What Is 2015 Asia Rugby Sevens Series

Overview

The 2015 Asia Rugby Sevens Series was the seventh edition of the premier men’s rugby sevens competition in Asia, organized by Asia Rugby to promote elite-level competition and development across the region. The series featured three high-intensity tournament legs held over two months, drawing national teams aiming to boost rankings and earn qualification points for global events.

Hosted in South Korea, China, and the Philippines, the series attracted 12 teams representing countries from across East, Southeast, and South Asia. Performance across the legs was aggregated into a cumulative points table, with Hong Kong emerging as champions after consistent top finishes, including tournament wins in Suwon and Manila.

• Hong Kong won the series with a total of 74 points, securing first place in two of the three legs and demonstrating superior consistency and depth.
• The first leg took place in Suwon, South Korea, on September 19–20, 2015, where Hong Kong defeated Japan 26–14 in the final.
• The second leg was hosted in Chengdu, China, on October 10–11, 2015, with Japan reversing the result by defeating Hong Kong 24–19.
• The final leg occurred in Manila, Philippines, on October 24–25, 2015, where Hong Kong clinched the series title with a 26–12 victory over Sri Lanka in the cup final.
• Each leg awarded series points based on final standings, with 20 points for first place, 16 for second, and descending to 1 point for 12th.

How It Works

The Asia Rugby Sevens Series operates as a cumulative points-based competition, where teams earn points based on performance across multiple tournament legs. These points determine the overall series champion and also influence qualification for higher-tier global events such as the World Rugby Sevens Series and Olympic qualification pathways.

• Series Format: The competition consists of multiple legs hosted in different Asian countries, with teams accumulating points based on final standings in each leg to determine the overall champion.
• Scoring System: Teams earn points based on final placement, with 20 points for winning a leg, 16 for second, 13 for third, and so on down to 1 point for 12th place.
• Team Eligibility: National teams from Asia Rugby member unions are eligible to participate, with core teams and invited nations competing across divisions based on performance tiers.
• Tournament Structure: Each leg features a pool stage followed by knockout rounds, including cup, bracket, and consolation matches to determine final rankings and points allocation.
• Global Qualification: Strong performances in the series contribute to World Rugby rankings and can influence qualification for the World Rugby Sevens Series or the Rugby World Cup Sevens.
• Development Focus: The series aims to develop rugby in emerging nations by providing regular high-level competition and exposure to international standards.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the three legs of the 2015 Asia Rugby Sevens Series, highlighting locations, dates, winners, and point allocations:

The table illustrates how Hong Kong’s victories in two legs, combined with a strong second-place finish in Chengdu, secured them the overall title despite Japan’s win in China. The close points gap between Hong Kong (74) and Japan (68) underscores the competitive balance in the region during the 2015 season.

Why It Matters

The 2015 Asia Rugby Sevens Series played a crucial role in advancing rugby across Asia, providing a structured competitive platform ahead of the sport’s return to the Olympics in 2016. It highlighted the rising competitiveness of teams like Hong Kong and Japan, both of which used the series as preparation for global tournaments.

• Hong Kong’s dominance in the series reinforced its status as Asia’s top rugby sevens nation, building momentum for future World Rugby events.
• The series contributed to Japan’s Olympic qualification campaign, offering vital match experience ahead of Rio 2016.
• Hosting legs in the Philippines and South Korea expanded rugby’s footprint in non-traditional markets, boosting local interest and investment.
• Teams like Sri Lanka and the Philippines used the competition to close the performance gap with regional powerhouses through consistent exposure.
• The event served as a development pipeline for emerging players, many of whom later joined core World Rugby Sevens circuits.
• Asia Rugby strengthened its organizational credibility by delivering a logistically successful, multi-nation series with professional standards.

Overall, the 2015 series was a milestone in Asian rugby, combining sport development with strategic global qualification goals, and setting a benchmark for future regional competitions.