The 2022 Asia Rugby Championship was the sixth tri-nations series of rugby union matches for the top-level Asia Rugby nations. Due to impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the series was cancelled in both 2020 [1] and 2021.[2]

2022 Asia Rugby Championship
Date4 June – 9 July 2022
Countries Hong Kong
 Malaysia
 South Korea
Final positions
Champions Hong Kong (3rd title)
Websitewww.asiarugby.com
2019
2023

The teams competing were Hong Kong, South Korea and Malaysia. Hong Kong were the defending champions, having won in 2019. The format of the tri-nations series was a double round-robin where the three teams play each other twice on a home and away basis. The team finishing on top of the standings at the end of the series was declared the winner.

This competition works as an Asian qualifier for the 2023 Rugby World Cup. The winner of the competition plays with Tonga to determine the participant for the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Division 3 Central 1 was played from 3 to 6 July in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The losers of the matches on 3 July advance to the 3rd place match and the winners to the final on 6 July.[3][4][5] The Asia Rugby Championship Division 3 West will be played in Tehran, Iran from 29 September to 3 October. Iran, Lebanon and Qatar are expected to participate. Originally, it was planned to take place from 9 to 14 May.[6]

Teams

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The teams involved, with their world rankings prior to the tournament in brackets:[7]

Nation Home stadium City
  Hong Kong (21) Hong Kong Football Club Stadium Hong Kong
  South Korea (30) Incheon Namdong Asiad Rugby Field Incheon
  Malaysia (49) National Stadium Kuala Lumpur

Fixtures

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For the details of the matches, refer to 2023 Rugby World Cup – Asia qualification.

Play-off

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Final

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Divisional Tournaments

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2022 ARC division tournaments
Date29 May 2022 – 10 February 2023
Countries11
Tournament statistics
ChampionsDivision 2

  Pakistan
Division 3 Central
  Kazakhstan
Division 3 South
  India
Division 3 West

  Qatar
Matches played10
Attendance3,600 (360 per match)
2019 (Previous) (Next) 2023

The 2022 Asia Rugby Championship division tournaments refers to the divisions played within the annual international rugby union tournament for the Asian region.

Teams

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The following teams were announced as playing the 2022 tournaments:

Pre-tournament world rankings in parentheses[8]

Division 1

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[Notes 1]

Division 2

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Division 3 Central

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Division 3 South

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Division 3 West

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Division 3 South & East

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[Notes 2]

Notes:

  1. ^ Asia Rugby Championship Division 1 2022 was originally postponed to December, before being cancelled entirely.[9]
  2. ^ The Division 3 South and East was set to be hosted by Mongolia however cancelled in June 2022 with Mongolia going on to join Division 3 Central

Division 2

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2023 Asia Rugby Division 2
Tournament details
Host  Pakistan
VenuePunjab Stadium, Lahore
Date29 May – 1 June 2022
Countries2
Final positions
Champions  Pakistan
Tournament statistics
Matches played2
Attendance600 (300 per match)
Top scorer(s)  Thanapong Punpang
(20 points)
Most tries  Omair Khan
(2 tries)

The 2022 edition of the Division 2 Tournament was held from 29 May – 1 June 2022 in Lahore, Pakistan.

Pos Nation Games Points Bonus
points
Total
points
Played Won Drawn Lost For Against Difference
1   Pakistan 2 1 0 1 39 38 1 2 6
2   Thailand 2 1 0 1 38 39 -1 1 5

Matches

29 May 2022
19:30
Pakistan  15–20  Thailand
Try: Bhatti 26', Shahid 65'
Con: Khan 27' (1/2)
Pen: Siddique 37' (1/1)
Cards: Haroon   7'   32',
Safdar   30' to 40'
ReportTry: Punpang 33', Janda 42'
Con: Raphawee 74' (1/1), Legrand 83' (1/1)
Pen: Legrand 8' 24' (2/2)
Punjab Stadium, Lahore
Attendance: 300
1 June 2022
19:30
Pakistan  24–18  Thailand
Try: Shahzad 50' c, A. Khan 55' m 64' c, Ahmed 75' m
Con: O. Khan 51' 65' (2/4)
Cards: Siddique   80' to 90'
ReportPen: Punpang 14' 22' 25' 66' 70', Legrand 48'
Cards: Punpang   40' to 50'
Punjab Stadium, Lahore
Attendance: 300

