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.
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
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.
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
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
25.10.2014
There is not much information about this game. The Malaysian web site mentions this game, and the 2nd test to be played 28th. They named the fixtures as being ‘Rugby Championship’.They also indicate that IRB ranking points are up for grabs. I cannot find any squad lists.
Malaysian squad thanks to https://www.facebook.com/MalaysiaRugbyUnion
Image thanks to https://www.facebook.com/MalaysiaRugbyUnion
GWC Rugby Ranking
Malaysia 10th, Thailand 13th
IRB Ranking Points
Thailand 43.37, Malaysia 40.20
These two teams last met in 2012 in the Asia Nations Division 2 final held in Kuala Lumpur. Thailand won 22-19 and won promotion to Division 1.
Prediction: Thailand by 6 points
For a complete list of fixtures between these two teams and a list of all their international test rugby results go to www.rugbyinternational.net
20.05.2014
Malaysia 42, Iran 22 in Doha (Asia Nations Div.2, Semi-final 1)
Qatar 24, Thailand 11 in Doha (Asia Nations Div.2, Semi-final 1)
Sri Lanka and Kazakhstan set up HSBC A5N Division I Showdown
Press release via Sean Moore ASRFU
[Colombo, Sri Lanka, April 3 2013]: Sri Lanka kept their World Cup dreams alive and stayed on course towards reaching the HSBC Asian Five Nations (HSBC A5N) Top Five competition – Asia’s World Cup qualifiers - next year with a convincing 45-7 win over Thailand on Wednesday.
The hosts made it two-from-two and kept their unbeaten run alive in the HSBC A5N Division One competition, but more importantly secured their second consecutive bonus point running in six tries, which keeps them on top of the four-team standings with maximum points (12 points) from their two matches.
“We have one more step to take before we can start celebrating,” said Sri Lanka captain and openside flanker Yoshitha Rajapaksa. “But I’m happy with the way we are playing. It was a much-improved performance from our opening game.”
An exhilarating display of open rugby from Sri Lanka’s fleet-footed backs, who accounted for all of the tries, plus a dominant pack which ruled the set pieces, gave Sri Lanka the freedom to rule unhindered at Havelocks Sports Club.
If their opening 39-8 win over Chinese-Taipei was a Jekyll-and-Hyde performance – the side only coming alive in the second-half with five tries – the Thailand performance was complete, although the home team seemed to take the foot off the pedal once they scored their fourth try and was ensured of a bonus point.
Winger Sandun Herath and centre Pradeep Liyanage grabbed a brace each while scrum-half Roshan Weerarathna and winger Chamara Dabare also dotted down for a try apiece as Sri Lanka gave the capacity crowd of 4,800 a feast of running rugby. Fullback Reza Mubarak was also in fine form with the boot, collecting 15 points from three penalties and three conversions.
“Our backs played well and used the possession very well. Our target was to get the bonus point and we knew we had to score tries,” said Rajapaksa.
Sri Lanka cruised past Thailand in Rd 2 of the HSBC A5N Division I competition.
A change in strategy off the pitch helped Kazakhstan regain its confidence and composure on the pitch as they bounced back from their opening game shock loss to Thailand with a convincing 42-10 victory over Chinese-Taipei in the opening match of the day.
Fullback Maxim Lifontov gave a master-class in goal-kicking as he knocked over six penalties and two conversions to collect a personal haul of 22 points as Kazakhstan overcame the torrid temperatures of Colombo.
Kazakhstan fullback Maxim Lifontov paced his team to victory today over Chinese Taipei with 22 points.
Unlike in their opening game, Kazakhstan warmed up in the air-conditioned comfort of their dressing room and only came out minutes before the kick-off fresh and intent on wiping out the memories of their first-ever defeat by Thailand in international rugby on Sunday last.
“We have been training early in the morning, at six am, and trying to avoid staying in the sun as much as possible. I think we are also getting used to the heat and it showed in a much-improved performance today,” said Kazakhstan coach Timur Mashurov.
Kazakhstan led 26-0 at the break thanks to a much-improved performance from the forwards led strongly by flanker Oleg Guselnikov (who played at scrumhalf in the loss to Thailand last Sunday) and No.8 and skipper Serik Zhanseitov.
Two early penalties from Lifontov settled nerves before tries from centre Alexandr Zakharov, flyhalf Daulet Akymbekov and captain Zhanseitov extended the lead with Lifontov adding a conversion and another penalty.
The pick of the opening half burst was the last try by Zhanseitov who was on hand to complete a lovely break by lock Grigoriy Ivanchenko who peeled from the back of a lineout 40 metres out. A powerful burst down the middle caught the defence napping before an inside pass sent Zhanseitov untouched to the tryline.
Kazakhstan captain Serik Zhanseitove led his team back into contention at the HSBC A5N D1 Rugby championship in Colombo.
Akymbekov grabbed his second try soon after the break to ensure Kazakhstan would get a vital bonus point for scoring four tries. Lifontov then took over, knocking over every opportunity as Kazakhstan eased off, intent on keeping their energy levels.
Chinese-Taipei scored two consolation tries through Chung Po-yan and Ho Ming-hsien despite losing winger Chen Chifi-kang to a red card. Down to 14 men, the pressure eased off on Kazakhstan as they rang in the changes to give their top players a rest.
“Our idea from the outset was to secure a bonus point by scoring four tries and I’m happy we did it with the minimum fuss,” said a pleased Mashurov.
But he was less than pleased to see influential lock forward Anton Makarenko picking up a red card for a spear tackle on Taipei’s Chuan Wen-hao. Makarenko is set to miss the next match against Sri Lanka on Saturday.
“It will be a huge loss. He is a key player and a ball-winning forward,” said Mashurov. “But we are now in a position to win this tournament. Our fate is in our hands.”
The winner of Division One will earn promotion to the elite HSBC A5N Top Five competition next year.
Sri Lanka top the standings on 12 points (five points for each win plus two bonus points for scoring four or more tries in their matches); Kazakhstan is on six points (five for the win plus a bonus point for scoring over four tries today); Thailand is on five points from their opening win over Kazakhstan while Chinese Taipei has yet to get on the table.
Both Sri Lanka and Kazakhstan have a chance to be promoted to next year’s Top 5. A straight win for Sri Lanka over Kazakhstan will see them promoted, while Kazakhstan need to a bonus point win over the hosts this Saturday (April 6) while holding Sri Lanka without a bonus point to be promoted.
World Cup Qualifying Asia
03.04.2013
Kazakhstan 42, Chinese Taipei 5 in Colombo (WCQ Asia; Asia Nations Div. 1)
Sri Lanka 45, Thailand 7 in Colombo (WCQ Asia; Asia Nations Division 1)
Briefly
Day 2 results saw a complete turnaround of fortunes. Kazakhstan played its way back into tournament winners contention. They stepped up a notch or two against Chinese Taipei and set up a virtual final with Sri Lanka come Saturday.
