22/04/2026
Some winter touch to be following
Ahead of tap off tomorrow at the inaugural Asia Pacific Opens Touch Cup in Mudgee, NSW, we break down the last division of the competition: the Men’s Open! Let’s hear your predictions in the comments 🗣️
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Pool A
Australia
The world champion Emus will start as firm favourites, led once again by Dylan Hennessey in a record 14th Men’s Open campaign. Fifteen of their 16-strong squad played in last year’s Trans Tasman with winger Luke Mansour, who represented Lebanon just last year, their lone debutant in a huge coup for the Emus.
Player to watch: Jack Edwards
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Chinese Taipei
Similar to their Women’s Open team, this tournament marks the debut Men’s Open appearance for Chinese Taipei after many years playing primarily as a Mixed unit. They have about as friendly a draw as possible, beginning with fellow debutants Sri Lanka and ending against Australia, giving them time to build into the tournament.
Player to watch: Fershad Gev Irani
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Cook Islands
The Cook Islands will come into the weekend without key players Tylan Berryman and Tamoko Berryman-Duff. A loss of players of that calibre would typically spell disaster, but the Cook Islands are in a healthy position, able to plug that hole with players like Chase Pamatatau and Braydon Mataio, showcasing their incredible depth.
Player to watch: Shanan Tomuri
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Singapore
Singapore have long been battlers on the international stage. They’ve built a solid Men’s programme over the last several years, embark-ing on many international tours and getting plenty of reps under their belts. In spite of a talented roster, their true strength lies in their team culture driven by the likes of Matty Chia and Derek Ng. Can they finally crack the upper echelon of Men’s Open nations?
Player to watch: Shane Duggan
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Sri Lanka
A somewhat surprising inclusion into the international fold, Sri Lanka will compete in their first ever international Touch event. Most, if not all of their squad are Australian-based and they’ve had scrimmages against Greece over the last couple of years, so they won’t be coming in cold. NSW and former Australian youth represent-ative Josh Rozairo will be directing the team around the park.
Player to watch: Josh Rozairo
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Pool B
Greece
Another nation playing in their first ever international Touch event, Greece will back themselves at this weekend’s APOTC. The Greek squad are predominantly Australian-based, with many playing under the Bolts club and UNSW Rabbitohs rep side. They have some handy players, and could surprise at the tournament.
Player to watch: Luke Maier-Sotiropoulos
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Hong Kong China
Hong Kong China have been a consistent presence on the international scene, toiling away in the Men’s Open division over the last few years. While they haven’t quite performed to their potential, the tournament presents probably their best opportunity to make some inroads. A quarter-final finish should be the goal.
Player to watch: Pak Fai Tang
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Lebanon
Quickly becoming a force in the Men’s Open division, Lebanon are a team to watch at this year’s APOTC. A supremely talented squad that has, by and large, stuck together since their stellar TWC 2024 campaign which saw them leave with a bronze medal. That continuity could be a dangerous proposition for their opposition.
Player to watch: Robert Catalano
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New Zealand
Looking to win their first major international competition since 2013, the Touch Blacks are delicately poised as they head to Mudgee. A new coach brings new ideas, new systems and, in this case, new players as well. The Kiwis have talented individuals that will entertain and delight the crowds, but it’s in the trenches where it will be won and lost. Defence and yards will be paramount.
Player to watch: Ifor Jones
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Samoa
As it is in the Mixed Open, Samoa have a solid lineup on paper made up of players from across Australia, New Zealand and Samoa itself, headlined by former Touch Black Legin Hotham. A favourable draw sees them open up against Greece and Hong Kong China before taking on heavyweights Lebanon and New Zealand, so they must start strong if they want to build into the campaign.
Player to watch: Legin Hotham
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What to expect
All ten teams in the grade could make a legitimate case for quarter-finals inclusion, demonstrating the health of the Men’s Open Touch at the international level. The Emus and Touch Blacks are widely expected to progress through to the final with the remaining nations left to fight for bronze. But while many look at the pointy end of the tournament and predict an Australia vs New Zealand final, it’s the opposite end of the draw that could have the biggest impact. A first-round clash between New Zealand and Lebanon could have huge ramifications and set the tone for the tournament. A Lebanese upset could see the Emus and Touch Blacks face off in a semi-final instead of the final, leaving the opposite side of the draw wide open. It’ll be tight, and the format of the draw will see all teams jockeying for position right from the get-go.
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Predictions
Top four: Australia, Cook Islands, Lebanon, New Zealand
Champions: Australia
Runners up: New Zealand
Bronze medalists: Lebanon
Top try-scorer: Tre Poihipi (New Zealand)
