16.05.2015
Hong Kong scored a last minute try to snatch this game away from Korea. The Koreans suffered a red card during the game and a yellow later in the game. This created opportunities that Hong Kong took. The win was not enough to force Korea off the second place on the table.
Sri Lanka, winner of Division 1, has decided not to challenge Hong Kong for a place in ARC Top 3 2016.
16.05.2015
Venue: Namdong Rugby Ground, Seoul
Image thanks to www.skyscrapercity.com
Live streaming
http://eversport.tv/rugby/asian-rugby-championship/2015/5/16/top-3-south-korea-vs-hong-kong?video=58326
Preview
This test rugby match will decide 2nd place in the 2015 ARC Top 3. There is not a lot hinging on the loser as Sri Lanka, winner of 2015 ARC Division 1, will not challenge the 3rd place team for a place in the 2016 ARC Top 3.
My records show that Hong Kong has never defeated Korea in Korea in a rugby test match. I can’t see that changing Saturday
Other previews
http://www.asian5nations.com/HKG-set-for-skirmish-in-South-Korea
Last Five Encounters
25.05.2015 Korea 33-26 in Hong Kong (ARC Top 3)
10.05.2014 Hong Kong 39-6 in Hong Kong (Asia 5 Nations)
18.05.2013 Korea 43-27 in Ansan (Asia 5 Nations)
05.05.2012 Korea 21-19 in Hong Kong (Asia 5 Nations)
24.04.2010 Hong Kong 32-8 in Hong Kong (WCQ Asia R2; Asia 5 Nations)
Korea last Five P 5, W 2, L 3
25.04.2015 v Hong Kong W 33-26 in Hong Kong (ARC Top 3)
18.04.2015 v Japan L 30-56 in Incheon (ARC Top 3)
24.05.2014 v Philippines W 52-22 in Makati (WCQ Asia; Asia 5 Nations)
17.05.2014 v Japan L 5-62 in Incheon (WCQ Asia; Asia 5 Nations)
10.05.2014 v Hong Kong L 6-39 in Hong Kong (WCQ Asia; Asia 5 Nations)
Hong Kong Last Five P 5, L 5
02.05.2015 v Japan L 0-41 in Tokyo (ARC Top 3)
25.04.2015 v Korea L 26-33 in Hong Kong (ARC Top 3)
15.11.2014 v Russia L 27-39 in Hong Kong (Ustinov Cup, 2nd test)
08.11.2014 v Russia L 10-31 in Hong Kong (Ustinov Cup, 1st test)
25.05.2014 v Japan L 8-49 in Tokyo (WCA Asia; Asia 5 Nations)
GWC Rugby Rankings
Asia table: Korea 2nd, Hong Kong 3rd
World Rugby Ranking Points
Korea 58.35, Hong Kong 54.64
Prediction: Korea by 14 points
TEAMS
Hong Kong
1. John Aikman
2. Lachlan Chubb
3. Jack Parfitt
4. Paul Dwyer
5. Adrian Griffiths (Debut)
6. Matt Lamming
7. Toby Fenn
8. Nick Hewson (captain)
9. Lee Ka To
10. Ben Rimene
11. Yiu Kam Shing
12. Max Woodward
13. Jamie Hood
14. Tom McQueen
15. Alex McQueen
16. Alex Harris
17. Wei Hon Sum
18. Jack Nielsen
19. Jack Delaforce
20. Alex Baddeley
21. Damian Bailey
22. Tyler Spitz
23. Niall Rowark
24. Adam Rolston
https://www.facebook.com/hkrugby
Korea Squad Not available
09.05.2015
Venue: Fukuoka
Referee: Matthew Rodden (Hong Kong)
Preview
The clash of the No.1 Asian team with the No.2 team is one of the test rugby highlights this weekend.
Korea is a vastly improved side from last season. They recorded 30 points against Japan when they first met in April and then defeated Hong Kong away 33-26 two weeks ago. They lost against Hong Kong last year in Hong Kong 6-39. However many top players have been rested for the crucial games against Hong Kong next weekend
Japan are the favourites and in light of a much weaker Korean team taking the field they should win easily.Japanese coach Eddie Jones will not be pleased at the leaking of 30 points to Korea earlier. He has picked his most experienced side available.Shinya Makabe (Suntory Sungoliath) and legend Hitoshi Ono (Toshiba Brave Lupus) are both still injured. So whilst this is not Japan at full strength it certainly will be enough to easily defeat a depleted Korea Saturday.
