2015 Rugby World Cup – Asia qualification

In the Asian Region for 2015 Rugby World Cup qualifying, Japan took the sole qualification spot, Asia 1 by winning Round 3: 2014 Asian Five Nations, while second placed Hong Kong qualified for the repechage playoff.

The qualification process included the top four levels of the Asian Five Nations tournaments, beginning in 2012.

Format

Asia provided one direct qualifier for the 2015 Rugby World Cup (Asia 1), and one repechage play-off position. The Asian qualification process used the Asian Five Nations, using the top three divisions in the second tier of Asian teams, and the top tier competition Asian Five Nations.

The 2012 Asian Five Nations Divisions 1 through Division 3 were the first stage of qualifying. The winners of Divisions 2 and 3, Thailand and India, faced each other for the right to be promoted to Division 1 in 2013, Thailand winning. The last place team in Division 1, Singapore, was relegated to Division 2. As only teams in the top tier Asian Five Nations and Division 1 in 2013 could qualify for the top tier in 2014, all the remaining teams were therefore eliminated.

The second phase included the top tier of the 2013 Asian Five Nations, as well as Division 1. The winner of Division 1, Sri Lanka, earned promotion to the top tier for 2014, which served as the qualification final. United Arab Emirates finished in last place in the top tier, thus earning them relegation and elimination from the qualification process.

The final phase was the top tier of the 2014 Asian Five Nations. Japan won, thus qualifying for Pool B of the 2015 Rugby World Cup, along with Samoa, Scotland, South Africa, and USA. Hong Kong finished in second place to qualify for the repechage playoff against Uruguay.

Entrants

The 2015 Rugby World Cup qualifying teams that competed for the 2015 Rugby World Cup – Asia qualification. (World rankings, shown in brackets, are those immediately prior to first Asia qualification match on 30 May 2012)

• China (62)
• Chinese Taipei (58)
• Guam (88)
• Hong Kong (28)
• India (77)
• Indonesia (NR)
• Iran (NR)
• Japan (14)
• Kazakhstan (36)
• Malaysia (63)
• Pakistan (73)
• Philippines (55)
• Singapore (67)
• South Korea (26)
• Sri Lanka (46)
• Thailand (65)
• United Arab Emirates (NR)

Qualified nations

• Japan

2012

2012 Asian Five Nations Division 3

The winner, India, advanced to the Division 2/3 playoff match against Thailand for the right to compete in 2013 Asian Five Nations Division 1.

	Semi-finals				Final
	May 30, 2012
	Guam	38
	Indonesia	17
					June 1, 2012
					Guam	16
					India	18
					Third place play-off
	May 30, 2012			June 1, 2012
	India	34		Indonesia	13
	Pakistan	5			Pakistan	7

Matches

30 May 2012 14:30 WIB (UTC+07) Guam 38–17 Indonesia Match stats Haji Agus Salim Stadium, Padang, Indonesia Referee: Nik Ramadhan (Malaysia) 30 May 2012 16:30 WIB (UTC+07) India 34–5 Pakistan Match stats Haji Agus Salim Stadium, Padang, Indonesia Referee: Kim Yong Hoe (Korea) 1 June 2012 14:30 WIB (UTC+07) Indonesia 13–7 Pakistan Match stats Haji Agus Salim Stadium, Padang, Indonesia Referee: Thawatchai Somwang (Thailand) 1 June 2012 16:30 WIB (UTC+07) Guam 16–18 India Match stats Haji Agus Salim Stadium, Padang, Indonesia Referee: Raimee Mansur (Malaysia)

2012 Asian Five Nations Division 2

The winners, Thailand, advanced to the Division 2/3 playoff match against India for the right to compete in 2013 Asian Five Nations Division 1.

	Semi-finals				Final
	May 31, 2012
	Thailand	37
	Iran	17
					June 2, 2012
					Thailand	22
					Malaysia	19
					Third place play-off
	May 31, 2012			June 2, 2012
	Malaysia	89		Iran	52
	China	0			China	3

Matches

31 May 2012 14:30 MST (UTC+08) Thailand 37–17 Iran Match stats Royal Selangor Club, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Referee: Aaron Littlewood (Singapore) 31 May 2012 16:30 MST (UTC+08) Malaysia 89–0 China Match stats Royal Selangor Club, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Referee: Nicholas Long (Hong Kong) 2 June 2012 14:30 MST (UTC+08) China 3–52 Iran Match stats Royal Selangor Club, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Referee: Nik Ramadhan (Malaysia) 2 June 2012 16:30 MST (UTC+08) Malaysia 19–22 Thailand Match stats Royal Selangor Club, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Referee: Nicholas Long (Hong Kong)

Division 2/3 Promotion

Thailand defeated India for promotion to the 2013 Asian Five Nations Division 1 and to remain in contention for Rugby World Cup qualifying. Thailand therefore advanced in and India was eliminated from the Rugby World Cup Qualification process.