Thailand could not repeat their Saturday performance against hosts Sri Lanka.
It’s all set up for Saturday. All games are crucial. Sri Lanka v Kazakhstan in a final with the winner (Kazakhstan will need to defeat Sri Lanka by greater points though) going in to Asia 5 Nations in 2014 and a crack at a place in the 2015 Rugby World Cup finals.
Thailand and Chinese Taipei will play to remain in Division 1 or be relegated to Division 2. Chinese Taipei’s task will much more difficult than Thailand as Thailand has a win in hand. Without doing the maths Chinese Taipei would need to win by about 40 points to avoid relegation.
Round II of the HSBC A5N Division I / Rugby World Cup 2015 Asian Qualifiers set for kick-off in Sri Lanka
Captains of the four teams in Sri Lanka
[Hong Kong, April 2, 2013]: The second round of the 2013 HSBC Asian Five Nations (HSBC A5N) Division I championship kicks off tomorrow at Havelocks RFC in Colombo, Sri Lanka as Kazakhstan take on Chinese Taipei and hosts Sri Lanka face surprise first round winners Thailand.
Thailand upended Kazakhstan 33-10 in the opening match of this year’s HSBC A5N Division I raising the stakes for the top seeds in this year’s tournament Kazakhstan.
The world was a different place back in 2007, the last time Kazakhstan visited Sri Lanka for the former Asian Rugby Football Tournament. The island nation was struggling to put down the separatist Tigers, one reason why Asian powers like Japan stayed away from the last edition of the biennial Asian Rugby Football Tournament, which has since been supplanted by the annual HSBC Asian Five Nations now in its sixth year.
“We won that last Asian Championship and we will forever be known in history as the last team to do that,” said a proud Timur Mashurov, coach of the class of 2013, but captain back in 2007.
“Yes, Japan stayed away, but a win is a win,” Mashurov grinned cheekily. “We are happy to be the last champions.”
If only life was as simple for his team today. Kazakhstan face a do-or-die battle against Chinese-Taipei on Wednesday at the Havelocks Sports Club, a position they are in thanks to their opening day loss to Thailand in the four-team competition in Colombo.
Playing in searing hot conditions, Kazakhstan stumbled to a shock defeat at the hands of un-fancied Thailand who defeated the Central Asian team for the first time in their history.
“The heat was the problem and it will be our biggest obstacle against Chinese-Taipei too,” Mashurov said. “Against Thailand, my players were making mistakes simply because they were exhausted. Twice we knocked on the ball inside the Thai try-line area. All we had to do was to touch down and we could have sealed the result. But we were tired and made mistakes.”
The stark change in conditions is underlined by the fact that it is presently minus zero and snowing in Kazakhstan, who were demoted from the Top Five competition last year and are desperate to get back into the company of the big boys for the final stage of Asia’s Rugby World Cup qualifiers which will be contested in the Top 5 in 2014.
“We came from one extreme to the other. No wonder my players struggled,” said Mashurov.
Although the conditions are likely to be overcast, Mashurov can expect the heat to be on again. As such Kazakhstan will change its game plan for Chinese-Taipei.
“We will do our arm-up inside the dressing room and try to keep out of the sun as much as possible. We made the mistake of warming up for 30 minutes before the Thailand game out on the pitch and that sapped our energy levels,” Mashurov said.
Kazakhstan, who is fielding eight debutants in the 23-man squad, will also try and keep the game with their heavier forwards, keeping it as tight as possible.
“We have to win this match with a bonus point, and then everything can be solved against Sri Lanka on Saturday. We haven’t lost to them in recent years and I’m confident we can win again. I will remind the boys of our win here in 2007,” said Mashurov still hopeful that the early setback hasn’t dented his team’s chances of winning this tournament and winning promotion to the Top Five next year.
Kazakhstan will be hoping that Sri Lanka, who secured a bonus point in their 39-8 win over Chinese-Taipei last Saturday, will knock off Thailand on Wednesday. And if Kazakhstan wins handsomely against Chinese Taipei, it could all point to a titanic battle for top honours on the final day between the hosts and Kazakhstan.
But Sri Lanka will have to be wary of the buoyant Thais with skipper and No. 8 Chatree Wannadit confident of another giant-killing act.
“We are a fit and young side, our average age is only 23. Most of the players come from the Armed Forces and take pride in their fitness. The heat is not a problem, it is even hotter in Thailand, so we will be up for it against Sri Lanka,” Wannadit said.
Thailand will once again rely on their terrier-like defence to hound out mistakes and then use the speed of their backline to make inroads. But the biggest danger for Sri Lanka will be Thai fullback Warongkorn Khamkoet, one of five players from the Thai Navy in the team, whose goal-kicking is a huge threat.
“He is our key,” said Wannadit. “He can kick penalties from anywhere on the field.” Khamkoet’s left foot knocked over four penalties and two conversions in the victory against Kazakhstan. Sri Lanka will have to watch out for him.
The hosts overcame a dreary first-half against Taipei in their opener before turning on the style by running in five tries. Fly-half Fazil Marija was the pick of a dangerous backline scoring a couple of opportunistic tries.
It was the first competitive game for the Sri Lankan players in five months. The country’s domestic season would have been in full swing but the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union has pushed back the start to later in the year – September – so as to fall in line with other Asian teams like Japan and Hong Kong who come into the HSBC Asian Five Nations charged up following the end of their own domestic seasons.
With one game under the belt, and a good result too, Sri Lanka with the crowds behind them, will be keen to make it two from two.
“Our goal is very simple. To play in the Top Five next year and be part of the World Cup qualifying campaign,” said skipper and openside flanker Yoshitha Rajapaksa.
Tomorrow’s matches will see Kazakhstan and Chinese Taipei face off at 14.00 followed by Sri Lanka v Thailand at 16.00.
03.04.2013
Kazakhstan v Chinese Taipei in Colombo (WCQ Asia; Asia Nations Division 1)
Preview
Kazakhstan crashed in their opening game against newly promoted Thailand. The Kazakhs were completely outplayed by Thailand. Their hopes in reaching Asia 5 Nations division for 2014, although not completely dashed, certainly became a lot more difficult. The equation is that Kazakhstan must win their remaining games and hope that both Sri Lanka and Thailand lose their next two games.
Chinese Taipei could well experience a Kazakhstan backlash. They held Sri Lanka in the first half but ran out of steam and let their defence slip in the second. They could well find Kazakhstan far too strong up front.