Other Previews
http://www.japonrugby.net/le-xv-japonais-face-a-la-coree-du-sud-2015-2.php (In French)
Last Five Encounters
18.04.2015 Japan 56-30 in Incheon (ARC Top 3)
17.05.2014 Japan 62-5 in Incheon (WCQ Asia; Asia 5 Nations)
04.05.2013 Japan 65-5 in Tokyo (WCQ Asia; Asia 5 Nations)
12.05.2012 Japan 52-8 in Seoul (Asia 5 Nations)
01.05.2010 Japan 71-13 in Daegu (WCQ Asia R2; Asia 5 Nations)
In 2004 Korea drew 19-19 with Japan in Tokyo as part of an Asia Tournament. Korea last defeated Japan in 2002 when they won 45-34 in the gold medal game at the Asia Games held in Korea.
Japan Last Five P 5, W 4, L 1
02.05.2015 v Hong Kong W 41-0 in Tokyo (ARC Top 3)
18.04.2015 v Korea W 56-30 in Incheon (ARC Top 3)
23.11.2014 v Georgia L 24-35 in Tbilisi
15.11.2014 v Romania W 18-13 in Bucharest
21.06.2014 v Italy W 26-23 in Tokyo
Korea last Five P 5, W 2, L 3
25.04.2015 v Hong Kong W 33-26 in Hong Kong (ARC Top 3)
18.04.2015 v Japan L 30-56 in Incheon (ARC Top 3)
24.05.2014 v Philippines W 52-22 in Makati (WCQ Asia; Asia 5 Nations)
17.05.2014 v Japan L 5-62 in Incheon (WCQ Asia; Asia 5 Nations)
10.05.2014 v Hong Kong L 6-39 in Hong Kong (WCQ Asia; Asia 5 Nations)
GWC Rugby Rankings
Asia Table: Japan 1st, Korea 2nd
World Rugby Ranking Points
Japan 74.70, Korea 58.38
Prediction: Japan by 62 points. Score 70-8
TEAMS
Japan
1-Hisateru Hirashima (Kobelco Steelers, 36 caps) 2-Takeshi Kizu (Kobelco Steelers, 32 caps) 3-(c) Kensuke Hatakeyama (Suntory Sungoliath, 62 caps) 4-Shoji Ito (Kobelco Steelers, 30 caps) 5-Kazuhiko Usami (Canon Eagles, 2 caps) 6-Justin Ives (Canon Eagles, 25 caps) 7-Tsuyoshi Murata (NEC Green Rockets, 2 caps) 8-Ryu Koliniasi Holani (Panasonic Wild Knights, 37 caps) 9-Atsushi Hiwasa (Suntory Sungoliath, 40 caps) 10-Harumichi Tatekawa (Kubota Spears, 30 caps) 11-Kenki Fukuoka (Tsukuba Univ., 11 caps) 12-Yu Tamura (NEC Green Rockets, 28 caps) 13-Karne Hesketh (Munakata Sanix Blues, 4 caps) 14-Yoshikazu Fujita (Waseda Univ., 20 caps) 15-Ayumu Goromaru (Yamaha Jubilo, 45 caps)
Remplaçants:
16-Masataka Mikami (Toshiba Brave Lupus, 25 caps) 17-Hiroki Yuhara (Toshiba Brave Lupus, 19 caps) 18-Hiroshi Yamashita (Kobelco Steelers, 38 caps) 19-Luke Thompson (Kintetsu Liners, 51 caps) 20-Hayden Hopgood ( ? , 5 caps) 21-Yuki Yatomi (Yamaha Jubilo, 14 caps) 22-Ryohei Yamanaka (Kobelco Steelers, 2 caps) 23-Toshiaki Hirose (Toshiba Brave Lupus, 25 caps)
http://www.japonrugby.net/le-xv-japonais-face-a-la-coree-du-sud-2015-2.php
Korea
1-Son Young Ki (POSCO) 2-Kim Jeep (KEPCO) 3-Shin Dongwon (KRU) 4-Kim Ho Bum (Kubota Spears) 5-Youn Kwon Woo (Yokogawa Musashino Atlastars) 6-Jang Seok Hwan (Sangmu) 7-(c) Kim Jeong Min (KEPCO) 8-Park Soon Chai (NTT-Docomo Red Hurricanes) 9-Shin Ki Chul (KRU) 10-Lee Eu Tteum (POSCO) 11-Kim Gwong Min (KEPCO) 12-Kim Nam Uk (KEPCO) 13-Jegal Bin (NTT Shining Arcs) 14-Park Han Gyul (KRU) 15-Jang Sung Min (Sangmu)
