November Internationals 2024 – Hong Kong vs Brazil – ARN Guide

Two teams aspiring to make their Rugby World Cup debutes will meet in the first of two test matches on Saturday. Hong Kong play host to Brazil in the second meeting between the teams in 2024 and just the third overall. Hong Kong are ranked No 2 in Asia and Brazil are the No 4 ranked Men’s team in South America.

 

FORM GUIDE

Current World Ranking: 23 (60.40 points)
2024-07-20 – Brazil 25-26 Hong Kong (São Paulo, BR)
2024-07-13 – Paraguay 12-80 Hong Kong (Asunción, PY)
2024-07-06 – Chile 22-17 Hong Kong (Talca, CL)
2024-06-22 – Hong Kong 67-07 South Korea (Hong Kong)
2024-06-08 – Malaysia 06-70 Hong Kong (Selangor, MY)
2024-06-01 – Hong Kong 52-05 United Arab Emirates (Hong Kong)

Current World Ranking: 30 (55.62 points)
2024-10-06 – Chile 36-10 Brazil (Santiago, CL)
2024-09-08 – Brazil 29-64 Argentina XV (Jacareí, BR)
2024-18-08 – Brazil 77-17 Paraguay (São Paulo, BR)
2024-07-27 – Brazil 47-25 Belgium (São Paulo, BR)
2024-07-20 – Brazil 25-26 Hong Kong (São Paulo, BR)

 

LINE-UP CHANGES vs + vs

2 Calum Scott replaces Alexander Post
3 Faizal Solomona Penesam replaces Zac Cinnamond
4 Mark Prior replaces Faizal Solomona Penesa
4 Kyle Sullivan replaces Kyle Sullivan
5 Patrick Jenkinson replaces Callum McCullouch
7 Pierce Mackinlay-West replaces James Sawyer
9 Jamie Lauder replaces Jack Combes
10 Nathan De Thierry moves from 13; replaces Matteo Avitabile
11 Matt Worley replaces Paul Altier
13 Maxwell Threlkeld, replaces Nathan de Thierry
14 Charles Higson-Smith replaces Sebastian Brien
15 Matteo Avitabile moves from 10; replaces Matthew Worley

1 Wilton Rebolo moves from 3; replaces João Marino
2 Henrique Ferreira replaces Endy Willian Pinheiro
3 Matheus Rocha replaces Wilton Rebolo
6 Matteo Dell’Acqua replaces Cleber Dias
8 Cleber Dias moves from 6; replaces Adrio de Melo
9 Lucas Spago replaces Felipe Gonçalves
10 João Amaral moves from 15; replaces Lucas Tranquez
11 Daniel Lima replaces Ariel Rodrigues
12 Moisés Duque replaces Robert Tenório
14 Robert Tenório moves from 12; replaces Victor Silva
15 Lucas Tranquez moves from 10; replaces João Amaral

NOTES

• This will be the third test match between Hong Kong and Brazil and the second ever in Hong Kong.
• Hong Kong won the inaugural match by +34 and the second by +1.
• The tour is Brazil’s final on-field preparation for the South American finals of Rugby World Cup 2027 Qualifying. Brazil will face Chile in the Semi Final stage in 2025.
• New Zealander Joshua Hrstich will again lead Hong Kong from flanker.
• Maxwell Threlkeld makes his debut for Hong Kong. He plays for the University of California.
• Positional shifts from Brazil see João Amaral and Lucas Tranquez switching from fullback to fly half and vice-versa.
• Matteo Dell’Acqua starts out of position at flanker with veteran Cleber Dias completing a rare move to N8.
• Brazil’s second most capped player of all-time, Moisés Duque returned this year and is now starting.
• Brazil are without first-choice winger Ariel Rodrigues. He was suspended following his red card against Chile.
• Discipline was lacking against Chile; Brazilians EW Pinheiro, J Marino, and R Teixeira were yellow carded.

PREDICTION

The July fixture demonstrated parity between Brazil and Hong Kong on the rugby field. It ultimately took decision making and risk to determine the outcome that day. Had Brazil not made the fatal late mistake then Os Tupis would certainly have won. Have lessons been learned? The rematch in Asia gives both teams an opportunity to make a statement. Hong Kong’s overall form and 2024 results give them the upper hand. Hong Kong are favorites to win at home.

LINEUPS

HONG KONG
1 Rory Cinnamond, 2 Calum Scott, 3 Faizal Solomona Penesam, 4 Mark Prior, 5 Patrick Jenkinson, 6 Joshua Hrstich (capt.), 7 Pierce Mackinlay-West, 8 Luke Van der Smit, 9 Jamie Lauder, 10 Nathan De Thierry, 11 Matt Worley, 12 Ben Axten-Burrett, 13 Maxwell Threlkeld, 14 Charles Higson-Smith, 15 Matteo Avitabile

Replacements: 16 Jude Harding, 17 Sunai Fameitau, 18 Zacceus Cinnamond, 19 Kyle Sullivan, 20 Hugh McCormick-Houston, 21 Tyler McNutt, 22 Jack Combes, 23 Guy Spanton

BRAZIL
1 Wilton Rebolo, 2 Henrique Ferreira, 3 Matheus Rocha, 4 Ben Donald, 5 Gabriel Oliveira, 6 Matteo Dell’Acqua, 7 Matheus Cláudio, 8 Cleber Dias, 9 Lucas Spago, 10 João Amaral, 11 Daniel Lima, 12 Moisés Duque, 13 Lorenzo Massari Temer, 14 Robert Tenório, 15 Lucas Tranquez

Replacements: 16 Endy Willian Pinheiro, 17 Caique Segura, 18 Leonel Moreno, 19 Gabriel Paganini, 20 Adrio de Melo, 21 Rafael Teixeira, 22 Felipe Gonçalves, 23 Victor Silva

 

MATCH DETAILS

Date: Saturday, November 09
Venue: Kai Tak Sports Park, Kowloon (HK)
Kickoff: 4pm (HK); 5am (Brasília)
Weather Forecast: Hot; Partly Cloudy 29 degrees Celsius. Wind: 21 km/h
Broadcasts: Streamed Live on Youtube

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Reuben Keane (Australia)
Assistant Referees: Katsuki Furuse (Japan), Morgan White (Hong Kong)

 

HISTORY vs (2011-2024)

Jul 20, 2024 – Brazil 25-26 Hong Kong (São Paulo, BR)
Dec 13, 2011 – Hong Kong 37-03 Brazil (Dubai, UAE)

 

HEAD TO HEAD vs (2011-2024)

Hong Kong Wins 2
Brazil Wins 0