14 July 2012 16:00 TST (UTC+07)

Thailand	42–19	India
	Match stats

Thephasadin Stadium, Thephasadin Stadium Referee: Takashi Harada (Japan)

2012 Asian Five Nations Division 1

The top three teams remained in 2015 Rugby World Cup qualifying, with Philippines advancing to the 2013 Asian Five Nations, and Sri Lanka and Chinese Taipei advancing to the 2013 Asian Five Nations Division 1. The last placed team, Singapore, was eliminated from 2015 Rugby World Cup qualifying.

All the games were played in Manila, Philippines at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Advances to Round 2

Position	Nation	Games				Points			Bonus points	Total points
		Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	For	Against	Difference
1	Philippines	3	3	0	0	99	50	+49	3	18
2	Sri Lanka	3	2	0	1	89	46	+43	2	12
3	Chinese Taipei	3	1	0	2	69	101	-32	1	6
4	Singapore	3	0	0	3	61	121	-60	1	1
Points were awarded to the teams as follows: Win - 5 points Draw - 3 points 4 or more tries - 1 point Loss within 7 points - 1 point Loss greater than 7 points - 0 points

Matches

15 April 2012 17:00 PST (UTC+08) (1 BP) Sri Lanka 36–8 Chinese Taipei Match stats Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, Philippines Referee: Warren Needham (Hong Kong) 15 April 2012 19:00 PST (UTC+08) Singapore 20–37 Philippines (1 BP) Match stats Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, Philippines Referee: Dharmapalage Nimal (Sri Lanka) 18 April 2012 17:00 PST (UTC+08) (1 BP) Sri Lanka 35–10 Singapore Match stats Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, Philippines Referee: Dewi Rowlands (Hong Kong) 18 April 2012 19:00 PST (UTC+08) (1 BP) Philippines 34–12 Chinese Taipei Match stats Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, Philippines Referee: Paul Mackay (Singapore) 21 April 2012 17:00 PST (UTC+08) Sri Lanka 18–28 Philippines (1 BP) Match stats Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, Philippines Referee: Taizo Hirabayashi (Japan) 21 April 2012 19:00 PST (UTC+08) (1 BP) Singapore 31–49 Chinese Taipei (1 BP) Match stats Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, Philippines Referee: Kyosuke Toda (Japan)

2013

2013 Asian Five Nations Division 1

The tournament was played in Sri Lanka from 31 March to 6 April 2013. The winner of this division and this stage of qualification, Sri Lanka, earned promotion to the main division for 2014, which will be the final stage of Asian Rugby World Cup qualifying. The remaining three teams were eliminated from World Cup qualifying.

Advances to Round 3

Position	Nation	Games				Points			Bonus points	Total points
		Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	For	Against	Difference
1	Sri Lanka	3	3	0	0	133	33	+100	3	18
2	Kazakhstan	3	1	0	2	70	92	-22	1	6
3	Chinese Taipei	3	1	0	2	70	104	–34	1	6
4	Thailand	3	1	0	2	63	107	–44	0	5
Points were awarded to the teams as follows: Win - 5 points Draw - 3 points 4 or more tries - 1 point Loss within 7 points - 1 point Loss greater than 7 points - 0 points

Matches

31 March 2013 14:00 SLST (UTC+05) Kazakhstan 10–33 Thailand Match stats Havelock Sports Club, Sri Lanka Referee: Warren Needham (Hong Kong) 31 Match 2013 16:00 SLST (UTC+05) (1 BP) Sri Lanka 39–8 Chinese Taipei Match stats Havelock Sports Club, Sri Lanka Referee: Nicholas Long (Hong Kong) 3 April 2013 14:00 SLST (UTC+05) (1 BP) Kazakhstan 42–10 Chinese Taipei Match stats Havelock Sports Club, Sri Lanka Referee: Nicholas Long (Hong Kong) 3 April 2013 16:00 SLST (UTC+05) (1 BP) Sri Lanka 45–7 Thailand Match stats Havelock Sports Club, Sri Lanka Referee: Warren Needham (Hong Kong) 6 April 2013 14:00 SLST (UTC+05) (1 BP) Chinese Taipei 52–23 Thailand Match stats Havelock Sports Club, Sri Lanka Referee: Dewi Rowlands (Hong Kong) 6 April 2013 16:00 SLST (UTC+05) (1 BP) Sri Lanka 49–18 Kazakhstan Match stats Havelock Sports Club, Sri Lanka Referee: Taku Otsuki (Japan)

2013 Asian Five Nations

Main article: 2013 Asian Five Nations

The top four teams advanced to the final stage of Rugby World Cup qualifying, while the last placed team, United Arab Emirates, was relegated to Division 1 and eliminated from qualifying for the Rugby World Cup.