Remplaçants:
16-Na Kwan Young (Sangmu) 17-Kim Min Kyu (Sangmu) 18-Kim Kwangsik (Honda Heat) 19-Choi Kang San (Korea Univ.) 20-Hwan In Jo (KEPCO) 21-Lee Myung Jun (Sangmu) 22-Oh Youn Hyung (KEPCO) 23-Nam Young Soo (Sangmu)
http://www.japonrugby.net/le-xv-sud-coreen-face-au-japon-2015-2.php
02.05.2015
Japan 41, Hong Kong 0 in Tokyo (ARC Top 3)
Andorra 14, Latvia 5 in Riga (REC 2B)
Lithuania 26, Cyprus 20 in Paphos (REC 2B)
British Virgin Is v Curacao in New Town (NACRA Carib.Cup, Sth)-Result to come
02.05.2015
Venue: Tokyo
Referee: Norman Drake (UAE)
Preview
When you look at the opposition both sides has faced over the past year, Japan has a far more extensive world test programme than Hong Kong. Hong Kong has played two tests against Russia last November as they continually seek international opposition. But in terms of who you are facing on the international stage Japan is way above their Asian neighbour.
In recent encounters Hong Kong has always struggled in Tokyo and I can’t see Hong Kong getting near their hosts.
Other Previews
http://www.hkrugby.com/eng/news/4794.php
http://www.japonrugby.net/le-xv-japonais-face-a-hong-kong-2015.php (in French)
Last Five Encounters
25.05.2014 Japan 49-8 in Tokyo (WCQ Asia; Asia 5 Nations)
27.04.2013 Japan 38-0 in Hong Kong (WCQ Asia; Asia 5 Nations)
19.05.2012 Japan 67-0 in Tokyo (Asia 5 Nations)
30.04.2011 Japan 48-22 in Hong Kong (Asia 5 Nations)
22.05.2010 Japan 94-5 in Tokyo (WCQ Asia R2; Asia 5 Nations)
Hong Kong last defeated Japan in 1998, winning 17-16 in Tokyo in a Pacific Rim Championship test match. Hong Kong actually won four games against Japan in the period 1996-1998 during the Pacific Rim competition.
Japan Last Five P 5, W 4, L 1
18.04.2015 v Korea W 56-30 in Incheon (ARC Top 3)
23.11.2014 v Georgia L 24-35 in Tbilisi
15.11.2014 v Romania W 18-13 in Bucharest
21.06.2014 v Italy W 26-23 in Tokyo
14.06.2014 v USA W 37-29 in Halawa
Hong Kong Last Five P 5, W 1, L 4
25.04.2015 v Korea L 26-33 in Hong Kong (ARC Top 3)
15.11.2014 v Russia L 27-39 in Hong Kong (Ustinov Cup, 2nd test)
08.11.2014 v Russia L 10-31 in Hong Kong (Ustinov Cup, 1st test)
25.05.2014 v Japan L 8-49 in Tokyo (WCA Asia; Asia 5 Nations)
10.05.2014 v Korea W 39-6 in Hong Kong (WCA Asia; Asia 5 Nations)
GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table: Japan 13th, Hong Kong 23rd
Asia Table: Japan 1st, Hong Kong 3rd
World Rugby Ranking Points
Japan 74.70, Hong Kong 54.64
Prediction: Japan by 44 points.
