2022 Asia Rugby Championship

2022 Asia Rugby Championship

Date	4 June – 9 July 2022
Countries	Hong Kong  Malaysia  South Korea
Final positions
Champions	Hong Kong (3rd title)
Website	www.asiarugby.com
← 2019 2023 →

The 2022 Asia Rugby Championship was the sixth tri-nations series of rugby union matches for the top-level Asia Rugby nations. Due to impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the series was cancelled in both 2020 ^[1] and 2021.^[2]

The teams competing were Hong Kong, South Korea and Malaysia. Hong Kong were the defending champions, having won in 2019. The format of the tri-nations series was a double round-robin where the three teams play each other twice on a home and away basis. The team finishing on top of the standings at the end of the series was declared the winner.

This competition works as an Asian qualifier for the 2023 Rugby World Cup. The winner of the competition plays with Tonga to determine the participant for the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Division 3 Central 1 was played from 3 to 6 July in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The losers of the matches on 3 July advance to the 3rd place match and the winners to the final on 6 July.^[3][4][5] The Asia Rugby Championship Division 3 West will be played in Tehran, Iran from 29 September to 3 October. Iran, Lebanon and Qatar are expected to participate. Originally, it was planned to take place from 9 to 14 May.^[6]

Teams

The teams involved, with their world rankings prior to the tournament in brackets:^[7]

Nation	Home stadium	City
Hong Kong (21)	Hong Kong Football Club Stadium	Hong Kong
South Korea (30)	Incheon Namdong Asiad Rugby Field	Incheon
Malaysia (49)	National Stadium	Kuala Lumpur

Fixtures

For the details of the matches, refer to 2023 Rugby World Cup – Asia qualification.

Play-off

Final

Divisional Tournaments

2022 ARC division tournaments
Date	29 May 2022 – 10 February 2023
Countries	11
Tournament statistics
Champions	Division 2  Pakistan Division 3 Central  Kazakhstan Division 3 South  India Division 3 West  Qatar
Matches played	10
Attendance	3,600 (360 per match)
← 2019 (Previous) (Next) 2023 →

The 2022 Asia Rugby Championship division tournaments refers to the divisions played within the annual international rugby union tournament for the Asian region.

Teams

The following teams were announced as playing the 2022 tournaments:

Pre-tournament world rankings in parentheses^[8]

Division 2

2023 Asia Rugby Division 2

Tournament details
Host	Pakistan
Venue	Punjab Stadium, Lahore
Date	29 May – 1 June 2022
Countries	2
Final positions
Champions	Pakistan
Tournament statistics
Matches played	2
Attendance	600 (300 per match)
Top scorer(s)	Thanapong Punpang (20 points)
Most tries	Omair Khan (2 tries)

The 2022 edition of the Division 2 Tournament was held from 29 May – 1 June 2022 in Lahore, Pakistan.

Pos	Nation	Games				Points			Bonus points	Total points
		Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	For	Against	Difference
1	Pakistan	2	1	0	1	39	38	1	2	6
2	Thailand	2	1	0	1	38	39	-1	1	5

Matches

Team details

FB 15 Omair Khan RW 14 Khalid Bhatti OC 13 Mohammad Aqib Siddique IC 12 Muhammad Haroon LW 11 Faisal Aslam FH 10 Ahmed Waseem SH 9 Dawood Gill N8 8 Ali Shahid OF 7 Anjum Sajjad BF 6 Ali Khan RL 5 Dawood Shah LL 4 Mohammad Waqas TP 3 Hamad Safdar (c) HK 2 Israr Ahmed LP 1 Moiz Shah Replacements: 16 Ossama Aslam 17 Arslan Mir 18 Mohammad Imran 19 Arfan Ali 20 Shoaib Wadood Khan 21 Muhammad Afzal 22 Saad Arif 23 Wasim Abbas Coach: FB 15 Natthachack Chumjai RW 14 Siriwach Kangsawasd OC 13 Thitipon Jampasri IC 12 Tanin Compaengyot LW 11 Samorn Buasod FH 10 Luc Legrand SH 9 Arun Rattanakarn N8 8 Sarut Janda OF 7 Wasawat Duangjit BF 6 Patchraraphat Sornritchingchai (c) RL 5 Nattapong Boonkham LL 4 Wasintu Thongaram TP 3 George Willson HK 2 Spain Panyadee LP 1 Thammarat Lolek Replacements: 16 Thanapong Punpang 17 Pisit Koknak 18 Lobsang Dundup Sherpa Subirana 19 Thanakon Khrukaset 20 Thirawit Jamenmanee 21 Ruthapum Rakacha 22 Thanadej Na Phuket 23 Pradabyod Mahayod Coach:

