defeated the US 19-16 in the Pacific Nations Cup in Japan in September.
Saturday's match will be HK China's final away test of 2026. The team will then return home for a rare opportunity to face a non-Asian opponent on home soil when they take on Tonga later this month.
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