Previous Encounters
07.11.2007 Kazakhstan 29-0 in Colombo (Asiad Cup)
11.06.2006 Chinese Taipei 20-18 in Singapore (Asia Tournament, Div.3)14.12.1998 Chinese Taipei 27-11 in Bangkok (Asia Games, Div.2)
GWC Rugby Rankings
Asia Table: Kazakhstan 6th, China Taipei 9th
IRB Ranking Points
Kazakhstan 48.60, Chinese Taipei 42.80
Prediction: Kazakhstan by 13 points
Teams Not available
Sri Lanka v Thailand in Colombo (WCQ Asia; Asia Nations Division 1)
Preview
Thailand will be very confident of causing another upset in this tournament when they take on host nation Sri Lanka. They will have to over come a well organised Sri Lankan team.
Last Five Encounters
11.04.2009 Sri Lanka 51-17 in Dubai (WCQ Asia R1; Asia Nations Div.1)
04.06.2005 Sri Lanka 48-38 in Bangkok (WCQ Asia Div.3A)
18.11.2002 Thailand 72-0 in Bangkok (Asia Champ. Div.2, Sect.2)
20.05.2001 Sri Lanka 46-17 in Colombo (Asia Plate)
25.06.2000 Thailand 38-28 in Aomori (17th Asia Championship)
These two teams first met in 1976. Thailand winning 23-16 at the 6th Asia Championship, held in Kuala Lumpur.
GWC Rugby Ranking
Asia Table: Thailand 5th, Sri Lanka 8th
IRB Ranking Points
Sri Lanka 47.99, Thailand 46.12
Prediction: Sri Lanka by 4 points
Teams Not available
World Cup Qualifying Asia Round 1
31.03.2013
Thailand 33, Kazakhstan 10 in Colombo (WCQ Asia Nations Div.1)
Sri Lanka 39, Chinese Taipei 8 in Colombo (WCQ Asia Nations Div.1)
Sri Lanka and Thailand open HSBC Asian 5 Nations 2013 with Division I wins.
Top seeds Kazakhstan fall to shock defeat against 4th-seed Thailand
[Colombo, Sri Lanka, March 31 2013]: A stirring second-half display gave hosts Sri Lanka the perfect start to its campaign to win promotion to the Top Five in the HSBC Asian Five Nations (HSBC A5N) next season as they crushed Chinese-Taipei 39-8 in their match on Sunday.
Sri Lanka led 6-3 at the break but turned on the style in the second half running in five tries as they over-powered their opponents in the opening game in the HSBC A5N Division One competition in Colombo.
“We haven’t played test rugby for a long time and it showed in the first half. But we settled down after the break and stuck to our game plan and it worked,” said pleased skipper Yoshitha Rajapakse.
The country’s president Mahinda Rajapakse and First Lady Shiranthi Rajapakse were among the 4,800-strong crowd that vociferously cheered the home team that included two sons from the First Family – Yoshitha and elder brother and parliamentarian Namal Rajapakse.
A dreary first-half ended with the only points coming from the boots of Sri Lanka’s fullback Riza Mubarak and Chinese-Taipei flyhalf Wang Chi-pin. But the crowd came alive when winger Chamara Dabare began the second half in outstanding fashion when he powered his way past two defenders with an angular run to score Sri Lanka’s first try.
Yoshitha Rajapakse then added a second from close range, burrowing over to extend the lead before flyhalf Fazil Marija added a scintillating brace and Sri Lanka took total control with substitute Sumedha Malewana scoring the fifth try.
Mubarak knocked over two penalties and three conversions with sub Roshan Weeraratne adding another. Chinese-Taipei’s Chuang Ming-che scored a late consolation try. Sri Lanka was the only team in today’s competition to notch a bonus point on the competition table for scoring four or more tries.
“We made too many mistakes at the breakdown. It was disappointing,” said Chinese-Taipei skipper Lu Wei-fan.
Sri Lanka’s South African coach Ravin du Plessis said: “We played well in patches. I thought we left too many points on the park in the first half in particular as we were dominating territorially. A win is a win but we have plenty of work to do.”
In the opening game, Thailand turned in a giant-killing act stunning top seeds Kazakhstan 33-10 to emerge as dangerous outsiders for promotion to the Top Five next year.
The winner of this four-team tournament earns promotion to the elite company of Asian rugby and sees their Rugby World Cup qualification campaign continue into next year’s final stages.
In 2013, the Division I and Top 5 competitions are doubling as Asia’s qualifiers for Rugby World Cup 2015 as the winning team from Division I will advance to next year’s Top 5 and a chance for outright qualification as Asia’s sole entrant to RWC 2015. Similarly the bottom placed team after the Top 5 campaign (starting on April 20) will be demoted to Division I next season and see their Rugby World Cup dream come to an end.
Image thanks to http://www.rugbyworldcup.com
Kazakhstan, who were pre-tournament joint-favourites with hosts Sri Lanka to clinch the promotion berth, struggled to cope with the searing heat of a Colombo afternoon. But coach Timur Mashurov refused to blame the conditions for his team’s capitulation.
“We made too many errors, especially our ball handling which was very poor. We were naive with the ball in hand and our decision-making was very poor,” said a disappointed Mashurov. “The conditions were hot, but we can’t use that as an excuse for it was the same for Thailand too.”
The 2.00 pm kick-off seemed to have an early adverse effect on Kazakhstan coming off their winter but the heavier forwards led by captain and No. 8 Serik Zhanseitov won the Central Asian team a number of clear chances which were spurned through faulty handling.
Thailand led 17-0 at the break thanks to two tries against the run of play by centre Sirichai Daothaisong and winger Topong Boonlon. Daothaisong capitalised on a good 70-metre run by fullback Warongkorn Khamkoet after Boonlon had forced a turnover with a big hit on centre Ildar Abdrazakov who spilled the ball a metre from the Thai tryline.
Boonlon then dotted down just before the break, completing a quick counter-attack which began once again inside their own 22. Winger Pichit Yingcharoen added a third try midway through the second half as Thailand extended their lead.
With goal-kicking fullback Warongkorn Khamkoet in impeccable form with the boot, Thailand punished the frequent errors by Kazakhstan as Khamkoet knocked over four penalties and two conversions to finish with 16 points.
“This is a great win for us. It is the first time we have beaten Kazakhstan in the Asian Five Nations and coming in the first game of the tournament, it is a massive boost for our confidence,” said delighted Thai coach Tanyavit Kuasint.
Round one’s results see Sri Lanka top the tournament table on six points, five for the win plus a single bonus point for scoring four or more tries. Thailand is one off the pace with five points while Kazakhstan and Chinese Taipei are on one point each.
The next matches will see Sri Lanka play Thailand (16.00 local time) and Kazakhstan face off against Chinese Taipei (14.00 local time) on Wednesday 3rd of April at Havelocks RFC in Colombo.
The HSBC ARFU Coaching Tour is underway as well in Sri Lanka with clinics held for 600 youngsters already after only two days of the Tour.
The HSBC ARFU Coaching Tour will conduct activities in every province in Sri Lanka in the week ahead with over 6,200 participants, (the great majority of them new to rugby), registered to take part.
