ASIA RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP; Division 2, Final Day

16.10.2015
United Arab Emirates 16, Chinese Taipei 12 in Kuala Lumpur (ARC Division 2)
Malaysia 53, Thailand 7 in Kuala Lumpur (ARC Division 2)

Briefly
Malaysia ran away with the game against Thailand to clinch the ARC Division 2 title. They will be promoted to ARC Division 1 for 2016. UAE defeated Chinese Taipei 16-12.

ASIA RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP: Division 2, Day 3

16.10.2015

Venue: Kuala Lumpur

Today’s Games
United Arab Emirates v Chinese Taipei
Malaysia v Thailand

Preview
Malaysia and UAE should win their games comfortably. This would give Malaysia the ARC Div.2 title and automatic promotion to Division 1 for 2016.

At this stage Thailand looks ripe for relegation to Division 3. However Division 3 is divided into an East Zone and a West Zone for 2015. I’m not sure what happens in a relegation/promotion scenario.

Predictions:
UAE by 23 v Chinese Taipei: Score 36-13
Malaysia by 22 over Thailand: Score 33-19

For squad lists go to Day 1, Sunday 10 May

ASIA RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP: Division 2, Day 2 Results

13.10.2015
Chinese Taipei 29, Thailand 24 in Kuala Lumpur (ARC Division 2)
Malaysia 20, United Arab Emirates 19 in Kuala Lumpur (ARC Division 2)

Briefly
Malaysia just squeaked past UAE whilst Chinese Taipei outlasted Thailand.

Final Day Saturday
United Arab Emirates v Chinese Taipei in Kuala Lumpur (ARC Division 2)
Malaysia v Thailand in Kuala Lumpur (ARC Division 2)

Malaysia needs to defeat Thailand to take the title and gain promotion to Division 1 for 2016.

ASIA RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP: Division 2, Day 2

13.10.2015
Thailand v Chinese Taipei in Kuala Lumpur (ARC Division 2)
Malaysia v United Arab Emirates in Kuala Lumpur (ARC Division 2)

Day One Results

10.05.2015
United Arab Emirates 53, Thailand 22 in Kuala Lumpur (ARC Div.2)
Malaysia 46, Chinese Taipei 13, in Kuala Lumpur (ARC Div.2)

Briefly
Both UAE and Malaysia had convincing wins on day one in this round robin tournament. The leading team after day three will be promoted to Division 1 for 2015 whilst the last placed team will be relegated to Division 3.

Predictions
Thailand to defeat Chinese Taipei
UAE to defeat Malaysia by 7 points, score 20-13

ASIA RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP: Division 2, Day 1

ARC Division 2 gets underway today in Malaysia. Unlike Division 1, this is a round robin tournament.

10.05.2015
United Arab Emirates v Thailand in Kuala Lumpur (ARC Div.2)

Preview
UAE emerged from the old Arabian Gulf Rugby Union in 2011. After initially remaining in the top league it was soon apparent they were just not up to the elite Asian rugby standard. Last year they lost to Singapore and on that result were relegated to yet a lower division. It will be interesting to see how they fare at this level.

The UAE’s biggest challenge is to engage the ethnic Arab population in this sport. To date they have had limited success their players being mostly ex pats qualifying on residential grounds.

Thailand has a long and rich rugby history. Heavily supported by the armed forces

Previous Encounters
These two teams have not yet met in a test rugby match

United Arab Emirates Last Five P 5, L 5
23.04.2014 v Singapore L 13-30 in Dubai (Asia Nations Div.1)
18.05.2013 v Philippines L 8-24 in Manila (WCQ Africa; Asia 5 Nations)
10.05.2013 v Japan L 3-93 in Dubai ((WCQ Africa; Asia 5 Nations)
26.04.2013 v Korea L 10-75 in Al Ain ((WCQ Africa; Asia 5 Nations)
20.04.2013 v Hong Kong L 7-53 in Hong Kong ((WCQ Africa; Asia 5 Nations)

Thailand Last Five P 5, W 1, L 4
29.10.2014 v Malaysia L 10-29 in Bangkok (Vaijirabngkom Cup)
25.10.2014 v Malaysia W 33-16 in Bangkok (Vaijirabngkom Cup)
23.05.2014 v Iran L 22-26 in Doha (Asia Nations Div.2, 3rd-4th)
20.05.2014 v Qatar L 11-24 in Doha (Asia Nations Div.2, semi-final)
06.04.2013 v Chinese Taipei L 23-52 in Colombo (WCQ Asia; Asia Nat. Div.1)

GWC Rugby Rankings
Asia Table: UAE 6th, Thailand 11th

World Rugby Ranking Points
Thailand 41.35, UAE 30.00

Note: UAE began with 30.00 when it first played a test in 2011 and did not inherit points gained by Arabian Gulf.