Division 3 Central

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2022 Asia Rugby Division 3 Central
Tournament details
Host  Kyrgyzstan
VenueDolen Omurzakov Stadium
Date3 – 6 July 2022
Countries4
Final positions
Champions  Kazakhstan
Runner-up  Uzbekistan
Third place  Mongolia
Tournament statistics
Matches played4
Tries scored47 (11.75 per match)
Attendance400 (100 per match)
Top scorer(s)  Abdrakhman Nashibayev
  Magamedrasul Magomedov
(25 points)
Most tries  Abdrakhman Nashibayev
  Magamedrasul Magomedov
(5 tries)

The Division 3 Central Tournament was held from 3–6 July at Dolen Omurzakov Stadium in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, they were originally set to host the competition in 2020 however due to the COVID-19 pandemic it was delayed.[10] The tournament was played by Uzbekistan, Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. Kazakstan winning the tournament.[11]

Mongolia were originally set to host the 2022 Division 3 South East & East, however with the cancellation of the tournament they joined Division 3 Central replacing Afghanistan.[12][13]

 
Semi-finalsFinal
 
      
 
3 July 2022
 
 
  Uzbekistan17
 
6 July 2022
 
  Mongolia10
 
  Kazakhstan32
 
3 July 2022
 
  Uzbekistan24
 
  Kyrgyzstan5
 
 
  Kazakhstan115
 
Third place play-off
 
 
6 July 2022
 
 
  Kyrgyzstan7
 
 
  Mongolia69

Semi Finals

3 July 2022
17:00
Uzbekistan  17–10  Mongolia
Try: Khaydarov 20' m 49' c, Karimov 28' m
Con: Boev 50' (1/3)
ReportTry: Purenyam 9' m, Nergui 43' m
Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek
Attendance: 100
3 July 2022
19:00
Kyrgyzstan  5–115  Kazakhstan
Try: Torobek Uulu 49' mReportTry: Niyazov 4' m 51' m 55' c 76' c, Maxim 6' c 9' c 27' c, Timoshin 16' c, Magomedov 19' c 36' 42' m 60' c, Akymbekov 23' m 31' c, Nashibayev 34' m, Scherbakov 65' m, Mussiyatchenko 68' m 80' m, Bolatkhan 75' c
Con: Abdrakov 7' 10' 17' 20' 28' 32' 37', Nashibayev 56' 61', Mussiyatchenko 77'
Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek
Attendance: 100
Referee:   Palak Poddar

3rd/4th place Play off

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6 July 2022
17:00
Kyrgyzstan  7–69  Mongolia
Try: Tashmamatov 75' c
Con: Tashmamatov 76' (1/1)
Cards: Kotlyarov   39' to 49'
ReportTry: Battsagaan 6' m, Ganbold 13' c, J. Enkhbat 18' m, Bazarsuren 27' m 40' c, G. Enkhbat 49' c, Nyamdorj 53' c, Batdorj 58' c, Purenyam 63' c, Nergui 72' m, Oidovdorj 80' c
Con: Enkhbat 14' 40' 50' 54' 59' 64' 80' (7/11)
Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek
Attendance: 100

Final

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6 July 2022
19:00
Uzbekistan  24–32  Kazakhstan
Try: Sobirov 25' c 80' c, Mukhametdinov 47' m, Soibanazarov 71' m
Con: Boev 26' 80' (2/4)
ReportTry: Magomedov 3' c, Mussiyatchenko 8' m, Akymbekov 15' c 62' m, Nashibayev 29' m
Con: Abdrakov 4' 16' (2/5)
Pen: Abdrakov 35' (1/1)
Cards: Abdrakov   46' to 56'
Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek
Attendance: 100