After reaching nearly 12,000 (11,800) youth in 2012, ARFU is targeting to engage over 20,000 youth in 2013. Participants in the coaching programme come from a wide variety of schools, youth-focused charities and social organisations with a focus on engaging first-time participants in rugby.
Following the Tour’s stop in Sri Lanka the HSBC ARFU coaches will be visiting Jakarta next week and conducting clinics for 1,000 local youth.
For more information please visit: www.asian5nations.com
About HSBC and Rugby
HSBC is a long-term investor in Rugby in Asia and around the world. As well as being the title sponsor of the Sevens World Series, Asian 5 Nations and Asian Sevens Series, the bank is co-title sponsor of the Hong Kong Sevens from 2012. HSBC is the Principal Partner of all the Hong Kong rugby teams, and the British & Irish Lions, who will play in Hong Kong in 2013 en route to Australia. The bank is also the title sponsor of the Waratahs Super 15 team in Australia, the Penguin International Coaching Academy and the Cobra 10s tournament in Malaysia.
Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU)
ARFU was founded in 1968 with eight member unions. In the past decade its membership has trebled to 28 full and associate member unions ranging from Kazakhstan in the north to Indonesia in the south and Lebanon in the west to Guam in the east. ARFU covers a territory of over 44 million sq. kilometres and more than three billion people. ARFU is the sanctioning body for the HSBC Asian 5 Nations, which every four years acts as the qualifying event for the Rugby World Cup, and the HSBC Asian Sevens Series, which was held for the first time in 2011. ARFU also offers organized international competition for women and youth across Asia.
ENDS
For enquiries regarding the HSBC Asian 5 Nations or interviews with the participating teams, please contact Sean Moore, Tournament Operations Manager, on sean.moore@elitestep.com or +852 9095 8889.
For more information on HSBC and Rugby, please contact Eric Chiu of Fast Track on eric.chiu@fasttrackagency.com.
31.03.2013
Kazakhstan v Thailand in Colombo (WCQ Asia Nations Div.1)
Sri Lanka v China Taipei in Colombo (WCQ Asia Nations Div.1)
Preview
This is a vital tournament which will decide who is promoted to the Asia 5 Nations elite division for 2014. The 2015 Rugby World Cup finalists will come from the elite division in 2014.
Kazakhstan was the team relegated from the Asia 5 Nations in 2012 whilst Thailand was promoted from Division 2.
Squads
![18[1]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFlIgJU4YNq0LOMVUAWREqSZAplTgMKc_vI4WpSZcsFeFamcpvPOlEyI4cwjD14mecQ5JdAAEL8f9Xe9USmKw3-kvW_U-GOdJRKe38ydK8xwQwm_jSj4bUPc14UwlPmuy-dPgv0JD3Wc/s1600-h/18%25255B1%25255D%25255B2%25255D.gif "18[1]")
Sri Lanka-The only one I can get!
1 Yoshitha Rajapaksa (Captain), 3rd Row, SL Navy SC
2 Fazil Marija (Vice Captain), Fly Half , Kandy SC
3 Henry Terence , Prop Forward, Havelock SC
4 Dushmantha Priyadarshana, Prop Forward, Havelock SC
5 Kishore Jehan, Prop Forward , Kandy SC
6 Sathya Ranathunaga , Prop Forward , SL Navy SC
7 Namal Rajapaksa , Hooker , SL Navy SC
8 Anuranga Walpola , Hooker , Kandy SC
9 Dinesh Sanjeewa , Lock Forward , Kandy SC
10 Shenal Dias , 2nd Row , Havelock SC
11 Hasitha Perera , Lock Forward , Upcountry Lions
12 Sajith Saranga , Lock Forward , Upcountry Lions
13 Sayuru Anthony , 3rd Row , SL Navy SC
14 Sharo Fernando , 3rd Row , Upcountry Lions
15 Sumedha Malewana , 3rd Row , SL Navy SC
16 Roshan Weeraratne , Scrum Half , Kandy SC
17 Rehan Weerakoon , Fly Half , SL Navy SC
18 Dinusha Chathuranga , Center , SL Navy SC
19 Chula Susantha , Center , SL Navy SC
20 Gayan Weeraratne , Center , Kandy SC
21 Pradeep Liyanage , Center , Kandy SC
22 Chamara Dabare , Winger , Havelock SC
23 Sandun Herath , Winger , Havelock SC
24 Mohamed Sheriff , Full Back , Havelock SC
25 Riza Mubarak , Full Back , SL Navy SC
Stand By :
1 Jason Dissanayake , Lock Forward , Vidyaratha College
2 Uchitha Jayasooriya , Hooker , Upcountry Lions
3 Ishan Noor , 2nd Row , CR & FC
4 Niroshan Fernando , Fly Half , Havelock SC
5 Saliya Handapangoda , Winger , SL Navy SC
6 Eranga Swarnathilake , Prop Forward , SL Navy SC
7 Achala Perera , Hooker , Kandy SC
8 Charith Senaviratne , Center , Air Force
http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4221&start=15
![19[1]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghW3aNsTCm-z08LLihSDBfsWU4IxNcMDAFhBCJMcGMWSLd78DRWv9nozM9Q-dlb7xBXYMh1GQC9ol_BEq66drhZSg39MCS3WRBa24D3-9Al1PD0T7ej2ToLY5UwEpqw3DQSsdRavw9yKQ/s1600-h/19%25255B1%25255D%25255B2%25255D.gif "19[1]")
Kazakhstan Thailand China Taipei
Kazakhstan v Thailand in Colombo (WCQ Asia Nations Div.1)
Preview
In this encounter a lot will depend upon the strength of the Kazak side. I’d expect them to be vigorous and strong in the forwards. Thailand, in the past, has been a very good attacking side. Chalk and cheese? I would expect the Kazakhstan side to be too strong up front.
Previous Encounters
03.11.2007 Kazakhstan 69-21 in Colombo (Asiad Cup)
28.10.2004 Thailand 37-36 in Hong Kong (19th Asia Championship)
12.10.2003 Kazakhstan 56-17 in Kazakhstan (Asia Tournament)
20.11.2002 Thailand 31-24 in Bangkok (18th Asia Championship)
GWC Rugby Rankings
Asia Table-Kazakhstan 5th, Thailand 10th
IRB Ranking Points
Kazakhstan 51.28, Thailand 42.90
Prediction: Kazakhstan by 19 points.
Sri Lanka v China Taipei in Colombo (WCQ Asia Nations Div.1)
Preview
Two of the original members of the Asia Rugby Union clash in this important encounter. In recent years Sri Lanka has dominated the Chinese side and I can’t see that situation changing for this game.
