Asian 7s series kicks off in Thailand

Based on their rankings in the Asian Women’s 7s 2012, Asia’s top four seeds - China, Japan, Kazakhstan and Hong Kong will head the four pools.

Thailand, Singapore, Chinese Taipei and the Philippines ranked 5th to 8th were then drawn randomly along with Sri Lanka (9th), Korea (13th) and the unranked, Laos and Guam, both of whom did not participate in the 2012 instalment.

The balance of power in the top three countries in women’s Asian 7s has not changed much since 2011 with China, Japan and Kazakhstan dominating proceedings. China and Japan also have had the privilege of being involved in the China leg of inaugural IRB Women’s Sevens World Series last year. But participation in the recent Women’s Rugby World Cup Asian Qualifiers and different strategies by home unions with respect to balancing their 7s and 15s representative sides may prove crucial to the status quo on the weekend.

As qualification for the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2014 was a priority for Japan and Kazakhstan, both countries included their sevens players in their fifteens squad for the Asian Qualifiers held in Almaty just a fortnight ago. A closely contested final with just two points separating the two ended in heartbreak for the feisty Japanese side and elation for Kazakhstan who will be on the plane to Paris next summer as Asia’s sole qualifier for the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2014. It remains to be seen if the physical and mental toll of the fifteens campaign will affect their players this weekend.

Hong Kong however, has made what may be a defining move to break into the top three women’s sevens nations by sending their top tier sevens players to the women’s 7s event at China National Games in Liaoning, which they qualified for in June, instead of Almaty where their fifteens squad lost by two points to Singapore for the first time in the third and fourth playoff.  Hong Kong will surely be looking to make an impact this weekend having risked their place in the Asian 4 Nations.

China, like Hong Kong, should be well-conditioned after the provincial level tournament but the scandal involving the match throwing by the Beijing team which marred the China National Games may have some ramifications for their team.  Reports in the media state that China Rugby Association has banned the seven on field Beijing players from international matches for this year. These include several national representatives, the most notable of which is, Liu Yan, a Chinese team stalwart and a prolific try scorer. If true, the composition of China’s team will be markedly different from their past few outings.

Below the top four, Sri Lanka with their rangy runners and the Philippine Lady Volcanoes have been steadily moving up the ranks and may pose a challenge to Thailand, Singapore and Chinese Taipei who have been occupying the mid-tier for  the last two years. Laos last competed in the sevens event in 2011 and whilst Guam has not participated in the Asian events for some time.

All of which adds to the touch of the unknown. An interesting start for the Asian women’s 7s 2013 series for sure!

Report By :Shao (ARFU)

* The Asian Women's Sevens Series is a two-leg event. The second tournament will be played in Pune, India, in November.