Division 3 South

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2023 Asia Rugby Division 3 South
Tournament details
Host  India
VenueRabindra Sarobar Stadium, Kolkata
Date19–25 November 2022
Countries3
Final positions
Champions  India
Runner-up  Bangladesh
Third place    Nepal
Tournament statistics
Matches played3
Tries scored37 (12.33 per match)
Attendance2,500 (833 per match)
Top scorer(s)  Gaurav Kumar
(25 points)
Most tries  Gaurav Kumar
(5 tries)

The 2022 edition of the Division 3 South Tournament was held from 19–25 November 2022 at the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium, India.[14] India were champions not conceding a single point across the tournament.[15]

Pos Nation Games Points Total
points
Played Won Drawn Lost For Against Difference
1   India 2 2 0 0 168 0 168 8
2   Bangladesh 2 1 0 1 43 94 -51 4
3     Nepal 2 0 0 2 12 129 -117 0
19 November 2022
14:30
India  86–0    Nepal
Try: G. Kumar 2' m 26' c 33' m 80' m, Khatri 11' m 40' c 55' c 57' c, Balmiki 17' m, Saha 39' c, S. Singh 47' c, N. Dagar 64' m, Shukla 70' c, J. Kumar 76' c
Con: Saha 27' 39' 40' 48' 56' 58' 71' 77' (8/14)
ReportCards: Rana  , Lamichhane  
Rabindra Sarobar Stadium, Kolkata
Attendance: 1,000
22 November 2022
14:30
Nepal    12–43  Bangladesh
Try: N. Karki 75' m 76' c
Con: Shrestha 79' (1/2)
ReportTry: Akteruzzaman 23' c 70' m, Biwswas 32' c 80' m, Mahmud 37' c 60' m, Rahman 43' c
Con: Mahmud 24' 33' 38' 44' (4/7)
Cards: Rahaman  
Rabindra Sarobar Stadium, Kolkata
Attendance: 500
25 November 2022
14:15
India  82–0  Bangladesh
Try: S. Singh 5' m 34' m 73' c, Dagar 11' m, Tanwar 17' m 58' c, Shukla 21' c, Nigade 37' c 40' m, Prasad 53' c, Kumar 59' c, Hembrom 64' m, H. Singh 66' m 77' c
Con: Balmiki 22' 39' 60', Saha 54', Zosangzuala 74' 78'
ReportCards: Hasan  , Shahiduzzaman  
Rabindra Sarobar Stadium, Kolkata
Attendance: 1,000

Division 3 West

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2022 Asia Rugby Division 3 West
Tournament details
Host  United Arab Emirates
VenueAl Ain Rugby Club
Date10 February 2023
Countries2
Final positions
Champions  Qatar
Runner-up  Iran
Tournament statistics
Matches played1
Tries scored8 (8 per match)
Attendance100 (100 per match)
Top scorer(s)  Wade Lotter
(15 points)
Most tries  Wade Lotter
(3 tries)
Player of the tournament  Wade Lotter

The 2022 edition of the Division 3 West Tournament was held on 10 February 2023 in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.[16] With Qatar winning the competition with 12-40 win over Iran.[17][18]

Originally due to have taken place May 9 to May 14. Qatar, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran and Oman where all interested in featuring. Lebanon and Iran both were front runners to host but due to progress made by Iran over the last 6 years they were awarded the position of hosts.[19][20]

In April 2022 the competition was postponed until the September and was set to be between Iran, Iraq, Lebanon and Syria.[21][22]

By September the competition was once again postponed this time to October 2022. Iraq, Lebanon and Syria all dropped out with Qatar coming back in. Qatar and Iran were to play two tests on October 8 and 11 in Tehran.[23]

Due to protests from the Iranian team in solidarity with the unrest in the country the competition was once again delayed to February 2023 and reduced to a single test match to be played in the UAE.[24][25]