Previous Encounters
15.04.2012 Sri Lanka 36-8 in Manilla (WCQ Asia Nations Div.1)
14.04.2010 Sri Lanka 37-7 in Singapore (Asia Nations Div.1)
08.04.2009 China Taipei 36-24 in Dubai (WCQ Asia Nations Div.1)
15.11.2008 China Taipei 35-23 in Tainan (Asia Nations Div.1)
13.10.2002 China Taipei 56-18 in Pusan (Asia Games)
GWC Rugby Rankings
Asia Table-Sri Lanka 7th, China Taipei 8th
IRB Ranking Points
Sri Lanka 47.60, China Taipei 43.19
Prediction: Sri Lanka by 18 points
14.07.2012
India v Thailand in Bangkok (WCQ Asia Asia Nations Div.1 Playoff)
Venue: Thephasdin Stadium
Referee: Harada Takashi (Japan)
Preview
Surprisingly there has been very little publicity about this game on the net. The Thai rugby web site acknowledges the game is on and that’s it.
Thailand won the Asia Nations Division 2 tournement held recently in Kuala Lumpur.At the same time India were winning Division 3. As per the World Cup qualifying process the winners of Division 2 and 3 were to play for the right to go to Division 1 for 2013. This would enable the Division 3 winner to leap-frog straight to Division 1 and speed up its qualifying chances.
The favourite has to be Thailand as they have been playing at a higher level of test rugby whilst hosting the fixture. At this level of rugby home ground is a big advantage.
Previous Encounters
04.05.2011 Thailand 37-24 in Bangkok (Asia Nations Div.2, Semi-final)
11.06.2008 Thailand 30-22 in Bangkok (WCQ Asia R1; Asia Nat. Div.2)
07.06.2006 Thailand 50-28 in Bangkok (Asia Tournament, Div 4)
26.06.2004 Thailand 86-12 in Bangkok (Asia Tournament Div.4)
16.11.2002 Thailand 67-10 in Bangkok (18th Asia Champ.Div.2, Pool 2)
These two teams first met in 1998. Thailand won 90-6. Results indicate that India, as a rugby test nations, has made considerable progress since 1998
GWC Rugby Rankings
Thailand 10th, India 13th
IRB Ranking Points
Thailand 42.90, India 41.35
Prediction: Thailand by 13 points
![59[1]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXSIsnjD7c6_n7IRAxub02-qtnPHQeRrMQn8Ua_9RbHMYCUpA8U6dg3kfX9Vdql3PfR3RdpZDD4GRe19i_E9rxbG8qFAp35gUIC5nud2IJge0h-PN94NJ-5Ji1OCV9inIqExA04pv7S7w/s1600-h/59%25255B1%25255D%25255B2%25255D.gif "59[1]")
Teams not yet available
02.06.2012
Thailand v Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur (WCQ Asia; Asia Nat. Div. 2, Final)
Venue: Stadium Petaling Jaya
Referee:
Preview
Traditional rugby rivals in Asia, the history of Thailand against their Malaysian neighbours goes back to the mid fifties. In 1955 they contested the King’s Cup for the first time. Malaya (as it was called then) thumped their neighbours 47-6 in Bangkok to win the cup. This set up a rivalry that has persisted to this day, although whether the King’s Cup still survives is another question.
Thailand dominated its neighbour after that winning most matches up to 1990. A number of drawn contests followed with Malaysia winning 25-18 in Kuala Lumpur in 1993. Malaysia’s losing trend continued until they won in 1999. They lost again in 2002 but won again in 2006. Thailand has continued to dominate in the two encounters since.
For a full list of all Thailand-Malaysia rugby test matches go to www.rugbyinternational.net
This should prove to be a close encounter. Malaysia comes off a convincing but easy 89-0 win over China. That result may not have prepared them enough for this tough test match. They have the home crowd and ground advantage.
Thailand had a tough win over Iran on Thursday. This may have sapped some energy. On the other hand they should be toughened up for this crucial match. The winner gets to play the Division 3 winner (India) in a Rugby World Cup qualifying play off.
Last Five Encounters
14.06.2008 Thailand 30-7 in Bangkok (WCQ Asia R1; Asia Nations Div.2, Final)
10.11.2007 Thailand 44-7 in Colombo (Asiad Cup)
22.07.2006 Malaysia 36-27 in Bangkok (Asia Tournament. Tier 4)
16.06.2001 Thailand 29-13 in Bangkok (Asia Plate)
1999 Malaysia 18-14 in Ipoh Padang (Int. Quad. Tournament; Kings Cup)
Note: I don’t have any record of the Kings Cup being played since 1999. If not Malaysia holds that cup!
Thailand Last Five
31.05.2012 v Iran W 37-17 in Kuala Lumpur (WCQ Asia; Asia Nations Div.2)
07.05.2011 v Chinese Taipei L 10-22 in Bangkok (Asia Nations Div.2, Final)
04.05.2011 v India W 37-24 in Bangkok (Asia Nations Div.2, SF)
05.06.2010 v China W 56-3 in New Delhi (Asia Nations Div.2, 3rd-4th)
02.06.2010 v Philippines L 33-53 in New Delhi (Asia Nations Div.2, SF)
Malaysia Last Five
31.05.2012 v China W 89-0 in Kuala Lumpur (WCQ Asia; Asia Nations Div.2 SF)
04.06.2011 v Philippines L 20-86 in Ansan (Asia Nations Div.1, 3rd-4th)
01.06.2011 v Singapore L 17-52 in Ansan (Asia Nations Div.1, Semi-final)
17.04.2010 v Chinese Taipei W 35-8 in Singapore (Asia Nations Div.1, 3rd-4th)
14.04.2010 v Singapore L 20-22 in Singapore (Asia Nations Div.1, 3rd-4th)
GWC Rugby Rankings
Asia Table-Malaysia 10th, Thailand 11th
IRB Ranking Points
Malaysia 43.05, Thailand 41.74
Prediction: It could either way. Malaysia by 6 points
Teams
Malaysia Squad
1. Mohd Syahir Asyraf bin Rosli (Team Captain)
2. Mohd Khuzaidi bin Abdullah (Assistant Team Captain)
3. Amadis Chong Yuen Jun
4. Azman bin Osman
5. Badrul bin Musa@Muktee
6. Dineswaran a/l Krishnan
7. Helbarth Jemlit
8. Khairul Nizar bin Shamsudin
9. Kini Rosolosolo
10. Megat Zubaidi bin Buang
11. Mohamad Amin bin Jamaludin
12. Mohamad Nazeer bin Mohamed Nesharah
13. Mohd Farid Syazwan bin Abu Bakar
14. Mohd Hafizh bin Zainal
15. Mohd Zulkifli bin Azmi
16. Mohd Nizard bin Mohd Noor
17. Mohd Razif bin Zainol Abidin
18. Mohd Shafiq Marican bin Ariffin
19. Muhammad Fazrin bin Noor Zaid
20. Nathaneal Tan Aik Ming
21. Ras Suhael Nur Rahim bin Razbi
22. Ras Hurairah bin Razbi
23. Timoci Nacocula
24. Veliameveto Tuinivanua
Thailand Squad not available
31.05.2012
Thailand 37, Iran 17 in Kuala Lumpur (WCQ Asia; Asia Nations Div.2, SF 1)
Malaysia 89, China 0 in Kuala Lumpur (WCQ Asia; Asia Nations Div.2, SF 2)
Finals Day Saturday
02.06.2012
Thailand v Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur (WCQ Asia; Asia Nations Div.2, Final)
Iran v China in Kuala Lumpur (WCQ Asia; Asia Nations Div.2, 3rd-4th)
Finals day will decide who goes up to Asia Nations Division 1 for 2013, and who drops to Division 3 for 2013.
