Loading ...Asian Rugby Sevens Series – Borneo Sevens 2009
October 31st to November 1st, Likas Stadium – It was truly an epic weekend for the titans of Asian rugby as the players from all corners of Asia converged into the stadium for this momentous sports event. The Malaysian Rugby Union was the host for the Borneo Sevens and to receive such support from the international sports organizations to hold this spectacular event in Sabah was overwhelming indeed for the locals.
The top 12 teams that participated were Japan (1st seed), Hong Kong (2), China (3), Chinese Taipei (4), Korea (5), Malaysia (6), Thailand (7), Guam (8), India (9), Philippines (10), Brunei (11) and Indonesia (12).
All of the participating nations were grouped into three pools(four in each pool) which begins with a round robin pool before the knockout matches commenced.
The main aspirations of the Asian Rugby Sevens Series is to implement a sevens-specific ranking of Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU) nations. Future ARFU tournaments and various sports events shall use this ranking as it is also a relevant aspect in recognizing these Asian teams for IRB World Sevens Series events.
Japan clinched the Asian Rugby Seven Series event at Likas Stadium, Sabah by beating Hong Kong 38-14. They maintained a formidable game record, posting 187 points and only conceding 26 throughout their participation in this event. Korea claimed the Bronze medal after defeating the weary Malaysian team 31-7.
The Borneo Sevens is the third event in the Asian Rugby Seven Series, and it is the second of two ranking events of the whole series. Japan’s win in the Borneo Sevens means that they have a lead at the top of the series standing, closely followed by Korea and Hong Kong.
The most interesting match up of the event was between the sevens of Guam and Thailand. For the former, this was their first time playing in the Asian Rugby Sevens Series. In their match against Thailand, the latter was the favourite team as well as the most experienced between the two in the Asian Rugby Seven Series, but they held their ground and triumphed against the Thais 24-7, finishing seventh place.
The Asian Rugby Sevens Series concluded the event in Borneo for this year with Japan winning the top spot, but the series still has two more events to go: Kish Island Sevens in Iran on 20 and 22 November, and Sri Lanka Sevens on 28 and 29 November of this year.
massy
I can’t help but to laugh at the epic photos above ;)