Volcanoes face tough HK in Asian 5 Nations rugby

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Volcanoes leave the humbling setback to powerhouse Japan behind, using the experience to learn and toughen up as they go on with their campaign in the HSBC Asian 5 Nations Top 5 Division.

The Volcanoes take the field again against Hong Kong at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium tonight, hoping they have wisened up in the two weeks between their losing 121-0 outing to Japan and the 7 p.m. match versus another heavyweight in Asian rugby.

“We had a very, very tough first match against Japan. We’ll learn from that and we’ve had a good couple of weeks to prepare for our next encounter so the guys are really looking forward it,” said Phl captain Michael Letts.

“Hong Kong can be very tough. They’ve been like the second best side in Asia for as long as I can remember so the guys are looking forward to the challenge; they are excited for a very physical match tomorrow (today), “ he added.

The Volcanoes, who have gone through the ranks before landing in the A5N, are also banking on the home court advantage and the familiar weather conditions at Rizal will serve them in good stead in their second match.

A5N first-timers Phl got a rude welcome in the Elite Division from the perennial contenders Japanese who hammered out that masterful romp last April 20 in chilly Japan. 

“Forget the scoreline but to go up against Japan, a team that’s been dominant the last 20 years, that was really exciting. The top 5 rugby compared to previous years is completely different. You always want to challenge yourself; as a competitor, you gauge yourself against better athletes, stronger athletes. That’s the way you go better,” Letts said.

“(We learned) A lot of lesson (from the Japan match). It’s a cliche but we got to get bigger and stronger and give 110 percent. We got to keep on fighting, that’s something Filipinos can do, you know, Pinoy pride, we’ll go down swinging,” he added.

The Volcanoes will miss starting 8-man/flanker Jake Pingal Ward who suffered broken ribs in the Japan match and head coach Jarred Hodges, who left to attend to a critical family emergency. Assistant coach Stu Woodhouse will call the shots with team manager Phil Gittus assisting with the forwards.

“The team has a very realistic but very positive attitude going to the match. We’ve had three weeks together now and look forward to showcasing some of the team’s attacking prowess as well as defensive resolve,” said Gittus.

Although unbeaten in their A5N home games, the Volcanoes will have their hands full protecting the clean slate and pulling off an upset against Hong Kong, a more experienced and accomplished side. Hong Kong’s bets finished no lower than third place in the competition.

“We’re expecting a really tough game and warm welcome from the Volcanoes. We’re expecting a very torrid 30 minutes of rugby and looking forward preparing for that and I’m sure the lads will come through,” said Hong Kong coach Leigh Jones.

Hong Kong, like Phl, is also seeking to bounce back from a loss to the Japanese (38-0) in the six-week long competition among the Top 5 teams in Asia.

The last placed team at the end of the round-robin tourney gets demoted to Division I, something that the Volcanoes wish to avoid. 

“We’ve always the goals to make the top 5. I guess it’s quite surreal that it (getting here) happened so quickly but now that we’re here, we don’t want to get in and just be relegated.  We can’t just take it for granted, we want to be competitive and stay up here,” said Letts.

Staying in the HSBC Asian 5 Nations next year also offers a bigger door as it will serve as a qualifying event to the Rugby World Cup 2015.