For the first time in the history of Asia Nations test rugby, two tournaments will be held at the same venue Kuala Lumpur. All the test matches will be played at the Stadium Petaling Jaya.
![55[1]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7AWliE5KOAIT-_nd62ErrMZGtd3kBgPLXX2MGX9RUmEXp9po0JPJwVOWP60TtzXHdq7wtwweK43_sLEAaKPEFClNJmcQgEu-DcEBbDIHkQdRZ3rP8MjPUVwQpClpIiulFxgrgLsvQVc/s1600-h/5512.gif "55[1]")
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Staring Wednesday, the Asia Nations Division 3 competition, involving Guam, Indonesia, Pakistan and India, will start a week of intensive rugby.
![72[1]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq19J2hiYBZrsPIFLbujJEwQWuzfIdf9X0NeaydMdZr8YrpKa4u2JtDhVKAj0aGhiKvg4oozP-evg5nezizj5n3HaOm91QGBysfSO6omRzYsrLsYclP1mHySg0i7MNMjtFPjlDdf92UdA/s1600-h/7212.gif "72[1]")
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The following day, Thursday, sees Asia Nations Division 2 kick off with hosts Malaysia, Thailand, Iran and China competing for a place in Division 2.
Division 3 will conclude with finals day Friday, whilst Division 2 finals day is Saturday.
Chinese Taipei Outlast Thailand in Div II Final, Iran Sends India to Division III
[Bangkok, 7 May 2011]: Japan made it 14-straight wins in the HSBC Asian Five Nations as they beat Kazakhstan 61-0 at Bangkok’s National Stadium on Saturday night. In other Week 3 action, Hong Kong made a strong bid to take the runners-up slot for the first time in the tournament’s history with a convincing 48-3 win over Sri Lanka in Colombo.
On a hot and humid night in the Thai capital, John Kirwan’s team overcame a poor first half and some even poorer handling to run in nine tries, with Shaun Webb and Atsushi Tanabe adding four conversions apiece.
Hooker Takeshi Kizu showed his mobility by grabbing four tries and there were further five-pointers for Tanabe, Koji Taira, Alisi Tupuailai, Goshi Tachikawa and Justin Ives as Japan gave the good and vocal crowd - that contained a mix of locals, Japanese ex-pats and ex-pats of other nationalities – a glimpse of what they are capable of.
“That was much better than last week though we still left quite a bit out on the field,” said Kirwan. “There were far too many errors for my liking but the structures were much better,” he added.
Japan’s Taniguchi in action
v Kazakhstan. Photo Kenji Demura/RJP
The first half had seen Japan get off to a good start with Tanabe crossing in the second half. But as was the case last week in Hong Kong, Japan made a number of errors and could only add three more tries in the first 40 minutes – through Taira, Kizu and Tupuailai – as they went into the break leading 28-0.
An injury to Taira didn’t help, forcing Kirwan to re-arrange his backline. But the backs in particular were guilty of too many mistakes. “We just seemed to try and push the pass, especially in the backs,” said Kirwan.
The second half saw more of the same, with Kazakhstan denied any possession and Japan not making full use of all of the ball that came their way. The Kazakhs didn’t do themselves any favours either, with both Tairzhan Arzuev and Serik Zhanseitov sent to the sin bin for not retreating 10 metres at a penalty. Yet even with a man advantage Japan were still unable to open the floodgates as in last year’s 101-7 rout.
“There were times like I felt we were ready to break out. We just need to show some more patience,” said Kirwan. “But at least we zeroed them so that’s a positive.”
Chinese Taipei wins HSBC Asian 5 Nations Division II
The game was the third of three games held in Bangkok today that also saw the promotion and relegation spots from Division Two determined. Chinese Taipei beat hosts Thailand 22-10 to earn a place in Division One in 2012, while India were relegated following a 30-19 defeat to Iran.
In a game of intense physicality and commitment, Chinese Taipei and Thailand matched one another throughout an enthralling encounter. The game wasn’t decided until the closing minutes when Lee Chun-Wen and Chen Kuo-Lun crossed to break a 10-10 deadlock.
The defeat was a bitter pill to swallow for the good and vibrant crowd in attendance. Thailand had an early lead through a penalty by fullback Prasertying Art-Ong, but the visitors were quick to balance things with a penalty of their own by Pan Chih-Hsiang.
With the Chinese Taipei forwards having a slight edge, Cheng Cheng-Hung rumbled over following a well organized driving maul in the 30th minute. Pan added the extras as Chinese Taipei went into the break leading 10-3. But it could have been closer with Prasertying guilty of missing two relatively simple kicks at goal.
Despite the heat and humidity, both sides maintained the intensity in the second half and the local supporters lifted the roof when a try by prop Anusaen Somjate – his third of the tournament – and a conversion by Prasertying pulled the teams level. With time running out though, it was the visitors who had the last laugh as the Thai defence finally wilted.
Chinese Taipei celebrate their promotion
to Division 1 for 2012. Photo Kenji Demura/RJP
Earlier, Amin Hosseinzadeh was Iran’s hero, the flyhalf weighing in with two tries, two conversions and two penalties in the victory over India. Hosseinzadeh was ably supported by fullback Ramin Najafi, who also weighed in with a try and who looked dangerous every time he had ball in hand.
“It was important to get back to Iran with a result,” said coach Wayne Marsters, whose side had finished two points short of Chinese Taipei in their opening game.
Iran sent India to Division 3 for 2012
Photo Kenji Demura/RJP
Hot Hong Kong overcome Sri Lanka
Hong Kong moved a step closer to finishing second in the 2011 HSBC Asian Five Nations Top Five tournament for the first time in the tournament’s history after they hammered Sri Lanka 48-3 in steamy Colombo on Saturday.
An emphatic display of running rugby from both forwards and backs earned Hong Kong seven tries leaving the home team floundering in hot and humid conditions. It was Hong Kong who adapted better, and with the forwards, led by impressive No.8 Pale Tauti, dominating loose play, the outcome was never in doubt.
