What Is 2019 Asia Rugby Sevens Series

Overview

The 2019 Asia Rugby Sevens Series was the premier regional competition for men's rugby sevens in Asia, organized by Asia Rugby to promote the sport and identify top-tier national teams. Held across three cities, the series functioned as both a continental championship and a stepping stone toward global tournaments like the World Rugby Sevens Series and the Olympics.

With fast-paced gameplay and high stakes, the 2019 edition saw dominant performances from traditional powerhouses like Japan and Hong Kong, while emerging teams such as the Philippines and Sri Lanka pushed for higher finishes. The competition format emphasized consistency across multiple legs, rewarding teams that maintained peak performance throughout the season.

• First leg in Incheon, South Korea: Held on October 12–13, 2019, at Incheon Asiad Rugby Field, this leg kicked off the series with all 12 teams competing in a round-robin and knockout format.
• Second leg in Hangzhou, China: Took place on November 9–10, 2019, at the Hangzhou Asian Games Rugby Field, drawing strong regional interest ahead of the 2022 Asian Games.
• Third and final leg in Colombo, Sri Lanka: Played on December 14–15, 2019, at the Colombo Racecourse Grounds, concluding the series with tight standings between top teams.
• Participating nations: Included Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea, China, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Kazakhstan, Iran, and India, showcasing broad regional engagement.
• Tournament structure: Each leg used a 12-team, 2-day format with pool play followed by placement playoffs, awarding series points based on final standings.

How It Works

The Asia Rugby Sevens Series operates on a cumulative points system across multiple legs, where national teams earn points based on their finishing position at each event. This structure rewards consistency and depth, as teams must perform well across different conditions and opponents to win the overall title.

• Series Points System:20 points awarded to the winner of each leg, decreasing to 8 points for 8th place, with lower placements receiving fewer points down to 1 for 12th.
• Player Eligibility: Teams must field players eligible under World Rugby Regulation 8, ensuring national representation with no foreign imports allowed.
• Match Duration: Each match consists of two 7-minute halves, with a 1-minute halftime, adhering to official World Rugby Sevens rules.
• Refereeing Standards: Matches are officiated by Asia Rugby-certified referees, many of whom also work in international sevens events.
• Qualification Pathway: The series serves as a regional qualifier for the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series, which can lead to core team status on the World Tour.
• Women’s Series Parallel: A separate 2019 Women’s Asia Rugby Sevens Series ran concurrently, with Hong Kong winning the women’s title.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the top teams performed across the three legs of the 2019 series:

The table highlights Japan’s consistency and Hong Kong’s strong finish. While Japan dominated the first two legs, Hong Kong’s victory in Colombo made the final standings competitive. Ultimately, Japan secured the series title by a narrow 4-point margin, underscoring the high level of regional competition.

Why It Matters

The 2019 Asia Rugby Sevens Series played a critical role in developing rugby across Asia, offering competitive experience and visibility for emerging nations. Its structure and outcomes have lasting implications for international qualification and regional investment in the sport.

• Pathway to Global Competition: Top teams like Japan used strong performances to qualify for the 2020 World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series, aiming for promotion to the World Tour.
• Olympic Preparation: The series served as vital preparation for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, helping teams refine tactics and squad depth.
• Development for Emerging Nations: Countries like Malaysia and the Philippines gained exposure to high-level sevens, boosting domestic interest and funding.
• Women’s Rugby Growth: The concurrent women’s series helped advance gender equity and inspired youth participation across the region.
• Hosting Experience: Nations like Sri Lanka and South Korea gained valuable event management experience, improving bid capabilities for future international events.
• Commercial Visibility: Broadcast partnerships and digital streaming increased the series’ reach, attracting regional sponsors and investors.

With its blend of elite competition and developmental impact, the 2019 Asia Rugby Sevens Series reinforced rugby’s growing footprint in Asia and set benchmarks for future editions.