TEAMS
Hong Kong
1 WEI Hon Sum Leon (Valley)
2 Alex HARRIS (Kowloon)
3 Jack PARFITT (HKS)
4 Adam BUTTERFIELD (HKFC)
5 Paul DWYER (HKCC)
6 Matthew LAMMING (HKCC)
7 Toby FENN (Valley)
8 Nicholas HEWSON (Valley)
9 LEE Ka To Cado (Kowloon)
10 Ben RIMENE (Valley)
11 Charlie HIGSON-SMITH (HKFC)
12 Max WOODWARD (Valley)
13 Jamie HOOD (HKFC)
14 Tom MCQUEEN (HKCC)
15 Alex MCQUEEN (HKCC)
Replacements
16 John AIKMAN (HKS)
17 Lachlan CHUBB (HKS)
18 Jack NIELSEN (HKCC)
19 Alex BADDELEY (Valley)
20 Damian BAILEY (HKCC)
21 Adam ROLSTON (Valley)
22 Jonny REES (HKFC)
23 Niall ROWARK (HKFC)
24 Jack DELAFORCE (HKCC)
Head Coach: Andy Hall
Adapted from http://www.hkrugby.com/eng/news/4794.php
Japan
1-Masataka Mikami (Toshiba Brave Lupus, 24 caps)
2-Takeshi Kizu (Kobelco Steelers, 31 caps)
3-Kensuke Hatakeyama, Capt. (Suntory Sungoliath, 61 caps)
4-Luke Thompson (Kintetsu Liners, 50 caps)
5-Shoji Ito (Kobelco Steelers, 29 caps)
6-Justin Ives (Canon Eagles, 24 caps)
7-Tsuyoshi Murata (NEC Green Rockets, un cap)
8-Ryu Koliniasi Holani (Panasonic Wild Knights, 36 caps)
9-Atsushi Hiwasa (Suntory Sungoliath, 39 caps)
10-Harumichi Tatekawa (Kubota Spears, 29 caps)
11-Akihito Yamada (Panasonic Wild Knights, 10 caps)
12-Yu Tamura (NEC Green Rockets, 27 caps)
13-Karne Hesketh (Munakata Sanix Blues, 3 caps)
14-Chihito Matsui (Doshisha Univ., un cap)
15-Ayumu Goromaru (Yamaha Jubilo, 44 caps)
Remplaçants:
16-Yusuke Nagae (Toyota Industries Shuttles, 17 caps)
17-Ryuhei Arita (Coca-Cola Red Sparks, 7 caps)
18-Shinnosuke Kakinaga (Suntory Sungoliath, un cap)
19-Kazuhiko Usami (Canon Eagles, un cap)
20-Hayden Hopgood ( ? , 4 caps)
21-Keisuke Uchida (Panasonic Wild Knights, 9 caps)
22-Toshiaki Hirose (Toshiba Brave Lupus, 24 caps)
23-Yoshikazu Fujita (Waseda Univ., 19 caps)
Head Coach: Eddie Jones
Adapted from http://www.japonrugby.net/le-xv-japonais-face-a-hong-kong-2015.php
25.04.2015
Korea 33, Hong Kong 26 in Hong Kong (ARC Top 3)
Chile 32, Brazil 3 in Santiago (CONSUR A)
Trinidad Tobago 30, Mexico 16 in Port of Spain (NACRA Carib. Champ. Final)
Briefly
Korea edged out home side Hong Kong after building a big lead at half time. The Koreans looked to be a very strong side and managed to hold off a big Hong Kong comeback in the second half.
Chile were too good in a disappointing display by the Brazilians whilst Trinidad Tobago gathered their second Caribbean Championship title when they defeated Mexico. The Mexicans can be proud of their achievement in making th final after being promoted just last season.
25.04.2015
Venue: Hong Kong Football Club Ground, Hong Kong
Referee: Paul McKay (Singapore)
Preview-Media Release
Hong Kong open Asia Rugby Championship with crucial match v Korea
[23 April 2015, HONG KONG]: Natixis Hong Kong Football Club winger Charlie Higson-Smith and Societe Generale Valley flanker Toby Fenn are set to make their international debut against South Korea on Saturday in the opening encounter for Hong Kong at the revamped Asia Rugby Championship.
The pair will come off the bench as Hong Kong look to start on a winning note in the inaugural Asia Rugby Championship which also includes seven-time Asian Five Nations champions Japan.
Asia’s premier annual rugby competition will see the top three – Japan, Hong Kong and South Korea – play a home-and-away round-robin format to decide bragging rights for the region. Previously the elite competition was contested amongst the top five teams, either home or away.
