The 2024 Asia Rugby Championship is the eighth annual rugby union series for the top-level Asia Rugby nations. Hong Kong, South Korea, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates shall compete in the 2024 series. Other Asian nations played in the lower division tournaments.[1]
| Date | 1 June – 22 June |
|---|---|
| Countries |  Hong Kong Malaysia South Korea United Arab Emirates |
| Final positions | |
| Champions | Hong Kong |
| Relegated | Malaysia |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Matches played | 6 |
| Tries scored | 57 (9.5 per match) |
| Top scorer(s) | Paul Altier (54) |
| Most tries | Paul Altier (4) |
| Website | www |
← 2023 2025 → | |
The format of the series is a single round-robin where the four teams play each other once. The team finishing on top of the standings at the end of the series is declared the winner. The team finishing at the bottom of the standing are relegated to the 2025 Asia Rugby Division 1.[2] The competition will begin on 1 June 2024 and will conclude on 22 June 2024.[3][4]
Hong Kong entered the competition as reigning champions, having won the competition for the fourth time in 2023. The United Arab Emirates were promoted from the 2023 Asia Rugby Division 1.[5]
Teams
editThe teams involved,
| Team | Stadia | Coach | Captain | World Rugby Ranking[6] | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home stadium | Capacity | Location | Start | End | |||
| Hong Kong
|
Hong Kong Football Club Stadium | 2,750 | Hong Kong |  Andrew Douglas
|
Joshua Hrstich[7] | 24th | 24th |
| South Korea
|
Incheon Namdong Asiad Rugby Field | 4,968 | Incheon | Lee Myung Geun
|
Lee Jin Kyu | 30th | 33rd |
| Malaysia
|
UPM Stadium[8] | 3,000 | Serdang | Farid Syazwan Abu Bakar
|
Mohamad Nasharuddin Isamil | 50th | 56th |
| United Arab Emirates
|
The Sevens Stadium | 15,000 | Dubai |  Jacques Benade
|
Matthew Mills | 60th | 52nd |
Squads
edit| Malaysia squad | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | Caps | Club |
| Azam Fakhrullah Bin Abd Razak | Loosehead Prop | Terengganu
| |
| Muhammad Abrar Bin Zanuddin | |||
| Amirul Mukminin Bin Amizan | Hooker | New Perlis
| |
| Nabil Ikhwan | Putrajaya
| ||
| Mohd Nurazman Ramli | PDRM
| ||
| Mohammad Azri Mohd Kamal Rosnan | Tighthead Prop | MSS Kelantan
| |
| Amierul Harith | Putrajaya
| ||
| Aiman Hakeem | Johor
| ||
| Harith El Iskander Shah Mohd Shukri | Lock | Putrajaya
| |
| Suhalkal Suhaimi | NS Wanderers RC
| ||
| Muhammad Sameer Muhammad Sani Surinder | Terengganu
| ||
| Mohad Shobrey Bin Amok | Sabah
| ||
| Mohamad Syahmi Afiq Bin Edan | PDRM
| ||
| Syarif Nurhidayat Muzhaimey | Flanker | Putrajaya
| |
| Samuel Rentap Meran | Terengganu
| ||
| Shah Izwan | MSS Kelantan
| ||
| Amin Jamaluddin | Number 8 | New Perlis
| |
| Amirul Aiman Ihsan Abas | Sabah
| ||
| Razali Ramlan | Scrumhalf | Putrajaya
| |
| Mohamad Nasharuddin Isamil | Terengganu
| ||
| Lee James Chapman | Flyhalf | PDRM
| |
| Mohd Fairuz Ab Rahman | Sabah
| ||
| Nareen Fitri | Terengganu
| ||
| Muhammad Zharif Affandi Mohamed Zahib | Center | Terengganu
| |
| Hakim Abu Hassan | Putrajaya
| ||
| Zulkiflee Bin Azmi | PDRM
| ||
| Kamal Hamidi | Malaysia Sevens
| ||
| Azwan Zuwairi | PDRM
| ||
| Mohd Daim Bin Zainudin | Outside Back | New Perlis
| |