“This is probably not conditions to play a rugby match in. People don’t realize what both teams underwent out there. It was draining humidity, and it was unbelievably hot. Both sides suffered big time but all credit to our guys,” said Hong Kong national coach Dai Rees.
Outstanding flyhalf Keith Robertson led the rush to the tryline, grabbing a brace and was matched by inside centre Lee Jones who scored on either side of the break. Left-winger Rowan Varty and substitute scrum-half Tim Alexander completed the half-a-dozen tries scored by the backs with Tauti being the only forward to cross the line.
But the kudos should go to the hard-working pack whose rolling mauls and driving play set the foundation for Robertson and his backline to dominate. Robertson finished the game with a personal tally of 17, including two conversions and a penalty. Skipper Tom McColl also knocked over three conversions.
Sri Lanka’s solitary points came from a penalty by fullback Saliya Kumara.
“It was an outstanding performance. This is the biggest win since I’ve been involved with Hong Kong, and I think the biggest win for us in the Five Nations. With this win we can now look at finishing second, a place we deserve to be thanks to the hard work of the players,” Rees added.
Hong Kong’s fullback Ross Armour
goes aerial v Sri Lanka.
Photo Thusith Wijederu/DigiEye
Hong Kong will have a bye next weekend. They will welcome it having been on the road for the last four weeks, including a pre-tournament tour to the Philippines. The break will also give Hong Kong wingers Rowan Varty and Salom Yiu Kam-shing time to recover from injuries. Varty hurt his left shoulder and Yiu twisted his ankle. Both players were lost in the space of a couple of minutes just before the break.
But Hong Kong made light of their absence as they turned on the style in the second half, running in tries from all corners of the field thanks to good passages of play between backs and forwards.
“It was tough conditions out there today. But all credit to the guys. They stuck it out,” said Hong Kong skipper Tom McColl. “I didn’t expect that we would score seven tries for Sri Lanka is a passionate side and they had a big crowd supporting them. But they suffered in the heat.”
The heat will only intensify for Sri Lanka as they now travel to Almaty for a must-win match on the road against Kazakhstan next Saturday.
Today’s Top 5 results see Japan grab its customary top of the table slot with 12 points from two consecutive wins and two bonus points for scoring four or more tries in each of its matches so far. Hong Kong leaps into second spot on eleven points from its wins in Kazakhstan and today, plus its first bonus point of the season for scoring four or more tries.
Despite the frenzied weekend of rugby, the HSBC Asian 5 Nations again took time out to support the development of the game at the grassroots level – this time in Thailand. Children from the SOS Children’s Village Bangpoo were among those supporting Thailand as a follow-up to a clinic by the HSBC ARFU Rugby Coaching Tour on Thursday, in which John Kirwan was among the coaches.
Former Scotland boss Frank Hadden, Dean Herewini of the HSBC Penguin International Coaching Academy and ARFU Development Officer Ismail Kadir led the six-day series of coaching activities in and around Bangkok, which included Tuesday and Friday sessions with Vajiravudh College.
On Saturday morning, Hadden led a clinic for youngsters from the Bangkok Japan and Bangkok Lions rugby clubs, while Sunday marks the last of the IRB-certified referee coaching courses for match officials from across Asia.
HSBC renewed its title sponsorship of the Asian 5 Nations for another three years in January and furthered its investment in rugby in the region by announcing sponsorship of the new Asian Sevens Series later this year. Both competitions will be supported by the HSBC ARFU Rugby Coaching Tour, which travels across Asia introducing children to the sport.
For further details, visit: www.asian5nations.com
HSBC Asian 5 Nations/ARFU – Sean Moore, Tournament Operations Manager, Mob: +852 9095-8889, Email: sean.moore@elitestep.com
Thailand hoping history repeats itself in Division II Final
For the first time ever, the HSBC Asian 5 Nations will celebrate a neutral Top 5 match with the clash between Japan and Kazakhstan, (last year’s number 1 and 2 respectively in Asia), serving as an Asian rugby showcase match for the HSBC Division II Finals in Bangkok.
Division II opened with a bang on Wednesday as Chinese Taipei edged Iran in a thriller 34 – 31 and the hosts Thailand raced out of the starting blocks to take home an impressive 37-24 win over second seeds India.
India, who will welcome the late arrival of talented fullback/flyhalf Rohan Sethna, will now face Iran in what promises to be a titanic battle in Bangkok with relegation to Division III at risk. The 3rd/4th place playoff will kick off at 14.00 (Bangkok Time) at Supachalasai Stadium.
Hosts Thailand will hope that history repeats itself after winning the last A5N Division II Tournament held in Thailand in 2008. Thailand will face top seeds Chinese Taipei at 16.00 (Bangkok time) for the honour of promotion to next year’s HSBC A5N Division I competition.
The excitement will be followed by a Thailand Women’s Sevens exhibition match with a team comprised of local celebrities before the showcase of the evening: Japan v Kazakhstan (kick-off at 19.00).
Thanks to Sean Moore, Asia RFU
07.05.2011
Thailand v Chinese Taipei in Bangkok (Final)
![19[1]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8MxVq9VE4JPn3CqCnz7pU-Zqaga_UGpDPm-aHQjWNEi5xlztppHuUGZP5VExdt6nvIDbfz4xsrviJkaxmJOVUAAySEqTrxWBypypkFuuwZrgZiWEJQKS_7fdEW6oy_kRIdbWBGyLN87c/s1600-h/19%5B1%5D%5B2%5D.gif "19[1]")
Last Five Encounters
05.11.2007 Chinese Taipei 27-16 in Colombo (Asiad Cup)
19.05.2007 Chinese Taipei 22-3 in Bangkok (Asia Nations Div.4)
02.11.1996 Chinese Taipei 53-15 in Tainan (15th Asian Championship)
13.11.1988 Chinese Taipei 32-9 in Hong Kong (11th Asian Championship)
29.11.1986 Thailand 32-12 in Bangkok (10th Asian Championship)
It has been 25 years since Thailand last defeated Chinese Taipei. They are in a fine position to reverse recent trends.
GWC Rugby Rankings
Asia Table-Chinese Taipei 9th, Thailand 10th
IRB Ranking Points
Chinese Taipei 42.58, Thailand 40.84
Prediction: Chinese Taipei by 8
Teams not available
India v Iran in Bangkok (Playoff 3rd-4th)
![59[1]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWoXugSJoHmmnlg3KSuPMMHxu6ntoR31ROq0PXzLvP00GUNnnsTbBhjhD5x4JcXSkhDBpuLfwp52wxZSiRsTg3HHseW-A0_oC7H-HBeNvOo1a-cSbvC6gtXg74VETNjiIocCOb-lmQfTA/s1600-h/59%5B1%5D%5B2%5D.gif "59[1]")
Previous Encounter
08.11.2007 Iran 39-7 in Colombo (Asiad Shield)
GWC Rugby Rankings
Asia Table-India 11th, Iran 14th
IRB Ranking points do not apply
Prediction: Very close. Iran by 1 point
Teams not available
Predictions
[Bangkok, May 4, 2011]: Hosts Thailand have reached the final of the HSBC Asian 5 Nations Division II tournament after beating India 37-24 this evening at Supachalasai National Stadium in Bangkok. In the other semi-final, top seeds outlasted a strong challenge from fourth seeds Iran 34-31 in an exciting seesaw battle.