“The new format will be challenging,” said Hong Kong head coach Andy Hall who has stated he will have to rely on his larger squad of 34 players if Asia’s number two side is to push Japan for supremacy while warding off what is expected to be a tough challenge from the Koreans.
“In previous years we only had to face one-off matches against the likes of Japan and Korea. In those games we found ourselves more fatigued or taking more of a battering than in the other matches in the Top Five so it was a big change,” Hall said.
“We will need now to manage that physical toll better with the intensive home-and-away format. This will require more depth and we are going to need our full 34-man squad for this year’s series,” Hall added.
While the majority of the 23-man squad for the opening encounter, once again captained by No.8 Nick Hewson, has played in the regional competition previously, it will be the first opportunity for Higson-Smith and Fenn.
But they will have to wait for their chance to make a quick impression. Valley openside flanker Fenn will back up Hong Kong Cricket Club’s Matt Lamming while regular wingers Salom Yiu Kam-shing and Tom McQueen will keep Higson-Smith waiting to make his mark.
Experienced campaigner Hewson will lead a powerful set of forwards. The front row trio of John Aikman, Lachlan Chubb and James Cooper, and locks Paul Dwyer and Jack Delaforce will have to be on the ball against a feisty Korean tight five. Hewson will have Valley teammate Alex Baddeley on the blindside with Leighton Asia Hong Kong Cricket Club’s Lamming on the loose.
The halves combination will pair Abacus Kowloon half-back Cado Lee Ka-To at scrum-half with his club-mate Chris McAdam at flyhalf, with last season’s debutant Tyler Spitz and Max Woodward shoring up the midfield. The back three will be Yiu, Tom McQueen and elder brother Alex McQueen at fullback.
“Korea have a big, physical front row. Front rowers are big by definition but the Koreans are big even for front rowers and what is unique is that these guys are paramount to their attacking shape as well. They really look to get them involved so we are going to need to snuff that out,” said Hall.
Expecting a tough challenge up-front, Hong Kong has packed the bench with forwards, the split being five to three backs. Alex Harris, Leon Wei Hon-sum and Jack Nielsen will provide vital back-up to the front row with Bill Brant and Fenn giving cover for other positions.
Apart from winger Higson-Smith, Jamie Hood and Niall Rowark will be the other two backs and will feel at home on their home turf at Hong Kong Football Club.
While it will be the opening match for Hong Kong, their opponents South Korea arrive riding a wave of confidence after pushing Japan all the way in a 56-30 defeat at home last Saturday.
The Koreans will take a lot of heart from that spirited challenge when they led Japan 17-3 in the first quarter and trailed by only two points at the break. They continued to threaten the upset after being within a converted try of leveling the score late in the second half.
“Korea have some momentum after a solid performance against Japan. The Japanese may not have been at their peak as they were starting their season as well, but you don’t stick 30 points on a team inside or around the top 10 in world rugby without turning heads a bit,” said Hall.
Their attacking style will provide Hong Kong with a stern test, especially dangerous new fullback Jang Seong-min who grabbed a brace last week.
Hong Kong’s ability to handle that pressure will be key to their hopes of at least retaining their runners-up spot in Asia. “We are well aware that they are coming into the match with one game under their belt. Any rust they might have had had will have been knocked out by Japan and this gives them an advantage,” Hall said.
“The outcome of this game will be massive. I think both us and Korea know that the games versus Japan are going to be challenging and are targeting each other for two wins. If we can start well and capitalise on that rush of energy, chaos and intensity that are the first 20 minutes of a test match - we will be doing well.
“It is vital that we manage that and are in the game after 20 minutes and preferably in the lead,” concluded Hall.
Hong Kong will host South Korea on Saturday (25 April) at Hong Kong Football Club (kick-off at 16.00). Admission is free.