Prediction: Thailand by 15 points. Score 29-14

TEAMS

Thailand

15- Khamkoet Warongkron
14- Pannapat Pooltharat
13- Peerapol Chukoun (Debut)
12- Khomchak Chakrabandhu Na Ayudhaya
11- Thitipat Losuwannakul (Debut)
10- Klin Laksanasompong
09- Akarin Thitisakulvit
08- Apichai Phichaikamol
07- Pathomrat Sirisab, Capt.
06- Phoowin Charernsereechai (Debut)
05- Napat Prompataya
04- John Robert Nichol (Debut)
03- Raitaro Isobe (Debut)
02- Chawiatt Klongtrujrok
01- San Hansapinyo
Replacements
16- Kritpakon Prapakon (Debut)
17- Thammarat Lolek (Debut)
18- Patchraraphat Sornritchingchai
19- Surasak Sutmart (Debut)
20- Sarut Janda (Debut)
21- Kwan Chumjai
22- Angkrit Wanichkamolnant (Debut)
23- Sarawin Chinnawong (Debut)
Head Coach: Atapol Wongratana

Thanks to Nattapol Hemyoo, Assistant Manager, Thai RFU

Note: Test caps I have been given need to be confirmed as in one case they seem very high. Waiting to hear confirmation

United Arab Emirates Squad

Walid Al Blooshi*
Hassan Al Noobi*
Mohammad Al Alawi
Hareb Al Azri*
Clint Berkenshaw
Jonathan Bester
Jaen Botes
Michael Botha
Phil Brady
Tyson Byrne
Andrew Carphin
Ryno Fourie
Jonathan Greenwood
Paul Hart
Mohamed Hassan*
Matt Hutchings
Chris Jones Griffiths
Edward Lewsey
Daniel Minks
Graham Murphy
Mohannad Shaker*
Niall Statham
Adam Telford (Capt.)
Justin Walsh
Mark Weissenborn

https://www.facebook.com/uaerugby

* denotes Emirati players

Chinese Taipei v Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur (ARC Div.2)

Referee:

Preview

Until recently Chinese Taipei has dominated Malaysia in their rugby test matches. There was a time when Chinese Taipei were ranked either third or fourth in Asian rugby, now they languish around 9th or 10th.

Other Previews
http://www.malaysiarugby.com/asian-rugby-championships-world-rankings-at-stake/

Last Five Encounters
17.04.2010 Malaysia 35-8 in Singapore (Asia Nations Div.1; 3rd-4th)
21.06.2003 Chinese Taipei 54-0 in Kuala Lumpur (Asia Tournament, B)
30.03.2002 Chinese Taipei 57-3 in Ipoh Padang (WCQ Asia, R1; Pool A)
20.12.1997 Chinese Taipei 51-13 in Tainan (WCQ Asia, Round B)
24.10.1994 Chinese Taipei 23-15 in Kuala Lumpur (14th Asian Championship)

GWC Rugby Rankings
Asia Table: Chinese Taipei 9th, Malaysia 10th

World Rugby Ranking Points
Chinese Taipei 42.62, Malaysia 42.22

Prediction: Malaysia by 2 points. Score 25-23

TEAMS

Malaysia Squad

1 Azman Osman
2 Mohd Nurazaman Ramli
3 Muhammad Syabil Laila
4 Dinesvaran Krisnan
5 Sae Falupega
6 Nik Mohd Shahiddan Mohd Zain
7 Mohamad Syarif Sudin
8 Eto Vaka Saukuru
9 Mohd Saizul Hafifi Md Noor
10 Mohd Syahir Asraf Rosli
11 Faat Hor Rozi
12 Atunaisa Lacadamu Takubu
13 Vatimio Rabebe
14 Tengku Mohd Fariz Tengku Roslan
15 Seru Pepeli Naqasima
16 Amirul Mukminim Amizan
17 Amirul Sani
18 Mohd Hazuwan Mohamad Zakeri
19 Wan Izzudin Ismail
20 Ras Hurairah Razbi
21 Mohd Rosmanizam Roslan
22 Mohamad Aiman Jamaluddin
23 Isoa Vuluma Turuva

http://www.malaysiarugby.com/malaysia-s ... ship-2015/

Chinese Taipei squad not available

ASIA RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP (ARC) 2015

Top 3

18.04.2015: Japan v Korea in Seoul
24.04.2015: Korea v Hong Kong in Hong Kong
02.05.2015: Hong Kong v Japan in Tokyo
09.05.2015: Korea v Japan in Fukuoka
16.05.2015: Hong Kong v Korea in Seoul
23.05.2015: Japan v Hong Kong in Hong Kong

ARC Division 1
Teams: Philippines, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Kazakhstan
May 3-9 in Manila

ARC Division 2
Teams: Chinese Taipei, United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Thailand
May 10-16 in Kuala Lumpur

ARC Division 3 South/Central
Teams: India, Pakistan, Uzbekistan
May 24-30 in Tashkent

ARC Division 3 West
Teams: Qatar, Lebanon, Iran, Jordan
May 15-18 in Lebanon
This is a non-World Rugby/World Cup Group.

ARC Division 3 East
Teams: Guam, Indonesia, China
June 7-13 in Jakarta

ARC Division 4
Teams: Laos, Cambodia, Brunei, Mongolia, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Macao, Nepal.
Date and venue TBD.

www.rugbyinternational.net