Team details

FB 15 Omair Khan RW 14 Muhammad Haroon OC 13 Mohammad Aqib Siddique IC 12 Saad Arif LW 11 Khurram Shahzad FH 10 Ahmed Waseem SH 9 Dawood Gill N8 8 Ali Shahid OF 7 Anjum Sajjad BF 6 Ali Khan RL 5 Dawood Shah LL 4 Mohammad Waqas TP 3 Hamad Safdar (c) HK 2 Israr Ahmed LP 1 Moiz Shah Replacements: 16 Ossama Aslam 17 Arslan Mir 18 Mohammad Imran 19 Shoaib Wadood Khan 20 Arfan Ali 21 Mohammad Bilal Akbar 22 Faisal Aslam 23 Muhammad Afzal Coach: Gert Mulder FB 15 Luc Legrand RW 14 Samorn Buasod OC 13 Tanin Compaengyot IC 12 Natthachack Chumjai LW 11 Karanat Nilrat FH 10 Thanapong Punpang SH 9 Pradabyod Mahayod N8 8 Sarut Janda OF 7 Wasawat Duangjit BF 6 Thirawit Jamenmanee RL 5 Nattapong Boonkham LL 4 Kanjatinun Kaewpadup TP 3 Thanadej Na Phuket HK 2 Spain Panyadee LP 1 Thammarat Lolek Replacements: 16 Wasintu Thongaram 17 Pisit Koknak 18 Krit Raphawee 19 Patchraraphat Sornritchingchai 20 Arun Rattanakarn 21 Siriwach Kangsawasd 22 Lobsang Dundup Sherpa Subirana 23 Thanakon Khrukaset Coach:

Division 3 Central

2022 Asia Rugby Division 3 Central

Tournament details
Host	Kyrgyzstan
Venue	Dolen Omurzakov Stadium
Date	3 – 6 July 2022
Countries	4
Final positions
Champions	Kazakhstan
Runner-up	Uzbekistan
Third place	Mongolia
Tournament statistics
Matches played	4
Tries scored	47 (11.75 per match)
Attendance	400 (100 per match)
Top scorer(s)	Abdrakhman Nashibayev Magamedrasul Magomedov (25 points)
Most tries	Abdrakhman Nashibayev Magamedrasul Magomedov (5 tries)

The Division 3 Central Tournament was held from 3–6 July at Dolen Omurzakov Stadium in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, they were originally set to host the competition in 2020 however due to the COVID-19 pandemic it was delayed.^[10] The tournament was played by Uzbekistan, Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. Kazakstan winning the tournament.^[11]

Mongolia were originally set to host the 2022 Division 3 South East & East, however with the cancellation of the tournament they joined Division 3 Central replacing Afghanistan.^[12][13]

	Semi-finals				Final
	3 July 2022
	Uzbekistan	17
					6 July 2022
	Mongolia	10
					Kazakhstan	32
	3 July 2022
					Uzbekistan	24
	Kyrgyzstan	5
	Kazakhstan	115
					Third place play-off
					6 July 2022
					Kyrgyzstan	7
					Mongolia	69