Hong Kong Squad versus South Korea (April 25):
1. John AIKMAN (HK Scottish), 2. Lachlan CHUBB (HK Scottish), 3. James COOPER (HKCC), 4. Paul DWYER (HKCC), 5. Jack DELAFORCE (HKCC), 6. Alex BADDELEY (Valley), 7. Matt LAMMING (HKCC), 8. Nick HEWSON – captain (Valley), 9. Cado LEE Ka To (Abacus Kowloon), 10. Chris MCADAM (Kowloon), 11. Salom YIU Kam Shing (Valley), 12. Tyler SPITZ (Borrelli Walsh USRC Tigers), 13. Max WOODWARD (Valley), 14. Tom McQUEEN (HKCC), 15. Alex McQUEEN (HKCC), 16. Alex HARRIS (Kowloon), 17. Leon WEI Hon Sum (Valley), 18. Jack NIELSEN (HKCC), 19. Bill BRANT (HKCC), 20. Toby FENN* 21. Jamie HOOD (HKFC), 22. Charlie HIGSON-SMITH* (HKFC), 23. Niall ROWARK (HKFC).
* Hong Kong debut
Sean Moore
Korea
1. Sung Ku (KRU), 2. Kim Jeep (Korea Armed Forces Athletic Corps, KAFAC), 3. Kim Kwang Sik (Honda), 4. Park Soon Chai (NTT), 5. Youn Kwon Woo (Yokogawa), 6. Kim Hyun Soo (KEPCO), 7. Jang Seok Hwan (KAFAC), 8. Hwang In Jo (KEPCO), 9. Lee Myung Jun (Sang Mu), 10 Oh Youn Hyung, 11. Chang Yong Heung (Yonsei Uni), 12. Kim Nam Uk (KEPCO), 13. Kim Sung Soo (KEPCO), 14. Jegal Bin (NTT Communications), 15. Jang Seong Min (Sang Mu), 16. Na Kwan Young (KAFAC), 17. Son Yung Ki (POSCO), 18. Shin Dongwon (KRU), 19. Kim Min Kyu, 20. Kim Jeong Min (captain, KEPCO), 21. Shin Ki Cheol (KRU), 22. Nam Young Soo (Sang Mu), 23. Kim Gwong Min (KEPCO).
https://www.facebook.com/pages/All-about-Rugby-in-Korea/235989379798283
Last Five Encounters
10.05.2014 Hong Kong 39-6 in Hong Kong (Asia 5 Nations)
18.05.2013 Korea 43-27 in Ansan (Asia 5 Nations)
05.05.2012 Korea 21-19 in Hong Kong (Asia 5 Nations)
24.04.2010 Hong Kong 32-8 in Hong Kong (WCQ Asia R2; Asia 5 Nations)
09.05.2009 Korea 36-34 in Seoul (Asia 5 Nations)
Asia Rugby Championship So Far
18.04.2015 Japan 56, Korea 30 in Incheon
GWC Rugby Rankings
Asia Table: Hong Kong 2nd, Korea 3rd
World Rugby Ranking Points
Korea 57.22, Hong Kong 55.79
Prediction: Hong Kong by 3 points. Score 23-20
25.04.2015
Korea v Hong Kong in Hong Kong (ARC Top 3)
Chile v Brazil in Santiago (CONSUR A)
Mexico v Trinidad Tobago in Port of Spain (NACRA Carib. Championship Final)
Briefly
The big clash between Asia’s No.2 and No.3 teams will be full of interest. The new round robin/home-away structure of the elite level of Asian rugby means every game counts.
Brazil travels to Santiago in another important CONSUR A clash. Last year Brazil upset Chile in Brazil but can they do the same away? Chile has not been playing of recent seasons and Brazil’s good showing against Uruguay last weekend could mean a repeat of last year’s result.
Mexico and Trinidad Tobago square off in the NACRA Caribbean final. Two new teams in this year’s final and as Mexico is just newly promoted to this level this final has more interest in it.
18.04.2015
Japan 56, Korea 30 in Incheon (ARC Top 3)
Lebanon 27, Iran 8 in Beruit (ARC Div.3, West)
Briefly
A comfortable win by Japan over a plucky Korea. Korea’s game against Hong Kong next weekend will be crucial.
I was surprised by the Lebanon-Iran score line. I was expecting a comfortable win by Iran.
18.04.2015
Venue: Namdong Rugby Ground, Incheon
Referee:
Preview
The new format of the Asia Rugby Championship gets underway in Korea Saturday. Asia’s top three teams play a home-away series to herald a new chapter in Asian rugby. Previously the competition included five teams but some serious blow out scores indicated a huge gap between Asia’s top 3 and the rest.
