The 2023 Asia Rugby Women's Championship is the 12th edition of the Asia Rugby Women's Championship, and took place from 23 to 28 May and was hosted in Almaty, Kazakhstan.[1][2] The winner and runner-up will classify for the inaugural edition of the WXV.[1][2] The winner qualifies for WXV2, and the runner-up competes in WXV3. WXV will also provide a pathway to the 2025 Rugby World Cup, with at least the top five non-qualified teams at the end of WXV 2024 earning qualification to the tournament.[3]
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Host |  Kazakhstan |
| Venue | Almaty Sports Training Complex |
| Date | May 23, 2023 – May 28, 2023 |
| Countries | |
| Teams | 3 |
| Final positions | |
| Champions |  Japan (5th title) |
| Runner-up | Kazakhstan |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Matches played | 2 |
| Tries scored | 19 (9.5 per match) |
| Top scorer(s) | Ayasa Otsuka – 17 points |
| Website | Asia Rugby |
← 2022 2024 → | |
Japan defeated Kazakhstan in the final and were crowned champions. Both teams will compete in the inaugural WXV competition in October, with Japan set to compete in WXV 2 and Kazakhstan in WXV 3.[4]
Format
editThe first match will see 15th ranked, Hong Kong China, take on hosts Kazakhstan who are ranked 19th at the Almaty Sports Training Complex in Almaty at 16:00 (+6 GMT).[3] The winner will face Japan in the final on May 28 at the same venue at 15:00 local time.[3]
China was initially scheduled to play Japan in the semifinals but withdrew from the tournament. Thus, giving Japan a win by default.[5]
Match officials
editOn 18 May 2023, Asia Rugby announced the appointment of match officials for the upcoming tournament.[6]
|
Referees (2)
|
Assistants (3)
|
Television Match Official
|
Fixtures
edit| 23 May 2023 | Kazakhstan
|
27–23 |  Hong Kong China
|
Almaty Sports Training Complex, Almaty | ||
| 16:00 ALMT (UTC+6) | Try: Amina Tulegenova (2) 7' m, 33' m Yelena Yurova (2) 37' c, 55' m Veronika Stepanyuga 49' m Con: Gulim Bakhytbek 38' Cards: Liliya Kibisheva  40' to 50'
|
[7][8][9] | Try: Qian Jiayu 30' m Chong Ka-yan 41' m Natasha Olson-Thorne 60' c Con: Aileen Ryan 61' Pen: Aileen Ryan (2) 17', 36' |
Referee: Eri Kamimura (JRFU) |
Final
edit| 28 May 2023 | Japan
|
72–0 | Kazakhstan
|
Almaty Sports Training Complex, Almaty | ||
| 15:00 ALMT (UTC+6) | Try: Ayano Nagai (2) 3' c, 13' c Komachi Imakugi 20' m Kotono Yasuo (2) 25' m, 43' c Wako Kitano 28' c Sora Nishimura 35' m Yuki Paraki 40+1' c Otoka Yoshimura 54' c Masami Kawamura 62' m Ayumu Kokaji 72' c Con: Ayasa Otsuka (7) 4', 13', 30', 40+2', 44', 55', 73' Pen: Ayasa Otsuka 9' |
[10][11] | Cards: Daiana Kazibekova 29' to 39'
|
Referee: Christabelle Lim (Singapore) |
Bracket
edit| Semi-final | Final | ||||||||
| 1 | Japan
| 72 | |||||||
| 1 | Kazakhstan
| 27 | 2 | Kazakhstan
| 0 | ||||
| 2 | Hong Kong China
| 23 | |||||||
References
edit- ^ a b "Netherlands climb World Rugby Women's Rankings powered by Capgemini". www.world.rugby. 2023-05-08. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
- ^ a b "Netherlands trip vital stop on Hong Kong China's road to WXV". www.women.rugby. 2023-05-04. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
- ^ a b c "Asia Rugby Women's Championship kicks off in Almaty". Asia Rugby. 2023-05-15. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
- ^ "Japan cruise into WXV 2 as Asia women's champions". www.world.rugby. 2023-05-28. Retrieved 2023-05-28.
- ^ "Asia Rugby Women's Championship 2023 - 3 Nations To Contest Title". RugbyAsia247. 2023-05-16. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
- ^ "Appointment of match officials : ARWC". Asia Rugby. 2023-05-18. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
- ^ "Kazakhstan vs Hong Kong". World Rugby. 2023-05-23. Archived from the original on 2023-05-24. Retrieved 2023-05-23.
- ^ "Kazakhstan Defeat Hong Kong China 27 – 23 in Asia Rugby Women's Championship Opening Match". Asia Rugby. 2023-05-24. Archived from the original on 2023-05-24. Retrieved 2023-05-24.
- ^ "Kazakhstan win place in WXV". ScrumQueens.com. 2023-05-23. Archived from the original on 2023-05-23. Retrieved 2023-05-23.
- ^ "Japan vs Kazakhstan". World Rugby. 2023-05-28. Archived from the original on 2023-06-02. Retrieved 2023-06-02.
- ^ "Sakura Fifteen Secure WXV 2 Spot With Strong Win Over Kazakhstan in Almaty". Japan Rugby Football Union. 2023-05-29. Archived from the original on 2023-05-29. Retrieved 2023-05-29.