Advances to Round 3

Position	Nation	Games				Points			Bonus points	Total points
		Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	For	Against	Difference
1	Japan	4	4	0	0	316	8	+308	4	24
2	South Korea	4	3	0	1	185	115	+70	3	18
3	Hong Kong	4	2	0	2	134	108	+26	2	12
4	Philippines	4	1	0	3	63	250	–187	1	6
5	United Arab Emirates	4	0	0	4	28	245	–217	0	0
Points were awarded to the teams as follows: Win - 5 points Draw - 3 points 4 or more tries - 1 point Loss within 7 points - 1 point Loss greater than 7 points - 0 points

Matches

20 April 2013 14:00 JST (UTC+09) (1 BP) Japan 121–0 Philippines Match stats Level-5 Stadium, Fukuoka Referee: Dewi Rowlands (Hong Kong) 20 April 2013 16:00 KHT (UTC+08) (1 BP) Hong Kong 53–7 United Arab Emirates Match stats Hong Kong Football Club Stadium, Hong Kong Referee: Taizo Hirabayashi (Japan) 26 April 2013 17:00 UAET (UTC+04) United Arab Emirates 10–75 South Korea (1 BP) Match stats Al Ain RFC, Al Ain Referee: Tobi Lothian (Hong Kong) 27 April 2013 16:00 KHT (UTC+08) Hong Kong 0–38 Japan (1 BP) Match stats Hong Kong Football Club Stadium, Hong Kong Referee: Aaron Littlewood (Singapore) 4 May 2013 14:00 JST (UTC+09) (1 BP) Japan 64–5 South Korea Match stats Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, Tokyo Referee: Tobi Lothian (Hong Kong) 4 May 2013 19:00 PST (UTC+08) Philippines 20–59 Hong Kong (1 BP) Match stats Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila Referee: Taku Otsuki (Japan) 10 May 2013 20:00 UAET (UTC+04) United Arab Emirates 3–93 Japan (1 BP) Match stats Sevens, Dubai Referee: Dewi Rowlands (Hong Kong) 11 May 2013 12:00 KST (UTC+09) (1 BP) South Korea 62–19 Philippines Match stats Ansan Wa~ Stadium, Ansan Referee: Taku Otsuki (Japan) 18 May 2013 12:00 KST (UTC+09) (1 BP) South Korea 43–22 Hong Kong Match stats Ansan Wa~ Stadium, Ansan Referee: Taizo Hirabayashi (Japan) 18 May 2013 19:00 (1 BP) Philippines 24–8 United Arab Emirates Match stats Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila Referee: Taku Otsuki (Japan)

2014 Asian Five Nations

Main article: 2014 Asian Five Nations

The winner the 2014 Asian Five Nations tournament, Japan, qualified for the 2015 Rugby World Cup as Asia 1 in Pool B. The runner-up in the tournament, Hong Kong, advanced to the repechage playoffs to play Uruguay.

Qualified for 2015 Rugby World Cup

Qualified for Repechage

Position	Nation	Games				Points			Bonus points	Total points
		Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	For	Against	Difference
1	Japan	4	4	0	0	342	33	+309	4	24
2	Hong Kong	4	3	0	1	196	65	+131	3	18
3	South Korea	4	2	0	2	122	126	-4	2	12
4	Philippines	4	1	0	3	58	284	–226	1	6
5	Sri Lanka	4	0	0	4	48	258	–210	1	1
Points were awarded to the teams as follows: Win - 5 points Draw - 3 points 4 or more tries - 1 point Loss within 7 points - 1 point Loss greater than 7 points - 0 points

Matches

26 April 2014 12:00 KST (UTC+09) (1 BP) South Korea 59–3 Sri Lanka Match stats Incheon Munhak Stadium, Incheon Referee: Taku Otsuki (Japan) 26 April 2014 18:00 HKT (UTC+08) (1 BP) Hong Kong 108–0 Philippines Match stats Hong Kong Football Club Stadium, Hong Kong Referee: Shuhei Kubo (Japan) 3 May 2014 15:30 PST (UTC+08) Philippines 10–99 Japan (1 BP) Match stats Eagles Nest Stadium, Laguna Referee: Dewi Rowlands (Hong Kong) 3 May 2014 18:30 SLT (UTC+05:30) Sri Lanka 10–41 Hong Kong (1 BP) Match stats Colombo Racecourse, Colombo Referee: Azhar Mohammad Bin Yus (Singapore) 10 May 2014 18:00 JST (UTC+09) (1 BP) Japan 132–10 Sri Lanka Match stats Mizuho Rugby Stadium, Nagoya Referee: Aaron Littlewood (Singapore) 10 May 2014 18:00 HKT (UTC+08) (1 BP) Hong Kong 39–6 South Korea Match stats Hong Kong Football Club Stadium, Hong Kong Referee: Taku Otsuki (Japan) 17 May 2014 12:00 KST (UTC+09) South Korea 5–62 Japan (1 BP) Match stats Incheon Munhak Stadium, Incheon Referee: Tobi Lothian (Hong Kong) 17 May 2014 18:30 SLT (UTC+05:30) (1 BP) Sri Lanka 25–26 Philippines (1 BP) Match stats Colombo Racecourse, Colombo Referee: Shuhei Kubo (Japan) 24 May 2014 15:30 PST (UTC+08) Philippines 22–52 South Korea (1 BP) Match stats Eagles Nest Stadium, Laguna Referee: Taizo Hirabayashi (Japan) 25 May 2014 17:00 JST (UTC+09) (1 BP) Japan 49–8 Hong Kong Match stats National Olympic Stadium, Tokyo Referee: Azhar Mohammad Bin Yus (Singapore)

External links

• Rugby World Cup qualification
• Asian Five Nations