| Adam Ariff | MSS Kelantan
| ||
| Ahmad Zulhilmi Azizad | Johor
| ||
| Harith lqbal | Terengganu
| ||
| Harry Preston |  Leicester Lions RFC
| ||
| Anwarul Hafiz Bin Ahmad | PDRM
| ||
| South Korean Squad[9] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | Caps | Club |
| Yang Keun Seob | Loosehead Prop | 0 | Hyundai Glovis
|
| Shin Ji Min | 0 | OK Financial Group Okman
| |
| Kim Tae Woo | 0 | Korea Armed Forces Athletic Corps
| |
| Choi Ho Young | Hooker | 4 | Korea Armed Forces Athletic Corps
|
| Lee Seung Eun | 0 | Hyundai Glovis
| |
| Park Gun Woo | 0 | OK Financial Group Okman
| |
| Park Ye Chan | Tighthead Prop | 3 | Hyundai Glovis
|
| Won Jung Ho | 2 | Hyundai Glovis
| |
| Seo Tae Pung | 0 | Korea Armed Forces Athletic Corps
| |
| Kim Sang Jin | Lock | 5 | OK Financial Group Okman
|
| Park Joon Beom | 2 | Hyundai Glovis
| |
| Lee Hyeon Je | 0 | Hyundai Glovis
| |
| Seo Jong Soo | 0 | Korea Armed Forces Athletic Corps
| |
| Yoo Jae Hoon | Back row | 9 | OK Financial Group Okman
|
| Kim Yo Han | 4 | Hyundai Glovis
| |
| Hwang Jeong Wook | 1 | Hyundai Glovis
| |
| Kim Chan Ju | 0 | Hyundai Glovis
| |
| Yoo Gi Jung | 0 | OK Financial Group Okman
| |
| Heo Jae Jun | Scrumhalf | 0 | Hyundai Glovis
|
| Kang Min Jun | 0 | OK Financial Group Okman
| |
| Jung Bu Hyon | Flyhalf | 1 | Hyundai Glovis
|
| Ko Seung Jae | 0 | OK Financial Group Okman
| |
| Mun Jeong Ho | Center | 6 | Hyundai Glovis
|
| Lee Jin Kyu | 0 | Hyundai Glovis
| |
| Lee Yong Un | 0 | OK Financial Group Okman
| |
| Jeong Yeon Sik | Outside Back | 15 | Hyundai Glovis
|
| Shin Min Su | 1 | Hyundai Glovis
| |
| Kim Chan Deul | 0 | OK Financial Group Okman
| |
| Baek Jong Eun | 1 | Hyundai Glovis
| |
| United Arab Emirates Squad[10] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | Caps | Club |
| Lukas Waddington | Prop | 4 | Dubai Exiles RFC
|
| Pieter Killian | 2 | Dubai Exiles RFC
| |
| Riaan Barnard | 2 | Barrelhouse RC
| |
| Sunia Laladidi | 0 | Abu Dhabi Harlequins
| |
| Moeneeb Galant | Hooker | 2 | Dubai Exiles RFC
|
| David Gairn | 2 | Dubai Exiles RFC
| |
| Esekaia Dranibota | Lock | 2 | Dubai Tigers RFC
|
| Jonathan Harris | 2 | Jebel Ali Dragons
| |
| Jaen Botes | Back row | 10 | Dubai Exiles RFC
|
| Matthew Mills (c) | 4 | Dubai Exiles RFC
| |
| Epeli Davetawalu | 2 | Dubai Exiles RFC
| |
| Marcus Guerin | 0 | Dubai Tigers RFC
| |
| Ian Surtees | 0 | Jebel Ali Dragons
| |
| Chris McKee | 0 | Abu Dhabi Harlequins
| |
| Carel Thomas | Scrumhalf | 2 | Dubai Exiles RFC
|
| Andrew Semple | 0 | Abu Dhabi Harlequins
| |
| Jamie Gavin | Flyhalf | 0 | Jebel Ali Dragons
|
| Handre Snetler | 0 | Dubai Exiles RFC
| |
| Sakiusa Naisau | Center | 4 | Dubai Tigers RFC
|
| Rory Arthur | 0 | Dubai Exiles RFC
| |
| Liam Caldwell | Outside Back | 0 | Dubai Tigers RFC
|
| Justin Walsh | 0 | Dubai Exiles RFC
| |
| Emosi Vecenaua | 0 | Dubai Tigers RFC
| |
| Matt Richards | 0 | Jebel Ali Dragons
| |
| Connor Kennedy | 0 | Dubai Exiles RFC
| |
Preparation
editHong Kong China
editHong Kong China spent the 22–28 April in Canberra at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in preparation for the 2024 Asia Rugby Championship and to help create a professional environment for the group. They ended the tour with a match against the ACT Brumbies Runners as a curtain raiser for the 2024 Super Rugby matchup between ACT Brumbies and Hurricanes at Canberra Stadium in Canberra.[11]