Semi Finals

Team details

FB 15 Bekhruz Khamdullaev RW 14 Giyosbek Turdiev OC 13 Ulugbek Boev IC 12 Sergey Kurbanov LW 11 Umar Usmonov FH 10 Sobirjon Sobirov SH 9 Okhunjon Tukhtasinov N8 8 Abduvoris Karimov (c) OF 7 Sardor Khaydarov BF 6 Rustam Namirov RL 5 Sanjar Safarov LL 4 Ruslan Ibragimov TP 3 Shokhjakhon Nobutaev HK 2 Muhriddin Muminiv LP 1 Jakhongir Kildoshev Replacements: 16 Shehroz Soibanazarov 17 Akrom Chorshanbiev 18 Sunnat Mukhametdinov 19 Olimjon Tulaganov 20 Bakhitiyor Sirojiddinov 21 Sobirjon Kholikulov 22 Timurbek Kamilov 23 Sharifon Ismoilov 24 Ahrorjon Mirzaliev 25 Azamation Qodirov 26 Vladimir Pavlenko Coach: Andre Human FB 15 Baterdene Batkhuyag RW 14 Bayarnyam Purenyam OC 13 Soderdene Bazarsuren IC 12 Naranbaatar Batsukh (c) LW 11 Baljinnyam Olivoon FH 10 Gansaikhan Enkhbat SH 9 Munkhdemberel Galbadrakh N8 8 Nyambayar Nergui OF 7 Javkhlantugs Enkhbat BF 6 Tuguldur Tsogtbaatar RL 5 Dulguun Altanjargal LL 4 Tsogt-Erdene Munkhbayar TP 3 Unubold Tsolmon HK 2 Bataa Nyamdorj LP 1 Natsagdorj Oidovdorj Replacements: 16 Gantsolmon Enk-Ekhlelt 17 Tserenchimed Miyagmar 18 Bayarmanlai Dorj 19 Darkhanbat Suvd-Erdene 20 Enkh-Amgalan Nyamjav 21 Altangerel Ganbold 22 Mendamar Gansukh 23 Ganerdene Batdorj 24 Sharavjamts Battsagaan 25 Bayanmunkh Erkhembayar Coach:

Team details

FB 15 Zhyldyzbek Burganakov RW 14 Arzymat Temirbekov OC 13 Urmat Torobek Uulu IC 12 Sergey Jigaylov LW 11 Artem Kuznetsov FH 10 Mirzhan Emilbekov SH 9 Erzhan Mirbek Uulu N8 8 Bek Khaldar Uulu OF 7 Bekmurza Bukarbek Uulu BF 6 Tynchtykek Borbiev RL 5 Tamirlan Ismailov LL 4 Artem Kaplan TP 3 Sansyzbek Nurlanbek Uulu HK 2 Nikolai Kotlyarov LP 1 Erlan Tashmamatov Replacements: 16 Eldos Orozmatov 17 Bektursun Makhmud Uulu 18 Ilgis Doolotbai Uulu 19 Anarbek Kokum Uulu 20 Nuraaly Duishenaaly Uulu 21 Kairatbek Rapiev 22 Alexander Zolotukhin 23 Binor Abdazimov Coach: FB 15 Abdrakhman Nashibayev RW 14 Petukhov Maxim OC 13 Damirzhan Niyazov IC 12 Daulet Akymbekov LW 11 Roman Scherbakov FH 10 Armanzhan Vasilov SH 9 Alisher Abdrakov N8 8 Magomedrasul Magomedov (c) OF 7 Ilyas Mambaev BF 6 Egor Khromov RL 5 Onlasyn Tursunbek LL 4 Yaroslav Mussiyatchenko TP 3 Timur Timoshin HK 2 Rustam Kurbanov LP 1 Alexander Belashov Replacements: 16 Daniil Sumskyi 17 Adam Gadaborshiev 18 Imam Akhiyat 19 Kazibekov Damir 20 Aktilek Bolatkhan 21 Oleg Guselnikov 22 Ikhonkin Ruslan 23 Khanali Mustafaev Coach: Evgeny Zuev

