The results of the penultimate round of the Asia Five Nations on the weekend sets the scene for an interesting final round next weekend. But first, how did last weekend’s games pan out?
Japan travelled to Incheon to take on the improving South Korea team.
Even at home, the Koreans were no match for Eddie Jones’ side as Japan scored its 27-straight bonus-point win in the tournament. They scored nine tries to one to win the match 62-5.
Winger Akihito Yamada scored four of the tries and fullback Ayumu Goromaru became Japan’s highest point scorer with 426 from 36 matches.
The other game between Sri Lanka and the Philippines in Colombo was an intriguing affair.
The first half saw a flurry of scoring with the lead changing hands four times and had the Philippines ahead 19-17 at the break. In the second term, the Tuskers added a try and a penalty goal to lead 25-19 as full time drew near.
In the final play, the Philippines got possession and took the ball 95 metres to score under the posts and trail by a point. The conversion from in front was missed, but the referee ordered a re-kick because of an early charge. The second kick was successful to allow the Volcanoes to win 26-25 after scoring four tries to three.
Several things will be decided in next week’s final round.
Japan and Hong Kong are both undefeated and will meet in Tokyo. They will meet in the national stadium with the winner taking the Asian Championship and Asia’s place in the Rugby World Cup. The loser will go through to the Rugby World Cup repechages.
Incidentally, this will be the last game of any sport at the stadium as it will be demolished and a new stadium built for the Rugby World Cup 2019. In the other game, the Philippines will play at home at Laguna against South Korea. Both teams have had one win and two losses. The winner will remain in the reformed championship next year. The loser will join Sri Lanka in relegation to the revamped first division.
The final match in the European match 2C division was played in Paphos between Cyprus and Hungary.
Although Hungary were running second in the division behind Cyprus, they were no match for the home side. Cyprus extended its 29-6 halftime lead to take the match 46-13, remaining undefeated in the division. They will be promoted to the 2B division next year at the expense of Serbia, who drop to the 2C group.
What makes Cyprus’ win more interesting is that it is the team’s 23rd successive victory, a run that started in 2008 and must be one of any sport’s longest winning spells.
Over in Uruguay, the opening round of the CONSUR Cup took place. Argentina sent out an experimental team but the Teros were no match for the Puma players trying to get the selectors’ nod. Scoring eight tries to nil, Argentina romped home, 65-9, in a lopsided game. What Argentina will do to Paraguay is anyone’s guess.
Further north, the NACRA Championship continued. In the North Championship League, playing in Georgetown, Guyana was too strong for the visiting Barbados side, winning 48-19.
In the lesser South Zone Cup League, British Virgin Islands hosted St Vincent and Grenadines. It was an even tussle but at full time, SVG prevailed to beat BVI, 24-22.
In the north zone, the North Zone Cup League matches were concluded. In Nassau, the visiting Mexico team was too strong for Bahamas. Mexico won 33-18 and showed their improvement, next year they could be in the major division. In the other game, in Kingston, Jamaica held on long enough to score a 10-6 victory over Turk and Caicos Islands.
In news from the International Rugby Board, Uzbekistan has been granted full membership and becomes the 121st nation admitted. They became an associate member in 2004 and have taken 10 years to meet the IRB’s criteria. Costa Rica has been made an associate member of the IRB and one hopes it will not take 10 years before they are accepted as a full member.
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