Match Preview

Last seasons grand finalists meet for the first time in round 4 of the Saxo Capital Markets Challenge Trophy up at Kings Park this weekend as Herbert Smith Freehills HKU Sandy Bay host Bloomberg HK Scottish.

This is the first weekend that all Premiership clubs will have access to their elite rugby programme players which should add some extra spice to round 4.

That means that Liam Slatem, Luke van der Smit and Alex Post return to the starting line-up for the first time this season, bringing power and experience .

Head coach Brett Wilkinson has also opted to start freshly arrived players, loose head prop Sunia Fameitau and second rower Alexis Brochet.
Dean Rossouw takes a well-earned break and Ben Davey will start in the 7 shirt while key performers Zac Cinnamond, Mark Prior and Web Vueti remain in the starting pack.

In the backs, Nik Cumming slots back into fly half to join Liam Slatem after 2 weeks starting at full back while the continued absence of injured skipper Gair Currie means that Guy Spanton and Simon Bienvenu once again lock up the midfield. Iwan Phillips moves back to fullback, Jack Metters to wing while Brandon Bellamin keeps his spot on the wing.

it's a strong looking starting 15 with an impactful bench but they will need to find their way against a Scottish side that has already found some form with wins over Valley and USRC Tigers but with a loss to Kowloon. They sit on 11 competition points - 6 ahead of Sandy Bay - making a win in this match vital to the Bays final Challenge Trophy standings with just one round remaining next weekend.

On a rainy night, 6 months ago, there was very little between these 2 teams. It was the closest of finals in the grand championship final. The gloves are off and we should see a fiercely contested match between two teams building momentum towards the Premiership launch on October 12th’s Super Saturday.

Get along and support the team.

Kick off at 5pm at King’s Park.