A thumping victory over Kenya placed Hong Kong just one win away from a historic Rugby World Cup place. However, Canada's easy victory over the minnows, Germany, in the ongoing four-nation repechage tournament at the Stade Delort in Marseille, has made things a bit more complicated for the Hong Kong side as they also need to pick up a bonus-point in their must-win game against the Canadians, the current table-toppers in France. 

Hong Kong and Canada will have a much-anticipated play off for the 20th and final place at Rugby World Cup 2019 on 23 November at the same venue in Marseille. The seasoned Hong Kong side had earlier suffered a big blow to their qualifying dream after being humbled by the Germans, the lowest-ranked side, in their opening game of the repechage tournament.

But in their second game, a do-or-die battle, super-sub Thomas Lamboley came off the bench to score twice as Hong Kong thwarted an early scare from Kenya to clinch a bonus-point win in a game that showcased audacious skills, featuring the unpredictable Africans. 

Kenya, who lost their opening game against Canada, kick-started the match with an off-the-cuff approach and surged ahead 12-0, catching Leigh Jones' side off their guard after just 22 minutes.

But the experienced Hong Kong dug deep to make a valiant dominating display in the second half that eventually turned the tide and set up a mouth-watering finale against Canada.

The 2018 Asian Games-winning side that has never made the cut to the finals in the history of Web Ellis trophy Trophy will have an uphill task in hand and all eyes will be on Hong Kong as they, probably, play the game of their lives.

The marquee decider between Canada and Hong Kong will kick off at 20:00 GMT on Friday at Stade Delort in Marseille, France.