Japan looking good for WSWS return

Japan topped what most thought the toughest pool in the World Series qualifier in Hong Kong, but other teams had good days as well. Unlike recent rounds of the main series, the first day of qualifier was a great day for Europe with all three teams making the quarters, an impressive performance given that for Italy and Belgium this was their first experience at this level.

And it was Italy who opened the day with a huge shock, beating Dubai quarter-finalists South Africa 15-5. The Netherlands followed them with an impressive 21-19 win over China – who had always been something of a bogey side in their World Series days. The Belgium ended round one with a 26-0 win over South America’s number two team, Argentina.

However, in many ways this tournament is a barometer of the strength of rugby in various parts of the world, and even if Europe is not firing on all cylinders in the World Series what the continent certainly has is depth of talent. Here was the continent's 7th, 8thand 9thbest teams (behind the five European WSWS teams – England, France, Ireland, Russia and Spain – plus Wales) having a great day, while in contrast South America’s second and third best teams struggled, recording only one win in their six games.

Colombia were well beaten by Papua New Guinea and South Africa, but did at least cross the line against Italy. Argentina followed their loss to Belgium with a good win over hosts Hong Kong, but then fell to Kenya in a straight knock-out game for a quarter-final place.

That win for Kenya meant that both African teams play on into day two, after South Africa recovered from their slow start to blow other opposition away. Despite their Italian shock, the ‘boks are far from finished.

Less happy were the hosts, Hong Kong who left their best for last when then beat a strong Belgian side, but by then it was too late and the quarter-finals were missed. Coach Anna Richards said: "I'm really proud of the girls, it's been a hard day. We've had some big ups and downs, especially how we lost that first game against Kenya. It's great to play in an official World Rugby tournament, however. It's pressure but you can only get better from this. We're enjoying the vibe - it's a great place to play here and we're so close to the stadium and tomorrow is going to be even better."

So three teams from Europe, two from Asia, two from Africa, and one from Oceania will play-off for the golden ticket to World Series glory tomorrow. In an unusually cruel competition, there is no Plate, no Bowl and no Challenge trophy. Lose and you go straight home – as Jamaica, Argentina, Colombia and Hong Kong have already discovered.

The quarter-final draw has thrown up some real crackers too – with not only China playing Japan in a fixture that is so often totally unpredictable, but also the Netherlands are playing Belgium. Italy take on Kenya in a game that really hard to call, but the day opens with South Africa taking on Papua New Guinea.

Pool A:China 19 - 21 Netherlands; Japan 54 - 0 Jamaica; China 68 - 0 Jamaica; Japan 22 - 5 Netherlands; Netherlands 22 - 7 Jamaica; Japan 21 - 14 China

Pool B:Kenya 24 - 21 Hong Kong; Argentina 0 - 26 Belgium; Kenya 5 - 7 Belgium; Argentina 17 - 7 Hong Kong; Hong Kong 15 - 10 Belgium; Argentina 7 - 17 Kenya

Pool C:Colombia 0 - 19 Papua New Guinea; South Africa 5 - 15 Italy; Colombia 5 - 17 Italy; South Africa 24 - 7 Papua New Guinea; South Africa 33 - 0 Colombia; Papua New Guinea 12 - 5 Italy