The following article on the squad announced by Korea RFU for their upcoming game against Hong Kong in the ARC has been kindly submitted by Owen McCaffrey, of Korea
South Korea and Hong Kong will meet this Saturday at Yeasan Stadium in Chungnam, South Korea. This is part one, of what is shaping up to be an enthralling home and away series between these two rivals over the next two weeks.
Hong Kong won both matches between these two teams last year. In 2017 however, both have fallen to world number 11th ranked powerhouse in the Asian Rugby Championship (ARC) Japan this year.
Hong Kong showed good defence to concede few points while South Korea producing some of their now trademark flair and brilliant running rugby to score five tries and push the Brave Blossoms in the first round in April.
The three teams for next year’s ARC in 2018 have been decided, with newly victorious Division 1 winners Malaysia joining South Korea and Hong Kong in the top division.So a good Korean performance, even a win against Hong Kong tomorrow, will send a message to the other teams and build team confidence in this growing South Korean side.
So a good Korean performance, even a win against Hong Kong tomorrow, will send a message to the other teams and build team confidence in this growing South Korean side.
There is reason to believe a lot has changed about this South Korean team since last season. The team has recently returned from a 14-day development tour of New Zealand where they spent time immersed in the local Maori culture and played fixtures against three strong provincial rugby unions.
Coach John Walters said he endeavored to build “Team First” family culture and introduced the players to new training and playing methods.
Chief Executive of Taranaki Rugby Football Union, Michael Collins, whose team beat South Korea 47-15 was impressed with the visitors.
“The Korean team demonstrated tonight that they are a well-coached team. The tactical learnings that they would have taken out of tonight’s game [against Taranaki Invitational XV] will hopefully stand them in good stead for their upcoming test matches.”
Counties Manukau Coach Grant Henson was impressed by the South Korean loose forward trio and the skills of their backline.
“I thought the Koreans played a pretty exciting sort of game. I thought they played with good width and their set piece and in particular, their lineout defence was very well organised.
Coaches John Walters and Dion Muir have been with the South Korean set up just under two years but already comments from other professional coaches say the team looks well coached, plays with a high level of skill and is developing all the time.
This is the last ARC match in Korea gor 2017 so if you are in Korea you can get down to Yesan Stadium for the 12pm kick off tomorrow to see a cracking match! Live coverage is also available online.
Korea : SQUAD:
1 Na Gwan Yeong
2 Kim Jeep
3 Kim Gwang Shik
4 Shin Da Hyun
5 Kim Sung Jin
6 Kim Hyun Soo
7 Kim Jeong Min (C)
8 Lee Yong Seung
9 Shin Ki Chul
10 Lee Seok Gyun
11 Jang Yong Heung
12 Mun Jeong Ho
13 Kim Sung Soo
14 Jeong Yeon Sik
15 Lee Jae Bok
RESERVES
16 Lim Jun Hee
17 Kim Sung Tae
18 Shin Woo Sung
19 Kim Dae Hwan
20 Yoo Ji Hoon
21 Kim Seong Hyeon
22 Ryu Jae Hyuk
23 Kim Gwong Min
COACHES
Head Coach: John Walters
Assistant Coach: Dion Muir
Manager: Yu Jun Hyeok (Jun)
Fixtures
May 27th, 2017: Korea vs Hong Kong (
June 3rd, 2017: Hong Kong Vs Korea
Watch the Next Match Live:
May 27th, 2017:
Korea vs Hong Kong
Watch Live
In Korea: KBSN Sports (12 Noon ) (+9 GMT)
In Hong Kong And Asia: www.rugbypass.com (11 Am Hong Kong)
In New Zeland: Rugby Channel 64 : SKY (New Zealand 3 PM)
In rest of the world: FACEBOOK LIVE www.Facebook.com/Asia.Rugby
Live At the Stadium
Yesan Stadium, Yesan, Chungnam, South Korea