3rd/4th place Play off

Team details

FB 15 Zhyldyzbek Burganakov RW 14 Nikolai Kotlyarov OC 13 Binor Abdazimov IC 12 Sergey Jigaylov LW 11 Artem Kuznetsov FH 10 Mirzhan Emilbekov SH 9 Erzhan Mirbek Uulu N8 8 Bek Khaldar Uulu OF 7 Bekmurza Bukarbek Uulu BF 6 Tamirlan Ismailov RL 5 Artem Kaplan LL 4 Anarbek Kokum Uulu TP 3 Tynchtykek Borbiev HK 2 Erlan Tashmamatov LP 1 Sansyzbek Nurlanbek Uulu Replacements: 16 Eldos Orozmatov 17 Bektursun Makhmud Uulu 18 Ilgis Doolotbai Uulu 19 Arzymat Temirbekov 20 Nuraaly Duishenaaly Uulu 21 Kairatbek Rapiev 22 Alexander Zolotukhin 23 Esen Zhamalbek Uulu 24 Temirlan Ishenbekov 25 Aibek Mambetaliev 26 Urmat Torobek Uulu Coach: FB 15 Ganerdene Batdorj RW 14 Sharavjamts Battsagaan OC 13 Bayarnyam Purenyam IC 12 Naranbaatar Batsukh (c) LW 11 Soderdene Bazarsuren FH 10 Gansaikhan Enkhbat SH 9 Altangerel Ganbold N8 8 Nyambayar Nergui OF 7 Javkhlantugs Enkhbat BF 6 Tuguldur Tsogtbaatar RL 5 Dulguun Altanjargal LL 4 Tsogt-Erdene Munkhbayar TP 3 Bayarmanlai Dorj HK 2 Gantsolmon Enk-Ekhlelt LP 1 Bayanmunkh Erkhembayar Replacements: 16 Bataa Nyamdorj 17 Natsagdorj Oidovdorj 18 Unubold Tsolmon 19 Darkhanbat Suvd-Erdene 20 Enkh-Amgalan Nyamjav 21 Munkhdemberel Galbadrakh 22 Mendamar Gansukh 23 Baterdene Batkhuyag Coach:

Final

Team details

FB 15 Shehroz Soibanazarov RW 14 Giyosbek Turdiev OC 13 Ulugbek Boev IC 12 Sergey Kurbanov LW 11 Umar Usmonov FH 10 Sobirjon Sobirov SH 9 Vladimir Pavlenko N8 8 Abduvoris Karimov (c) OF 7 Sardor Khaydarov BF 6 Rustam Namirov RL 5 Sanjar Safarov LL 4 Ruslan Ibragimov TP 3 Shokhjakhon Nobutaev HK 2 Muhriddin Muminiv LP 1 Jakhongir Kuldoshev Replacements: 16 Akrom Chorshanbiev 17 Bekhruz Khamdullaev 18 Sunnat Mukhametdinov 19 Olimjon Tulaganov 20 Bakhitiyor Sirojiddinov 21 Sobirjon Kholikulov 22 Timurbek Kamilov 23 Sharifon Ismoilov Coach: Andre Human FB 15 Abdrakhman Nashibayev RW 14 Petukhov Maxim OC 13 Damirzhan Niyazov IC 12 Daulet Akymbekov LW 11 Roman Scherbakov FH 10 Armanzhan Vasilov SH 9 Alisher Abdrakov N8 8 Magomedrasul Magomedov (c) OF 7 Ilyas Mambaev BF 6 Egor Khromov RL 5 Onlasyn Tursunbek LL 4 Yaroslav Mussiyatchenko TP 3 Timur Timoshin HK 2 Rustam Kurbanov LP 1 Alexander Belashov Replacements: 16 Daniil Sumskyi 17 Adam Gadaborshiev 18 Imam Akhiyat 19 Kazibekov Damir 20 Erzat Zhwtpisbaev 21 Oleg Guselnikov 22 Alexander Lymar 23 Khanali Mustafaev Coach: Evgeny Zuev

Division 3 South

2023 Asia Rugby Division 3 South

Tournament details
Host	India
Venue	Rabindra Sarobar Stadium, Kolkata
Date	19–25 November 2022
Countries	3
Final positions
Champions	India
Runner-up	Bangladesh
Third place	Nepal
Tournament statistics
Matches played	3
Tries scored	37 (12.33 per match)
Attendance	2,500 (833 per match)
Top scorer(s)	Gaurav Kumar (25 points)
Most tries	Gaurav Kumar (5 tries)

The 2022 edition of the Division 3 South Tournament was held from 19–25 November 2022 at the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium, India.^[14] India were champions not conceding a single point across the tournament.^[15]

Pos	Nation	Games				Points			Total points
		Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	For	Against	Difference
1	India	2	2	0	0	168	0	168	8
2	Bangladesh	2	1	0	1	43	94	-51	4
3	Nepal	2	0	0	2	12	129	-117	0