| 27 April 2024 11:55 AEST (UTC+10) |
ACT Brumbies Runners  | 65–0 | Hong Kong China XV |
| Report |
| GIO Stadium, Canberra |
Malaysia
editMalaysia played a practice match against local side Tueto Wear Selection Team, and played a cross border friendly match against Singapore on 11 May.[14][15][16] The game was uncapped.[17]
Standings
edit| 2024 Asia Rugby Championship Champions |
| Relegation to 2025 Asia Rugby Division 1 |
| Pos. | Team | Matches | Points | Bonus
points |
Total
points | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Played | Won | Lost | Drawn | For | Against | Diff. | ||||
| 1 | Hong Kong
|
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 189 | 18 | +171 | 3 | 15 |
| 3 | United Arab Emirates
|
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 103 | 103 | 0 | 2 | 10 |
| 2 | South Korea
|
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 94 | 108 | -14 | 3 | 7 |
| 4 | Malaysia
|
3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 30 | 187 | -157 | 0 | 0 |
| Points were awarded to the teams as follows:
Win — 4 points Draw — 2 points 4 or more tries — 1 point Loss within 7 points — 1 point Loss greater than 7 points — 0 points | ||||||||||
Fixtures
editWeek 1
edit| 1 June 2024 15:30 HKT (UTC+8) |
| Hong Kong | 52 – 5 | United Arab Emirates |
| Try: McCormick-Houston 16' c, Laidler 19' c 24' m, Hill 34' c 45' c, Altier 48' c, Post 75' c, Higson Smith 78' m Con: Hill 18' 20' 35' 46' 50' 77' (6/8) Cards: McCormick-Houston  51' to 61' | Report | Try: Vecenaua 6' m |
| Hong Kong Football Club Stadium, Hong Kong China Attendance: 1,000 Referee:  Katsuki Furuse |
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 June 2024 14:00 KST (UTC+9) |
| South Korea | 55 – 5 | Malaysia |
| Try: Jin Kyu 7' m 71' c, Hyeon Je 14 c, Jeong Wook 24' c 30' m 39' c, Yong Un 26' c, Chan Ju 45', Yeon Sik 66' m Con: Seung Jae 15' 25' 27' 40' 72' (5/9) | Report | Try: Amok 49' m |
| Incheon Namdong Asiad Rugby Field, South Korea Attendance: 1,000 Referee: Jaco De Wit |
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Week 2
edit| 8 June 2024 14:00 MST (UTC+8) |
| Malaysia | 6 – 70 | Hong Kong |
| Pen: Chapman 10' 56' Cards: Amizan 17' to 27' | Report | Try: Post 7' c, Penalty try 17', Altier 20' c 33' c, McNutt 21' c, Hrstich 36' c 57' c, Penesa 44' c, Scott 67' c, Pincott 69' c Con: Altier 8' 19' 22' 35' 36' 46' 59' (7/7), Avitabile 68' 70' (2/2) Cards: Sullivan 29' to 39' |
| UPM Stadium, Serdang Attendance: 1,000 Referee:  Justin Wang |
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 9 June 2024 19:30 GST (UTC+04) |
| United Arab Emirates | 36 – 32 | South Korea |
| Try: Semple 10' c, Gelant 45' m, Gavin 50' m, Davetawalu 64' c Con: Gavin 11' 65' (2/4) Pen: Gavin 3' 34' 60' Drop: Gavin 69' | Report | Try: Young Un 7' c, Jong Eun 18' m, Jin Kyu 28' m, Jeong Ho 36' c, Chan Deul 55' m Con: Seung Jae 8' 37' (2/5) Pen: Seung Jae 5' |
| The Sevens Stadium, Dubai Attendance: 500 Referee: Matthew Rodden |
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Week 3
edit| 21 June 2024 19:30 GST (UTC+04) |
| United Arab Emirates | 62 – 19 | Malaysia |