Pos Nation Games Points Bonus
points
Total
points
Played Won Drawn Lost For Against Difference
1   Qatar 1 1 0 0 40 12 28 0 4
2   Iran 1 0 0 1 12 40 -28 0 0
10 February 2023
19:00
Iran  12–40  Qatar
Try: Yaghoti 76' c 80' c
Con: Najafi 77' (1/2)
Cards: Farsian   15' to 25'
ReportTry: Lotter 17' c 55' m 69' m, Rakabu 34' m, Bardo 38' c 59' m
Con: Tremayne 18' 39' (2/6)
Pen: Tremayne 7' 26' (2/2)
Cards: Pietersen   21' to 31'
Al Ain, UAE
Attendance: 100
Referee:   Jaco De Wit [26]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Asia Rugby puts player welfare first, postpones tournaments schedule until end of June 2020". 29 February 2020. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  2. ^ "Your Guide to the Asia Rugby 2021 Competitions". Rugby Asia 24/7. 10 September 2021. Archived from the original on 3 October 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  3. ^ "Asia Rugby Men Div 3 Central". www.macoocoo.com. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  4. ^ "Mark your Calendars". Facebook. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  5. ^ "Wrestling with the future of rugby in Mongolia". Rugby World. 22 June 2022. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
  6. ^ "Iran to host first-ever International Rugby Tournament". Tehran Times. 11 March 2022. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
  7. ^ "World Rugby Rankings | World Rugby". Archived from the original on 4 June 2020. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  8. ^ worldrugby.org. "Men's Rankings | World Rugby". www.world.rugby. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  9. ^ "L'Asia Rugby Championship Division 1 2022 est reporté en décembre". 16 May 2022.
  10. ^ Hinato (24 March 2022). "Le Kirghizistan et ses ambitions montantes". Asierugby (in French). Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  11. ^ "Asia Rugby Men's Division 3 Central 2022". Asia Rugby. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  12. ^ "The Afghan rugby union selection will see the light of day". www.asierugby.com. 10 February 2021. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  13. ^ Hinato (22 June 2022). "La Mongolie est reversée en Asia Rugby Championship Division 3 Central". Asierugby (in French). Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  14. ^ rugbyasia247 (16 November 2022). "Asia Rugby Division 3 South 2022 Set for Kolkata". RugbyAsia247. Retrieved 16 April 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  15. ^ "Asia Rugby Men's Championship Division 3 South 2022". Asia Rugby. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  16. ^ "Asia Rugby Men's Championship Division 3 West 2022 Played in 2023". Asia Rugby. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  17. ^ Hinato (10 February 2023). "Le Qatar remporte l'Asia Rugby Championship Division 3 West 2022". Asierugby (in French). Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  18. ^ Rugby, Asia (11 February 2023). "Qatar Rugby Crowned Champions of Asia Rugby Division 3 West". Asia Rugby. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  19. ^ Hinato (10 March 2022). "L'Iran accueillera l'Asia Rugby Championship Division 3 West 2022". Asierugby (in French). Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  20. ^ "Iran to host first-ever International Rugby Tournament". Tehran Times. 11 March 2022. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  21. ^ Hinato (12 June 2022). "Le groupe iranien pour le camp d'entraînement de Zanjan". Asierugby (in French). Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  22. ^ Hinato (28 April 2022). "L'Asia Rugby Championship Division 3 West 2022 est reporté en septembre". Asierugby (in French). Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  23. ^ Hinato (11 September 2022). "L'Asia Rugby Championship Division 3 West 2022 se jouera juste entre l'Iran et le Qatar". Asierugby (in French). Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  24. ^ "Esteki dall'Italia alla nazionale di rugby dell'Iran: "La protesta per i diritti va sostenuta"". www.ilgazzettino.it (in Italian). 30 November 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  25. ^ Rugby, Asia (30 September 2022). "Asia Rugby Postpones Division 3 West Championship -". Asia Rugby. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  26. ^ "Asia Rugby Appoints Match Officials for Division 3 West". 9 February 2023.
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