Team details

FB 15 Rajdeep Saha RW 14 Shridhar Shrikant Nigade OC 13 Dhanasekar K IC 12 Arpan Chetri LW 11 Gaurav Kumar FH 10 Akash Balmiki SH 9 Gautam Dagar N8 8 Nitin Dagar OF 7 Devendra Padir BF 6 Suresh Kumar RL 5 Surinder Singh LL 4 Jitendra Kumar TP 3 Sanket Sataji Patil HK 2 Bharat LP 1 Mannu Tanwar Replacements: 16 Suraj Prasad 17 Harjap Singh 18 Harvinder Singh 19 Shivam Shukla 21 Sukumar Hembrom 22 Pankaj Barman 24 Kamal Deep 25 Prince Khatri Coach: Kiona Fourie FB 15 Suroj Chaudhary RW 14 Hutraj Pradhan OC 13 Kapil Sapkota IC 12 Niroj Karki LW 11 Suraj Rana FH 10 Bikram Puri SH 9 Birat Shrestha N8 8 Shreeram Shrestha (c) OF 7 Milan Thapa BF 6 Sher Bahadur Oli RL 5 Ramit Bahadur Mal LL 4 Sujan Kumal TP 3 Bikash Rana Magar HK 2 Kshitiz Karki LP 1 Bibesh Bashu Replacements: 16 Anil Majhi 17 Sewak Kunwar 18 Anuraj Lamichhane 21 Bhesh Raj Bastola 22 Parsharam Rai 23 Amar Shrestha 24 Yadu Adhikari 26 Suman Chaulagain Coach: Tanka Raj Giri

Team details

FB 15 Suroj Chaudhary RW 14 Hutraj Pradhan OC 26 Suman Chaulagain IC 12 Niroj Karki LW 11 Suraj Rana FH 10 Bikram Puri SH 9 Birat Shrestha N8 8 Shreeram Shrestha (c) OF 18 Anuraj Lamichhane BF 6 Sher Bahadur Oli RL 5 Ramit Bahadur Mal LL 4 Sujan Kumal TP 16 Anil Majhi HK 2 Kshitiz Karki LP 1 Bibesh Bashu Replacements: 17 Sewak Kunwar 3 Bikash Rana Magar 19 Bikram Bharati 20 Birat Jung Aidi 22 Bishal Badu 13 Kapil Sapkota Coach: Tanka Raj Giri FB 15 Shahiduzzaman RW 14 Anowruzzaman OC 13 Akteruzzaman IC 12 Digonto Sarker Bijoy LW 11 Sobuz Ali Biwswas FH 10 Milon Hossen SH 9 Nadim Mahmud (c) N8 8 Taniur Hossain OF 7 Obaidur Rahaman BF 6 Sohel Ahmed RL 5 Mehedi Hasan LL 4 Mahabobur Rahman Dinar TP 3 Hashib Uddin HK 2 Milon Hossain LP 1 Paritosh Chakma Replacements: 16 Saddam Hossain 18 Habibur Rahman 19 Jwel Rana 20 Uzzal Chandra Roy 21 Emad Saruare Khan 24 Mohammad Khaled Mahmud 12 Sree Tipu Ranjon Das Coach: Mohammed Abdul Kader

Team details

FB 15 Rajdeep Saha RW 14 Shridhar Shrikant Nigade OC 13 Prabal Giri IC 12 Arpan Chetri LW 11 Gaurav Kumar FH 10 Akash Balmiki SH 9 Sukumar Hembrom N8 8 Nitin Dagar OF 19 Shivam Shukla BF 25 Prince Khatri (c) RL 5 Surinder Singh LL 4 Jitendra Kumar TP 1 Mannu Tanwar Patil HK 16 Suraj Prasad LP 17 Harjap Singh Replacements: 2 Bharat 3 Sanket Sataji Patil 18 Harvinder Singh 6 Suresh Kumar 7 Devendra Padir 21 Zosangzuala 24 Kamal Deep 26 Shanawaz Ahmed Coach: Kiona Fourie FB 15 Shahiduzzaman RW 14 Anowruzzaman OC 13 Akteruzzaman IC 12 Sree Tipu Ranjon Das LW 11 Sobuz Ali Biwswas FH 10 Milon Hossen SH 9 Nadim Mahmud (c) N8 8 Taniur Hossain OF 7 Obaidur Rahaman BF 6 Sohel Ahmed RL 5 Mehedi Hasan LL 4 Mahabobur Rahman Dinar TP 3 Hashib Uddin HK 2 Milon Hossain LP 25 Mir Raisul Mahmud Replacements: 16 Saddam Hossain 1 Paritosh Chakma 18 Habibur Rahman 19 Jwel Rana 20 Uzzal Chandra Roy 21 Emad Saruare Khan 23 Digonto Sarker Bijoy 24 Mohammad Khaled Mahmud Coach: Mohammed Abdul Kader

