Big hitting USA also lay in wait in Pool A as Paul John’s side attempt to make a move up the series points table.
After five rounds Wales are eighth in the rankings with 51 points while New Zealand lead the race for glory with 92 with Fiji hot on their heals with 87. South Africa are third with 76 points with four rounds to play in this year’s series.
If having two of the series’ favourites in the same pool isn’t enough, Wales also have to deal with the three-day competition where there is an extra twist provided by a change to the format – one 12-team competition among the current core teams and another between 12 regional qualifiers battling it out for an additional three core team passes to compete in every round next season.
“The first game on Friday night against South Africa is huge and one we must get right if we want to achieve our goals this weekend,” admitted captain Richie Pugh.
“The new format this year means that every game is important with all 12 core teams being grouped together. Preparations have gone well with a tough hit out against Samoa today. The boys are just looking forward to the weekend in what is a very tough pool.
“It’s good to have the likes of Ifan Evans and Adam Thomas back in the squad after injury and mixed with the likes of new boys Dan Fish and Will Thomas, hopefully we will do well.”
The five rounds played so far in this season’s World Series have produced four different Cup winners – Fiji, England, New Zealand twice and Samoa.
The series stops off in Japan next week for the first time before the series concludes in May with tournaments in Scotland and England.
Wales squad for Hong Kong and Japan: Lee Williams, Will Thomas, Harry Robinson, Alex Walker, Dan Fish, Steffan Jones, Ifan Evans, Rhys Shellard, Richard Smith, Richie Pugh, Adam Thomas, Craig Price, Rhys Jones.