Japan has always dominated Korea in test rugby except for a brief period in the 1990’s and early 2000’s when Korea actually won the Asia top title.The difference between these two teams is the amount of top international test rugby they play. Since the 2014 Asia 5 Nations tournament Japan has played Samoa, Canada, USA, Italy, NZ Maoris (twice), Romania and Georgia. Korea has played nobody.
Last Five Encounters
17.05.2014 Japan 62-5 in Incheon (WCQ Asia; Asia 5 Nations)
04.05.2013 Japan 65-5 in Tokyo (WCQ Asia; Asia 5 Nations)
12.05.2012 Japan 52-8 in Seoul (Asia 5 Nations)
01.05.2010 Japan 71-13 in Daegu (WCQ Asia R2; Asia 5 Nations)
16.05.2009 Japan 80-9 in Osaka (Asia 5 Nations)
In 2004 Korea drew 19-19 with Japan in Tokyo as part of an Asia Tournament. Korea last defeated Japan in 2002 when they won 45-34 in the gold medal game at the Asia Games held in Korea.
GWC Rugby Rankings
Asia Table: Japan 1st, Korea 3rd
World Rugby Ranking Points
Japan 74.70, Korea 57.22
Prediction: Japan by 56 points. Score 64-8
TEAMS
Japan
1-Masataka Mikami (Toshiba Brave Lupus, 23 caps) 2-Takeshi Kizu (Kobelco Steelers, 30 caps) 3-(c) Kensuke Hatakeyama (Suntory Sungoliath, 60 caps) 4-Luke Thompson (Kintetsu Liners, 49 caps) 5-Shoji Ito (Kobelco Steelers, 28 caps) 6-Justin Ives (Canon Eagles, 23 caps) 7-Hayden Hopgood ( ? , 3 caps) 8-Ryu Koliniasi Holani (Panasonic Wild Knights, 35 caps) 9-Atsushi Hiwasa (Suntory Sungoliath, 38 caps) 10-Harumichi Tatekawa (Kubota Spears, 28 caps) 11-Yoshikazu Fujita (Waseda Univ., 18 caps) 12-Yu Tamura (NEC Green Rockets, 26 caps) 13-Karne Hesketh (Munakata Sanix Blues, 2 caps) 14-Chihito Matsui (Doshisha Univ., 0 cap) 15-Ayumu Goromaru (Yamaha Jubilo, 43 caps)
Replacements
16-Hisateru Hirashima (Kobelco Steelers, 35 caps) 17-Hiroki Yuhara (Toshiba Brave Lupus, 18 caps) 18-Hiroshi Yamashita (Kobelco Steelers, 37 caps) 19-Kazuhiko Usami (Canon Eagles, 0 cap) 20-Tsuyoshi Murata (NEC Green Rockets, 0 cap) 21-Keisuke Uchida (Panasonic Wild Knights, 8 caps) 22-Ryohei Yamanaka (Kobelco Steelers, un cap) 23-Toshiaki Hirose (Toshiba Brave Lupus, 23 caps)
http://www.japonrugby.net/le-xv-japonais-face-a-la-coree-du-sud-2015.php
Korea
1-Sungku Park (Unaffiliated) 2-Kim Jeep (KEPCO) 3-Kwangsik Kim (Honda Heat) 4-Kim Ho Bum (Sangmu) 5-Youn Kwon Woo (Yokogawa Musashino Atlastars) 6-Kim Hyun Soo (KEPCO) 7-Jang Seok Hwan (Sangmu) 8-Han Kun Kyu (KEPCO) 9-Lee Myung Jun (Sangmu) 10-Oh Youn Hyung (KEPCO) 11-Kim Gwong Min (KEPCO) 12-Kim Nam Uk (KEPCO) 13-(c) Kim Sung Soo (KEPCO) 14-Jegal Bin (NTT Shining Arcs) 15-Jang Sung Min (Sangmu)
Replacements
16-Na Kwan Young (Sangmu) 17-Son Young Ki (POSCO) 18-Shin Dongwon (Unaffiliated) 19-Hwan In Jo (KEPCO) 20-Lee Yong Seung (Hino Red Dolphins) 21-Shin Ki Chul (KRU) 22-Lee Eu Tteum (POSCO) 23-Park Han Gyul (KRU)
Adapted from http://www.japonrugby.net/le-xv-sud-coreen-face-au-japon-2015.php
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.
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