Division 3 West

2022 Asia Rugby Division 3 West

Tournament details
Host	United Arab Emirates
Venue	Al Ain Rugby Club
Date	10 February 2023
Countries	2
Final positions
Champions	Qatar
Runner-up	Iran
Tournament statistics
Matches played	1
Tries scored	8 (8 per match)
Attendance	100 (100 per match)
Top scorer(s)	Wade Lotter (15 points)
Most tries	Wade Lotter (3 tries)
Player of the tournament	Wade Lotter

The 2022 edition of the Division 3 West Tournament was held on 10 February 2023 in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.^[16] With Qatar winning the competition with 12-40 win over Iran.^[17][18]

Originally due to have taken place May 9 to May 14. Qatar, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran and Oman where all interested in featuring. Lebanon and Iran both were front runners to host but due to progress made by Iran over the last 6 years they were awarded the position of hosts.^[19][20]

In April 2022 the competition was postponed until the September and was set to be between Iran, Iraq, Lebanon and Syria.^[21][22]

By September the competition was once again postponed this time to October 2022. Iraq, Lebanon and Syria all dropped out with Qatar coming back in. Qatar and Iran were to play two tests on October 8 and 11 in Tehran.^[23]

Due to protests from the Iranian team in solidarity with the unrest in the country the competition was once again delayed to February 2023 and reduced to a single test match to be played in the UAE.^[24][25]

Pos	Nation	Games				Points			Bonus points	Total points
		Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	For	Against	Difference
1	Qatar	1	1	0	0	40	12	28	0	4
2	Iran	1	0	0	1	12	40	-28	0	0

Team details

FB 15 Gholamreza Shah Hosseini Aedekani (c) RW 14 Mostafa Ghodsian OC 13 Mohammad Namvar IC 12 Reza Bayat LW 11 Ali Yaghoti FH 10 Ramin Najafi SH 20 Mohammad Ali Esteki N8 8 Sina Khanzadeh Mohtashami OF 7 Afshin Seraji BF 6 Hassan Mardsayah RL 27 Iman Rajabi Dashtbayaz LL 4 Shahriar Farsian TP 3 Mohammad Hossein Anoosheh HK 2 Amin Biabanzade LP 1 Mohammad Reza Balali Replacements: 17 Ahmad Ataeinazarabad 19 Mohammad Gholamrezaei 18 Pouyan Shadkam 9 Payam Shojaei 25 Mehdi Abedi 21 Alireza Nazeri 24 Majid Bakhtiari 26 Siavash Ahamadi Coach: Mahyar Askari FB 15 Hamza Saied RW 14 Badre Bakaddouri OC 13 Iliesa Rakabu IC 12 Johann-Henry Bezuidenhout LW 11 Frank Hughes FH 10 Brook Tremayne SH 9 James Phillips N8 8 Dave Ford (c) OF 7 Guillermo Villegas Bardo BF 6 Tom Featherstone RL 5 Ismail El Hatmi LL 4 Darshan Gangineni TP 3 Dylan Pietersen HK 2 Wade Lotter LP 1 Brett Allam Replacements: 16 Abdulaziz Al-Dosari 17 Nicky Lock 18 Steve Elumeze 19 Guy Briggs 20 Thomas Metcalf 21 Abdulaziz Alhanek 22 Oussama Lakhbib 23 Breda Dreyer Coach: Sam Weber

See also

• 2023 Rugby World Cup – Asia qualification

References

External links

• Official website