SERDANG: Defending champions Hong Kong left no room for drama as they gave Malaysia a 70-6 mauling in the Asia Rugby Championship (ARC) today.
Playing at home at the Universiti Putra Malaysia Stadium in Serdang did not give Malaysia much advantage as Hong Kong were just in a different class.
The match was briefly delayed to due to lightning. Hong Kong nevertheless started strong and were up 42-3 at half time.
Josh Hrstich and Paul Altier each scored a brace of tries for Hong Kong while Alex Post, Scott Callum, Faizal Solomona, Jamie Pincott and Tyler McNutt managed one try each.
Altier converted five of them while Glyn Hughes and Matteo Avitabile converted two each. Hong Kong were also awarded a penalty try in the first half.
England-born Lee Chapman, the only naturalised player in the Bunga Raya squad, scored two penalties for Malaysia.
National team coach Farid Syazwan Abu Bakar admitted that Hong Kong were just too good.
"We knew that their (superior) physicality would be a factor and that was clear to see today. We still need to improve in this aspect," said Farid.
"Our goal was to use the space available, and although we did have some opportunities there were also times when we struggled to capitalise.
"Nevertheless, I am still proud of the boys as they fought hard and never gave up.
"We will go back and plan for our next match."
Hong Kong coach Andrew Douglas said the match was tougher than the score suggests.
"I wouldn't say it was easy, we still had to work pretty hard," said Douglas.
"Malaysia was keen and enthusiastic about what they wanted to do so we had to be on our game.
"Malaysia never gave up, they gave their all for the 80 minutes and should be proud of their efforts."
Malaysia had lost 55-5 to South Korea in Incheon last week.
The national squad will next play United Arab Emirates in Dubai on June 21 in a match which could determine which side gets relegated to Division One next season.