Today’s matches mark the return of the HSBC Asian 5 Nations to Thailand for the first time since the tournament’s inception in 2008. On that occasion, Thailand defended its home turf to win promotion to Division I. It is a prospect that the Thais will be hoping to repeat in the Division II final on Saturday (kick-off at 16.00 local time). This weekend also marks the first ever neutral HSBC Asian 5 Nations (HSBC A5N) Top 5 match in tournament history as defending champions Japan face off against last year’s runners-up Kazakhstan on Saturday evening (kick off 19.00 local time).
The HSBC Asian 5 Nations Division II competition opened with an exciting seesaw battle between top ranked Chinese Taipei (relegated from Division I in 2010) and fourth seeds Iran (promoted after winning Division III last year in Jakarta). Both sides needed the early stages to settle nerves and shake off rust before finding their rhythm. Chinese Taipei would be the first to strike, through a well-taken penalty by flyhalf Pan Chih-Hsiang, who contributed 9 points this afternoon with the boot.
Chinese Taipei then extended their lead to 8-nil after a try to winger Wu Wei-Luan. Although Chinese Taipei was threatening to pull away at that stage, it would prove to be the largest lead of the entire match. Iran’s first points came through a try to winger Reza Daghaghele, bringing the score to 8-7 after the conversion.
In what would become a pattern for the match, Chinese Taipei centre Hung Pen-Chiao quickly replied with a try to edge his side further ahead 15-7 after the conversion. Iran scored its second try just five minutes later, to edge within penalty range at 15-12 at the half.
In the second half, the physical challenge presented by Iran seemed destined to tip the balance permanently in favour of the Iranians. Flanker Mohammad Khalili barreled over for a try to open the second half and take its first lead 19-15.
But Chinese Taipei winger Wu Wei-Luan then completed his brace of tries moments later to return his side to prominence at 20-19. Disaster was in the cards for the leaders when hooker Chiu Min-Ching was sin-binned for failing to wrap his arms in the tackle. The man advantage to the physically impressive Iranian pack threatened to tip the balance in favour of the underdogs who with a try through towering No. 8 Yoosef Jalali for the second lead change of the second half. Amin Hossein Zadeh’s successful conversion then brought the score to 26-20.
Iranian hopes of an upset were dashed when moments later they gave up a penalty try for repeated infringements while defending their line against the man-down Chinese Taipei. The successful conversion restored Chinese Taipei’s lead at 27-26 with 15 minutes left on the clock. In the 71st minute, Hung Pen-Chiao completed his own brace of tries scoring beneath the posts to edge ahead 34-26 after the conversion.
Iran never gap up and eventually narrowed the gap to 34-31 after fullback Ramin Najafi scored a late try. But time ran out on the valiant efforts of Iran and Chinese Taipei progressed to the Division II finals on Saturday.
Iran failed to upend Chinese Taipei
In the day’s second match, hosts Thailand delighted a partisan crowd for the weekday opener by beating second-ranked India 37-24 to book their own place in Saturday’s final and earn a chance for promotion in 2012.
Led by burly prop Somjate Anusaen whose brace of tries opened the scoring in both the first and second halves, Thailand controlled much of the possession and consistently looked the more threatening side. Fullback Art-Ong Prasertying added the conversion for Anusaen’s try and a penalty on his way to 12 points this afternoon. Thailand’s second try came moments later as winger Pannapat Pooltharat finished off a flowing backline move to push the hosts out to an early 15-0 lead.
India didn’t get on the board until the 30th minute when their own powerful prop Lochab Devinder barreled over for his first of two tries on the afternoon. Devinder’s try was converted by Lama Sujas to bring the score to 15-7 in Thailand’s favour at the half.
The second half saw Thailand burst out of the blocks with Anusaen scoring his second try five minutes into the second half. Prasertying’s conversion saw the lead extended to 22-7, before flyhalf Thanawatr Jamkrajang pulled his side further ahead with a try on the 50th minute to extend the lead to 27-7. India replied again through Devinder as they looked to use their size advantage to greater effect. The conversion by Lama brought India’s tally to 14 points against 27.
Prasertying would add another penalty moments later closely followed by Jamkrajang’s second try of the match to bring the lead to 37-14 after the conversion. India finally found another gear late in the game, scoring two tries in the final ten minutes through winger Vikas Khatri and barrelling centre Rohit Singh but they couldn’t erase the gap as they fell 24-37 to the hosts.
Thai prop Somjate Anusaen barrels over for his second try.
With its victory today, Thailand has set the stage for a repeat of their hosting of the same tournament in 2008, when they beat Malaysia to secure their spot in the 2009 Division I final. Thai captain Tanyavit Kuasint is hoping history repeats itself on Saturday afternoon.
“This win was an important one for us in front of our home crowds. Our fans are expecting us to win and to be promoted. For me personally, it is also important as this is my tenth year representing Thailand and I will probably step down from the national set-up after this year. I really want to get us back to Division I before I make way for the younger players.”
Thai coach Atapol Wongratana echoed the sentiments of his captain saying, “This is a very good start for us but we can still play much better. Our union expects us to gain promotion as we are hosting in front of our own supporters. We will need a big effort against Chinese Taipei’s forwards but we still have a lot left in the tank and the players can still reach a higher level of performance.”
The HSBC Asian 5 Nations Division II finals will be held on Saturday, May 7, 2011 at Supachalasai Stadium in Bangkok. India will face Iran in the 3rd/4th place playoff (14.00 local time) while Chinese Taipei meets Thailand in the Division II final (16.00 local time).
Admission fees are 200 Thai Baht for the covered grandstand seating and 100 Thai Baht for general admission seating. The proceeds from the ticket sale will be donated to disaster relief for the Tsunami victims in Japan and for victims of recent flooding in Southern Thailand.
ENDS
HSBC Asian 5 Nations/ARFU – Sean Moore, Tournament Operations Manager, Mob: +852 9095-8889, Email: sean.moore@elitestep.com
HSBC ARFU Rugby Coaching Tour – contact John Higginson, Communications Director, Fast Track HK, Tel: +852 2616-2707 Mob: +852 6626-1443 Email: john.higginson@fasttrackagency.com
HSBC and Rugby – Jonny Hamp, Head of Rugby Sponsorship - Asia, HSBC Holdings,Tel: +852 2822-3423 Mob: +852 6750-3262 Email: jonnyhamp@hsbc.com.hk
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