| Try: Oakeley 2' m 26' c, Barnard 8' c, McKee 13' c, Vecenaua 33' c 50' m, Naisau 40' c 80' m, Walsh 76' c Con: Gavin 9' 15' 27' 34' 40' 77' (6/9) Cards: Caldwell 16' to 26' | Report | Try: Muzhaimey 17' c, Isamil 22' m, Preston 46' c Con: Chapman 18' 47' (2/3) Cards: Amizan 40' to 50' |
| The Sevens Stadium, Dubai Attendance: 1,000 Referee: Morgan White |
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 22 June 2024 16:30 HKT (UTC+8) |
| Hong Kong | 67 – 7 | South Korea |
| Try: Hill 3' c, van der Smit 23' c 66' c 69' c, Altier 29' c, Sayers 40' c, Avitabile 48' m, Hrstich 55' c, McNutt 79' c Con: Altier 4' 24' 31' 40' 56' 67' 70' (7/8), McNeish 80' (1/1) Pen: Altier 11' 15' Cards: Avitabile 53' to 63' | Report | Try: Penalty Try 53' |
| Hong Kong Football Club Stadium, Hong Kong China Attendance: 1,000 Referee: Takehito Namikawa |
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Statistics
edit
Most pointsedit
|
Most triesedit
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
References
edit- ^ rugbyasia247 (2024-03-24). "Guide To The Asia Rugby 2024 International Tournaments". RugbyAsia247. Retrieved 2024-04-08.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Hinato (2024-02-23). "Asia Rugby: Le calendrier 2024 connu!". Asierugby (in French). Retrieved 2024-04-08.
- ^ Rugby, Asia (2024-02-23). "Asia Rugby Unveils 2024 Competitions Calendar". Asia Rugby. Retrieved 2024-04-08.
- ^ "Asia Rugby Calendar 2024 - Competitions". Asia Rugby. Retrieved 2024-04-08.
- ^ Ishak, Fadhli (2024-01-03). "ARC top flight expanded, UAE get the nod | New Straits Times". NST Online. Retrieved 2024-04-08.
- ^ worldrugby.org. "Women's and Men's Rankings | World Rugby". www.world.rugby. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
- ^ Rugby, Hong Kong China (2024-04-26). "Hong Kong China Men's XV Team Confirmed Ahead…". Hong Kong China Rugby. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
- ^ Ishak, Fadhli (2024-04-24). "Malaysia-Hong Kong rugby clash to be played at UPM Stadium | New Straits Times". NST Online. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
- ^ Hinato (2024-05-14). "Le groupe sud-coréen pour l'Asia Rugby Championship 2024". Asierugby (in French). Retrieved 2024-05-21.
- ^ Hinato (2024-05-21). "Le groupe émirati pour le déplacement à Hong Kong". Asierugby (in French). Retrieved 2024-05-21.
- ^ Rugby, Hong Kong China (2024-04-29). "Hong Kong China Rugby Announces 29-Man Squad…". Hong Kong China Rugby. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
- ^ "ACT Brumbies Runners Team List: Game 4 v Hong Kong China". brumbies.rugby. 2024-04-25. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
- ^ Rugby, Hong Kong China (2024-04-29). "Hong Kong China Men's XV Brumbies Tour…". Hong Kong China Rugby. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
- ^ Hinato (2024-03-29). "Le retour 5 ans après de Singapour avec son équipe nationale de rugby à XV". Asierugby (in French). Retrieved 2024-04-29.
- ^ Hinato (2024-04-05). "Singapour, Taïwan et la Thaïlande vont participer au Tri Union Series 2024". Asierugby (in French). Retrieved 2024-04-29.
- ^ "Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
- ^ Zamri, Adam (2024-05-09). "Test match or friendly? Uncertainties loom over Malaysia v S'pore rugby clash". Scoop. Retrieved 2024-05-11.