7th heaven for HK as Sri Lanka claims promotion to Top 4

By Shamseer Jaleel

Hong Kong Under-19 Men’s outfit beat South Korea 29/19 to secure their seventh straight Asian Under-19 title and their qualification from the Asian Region for the Junior Rugby World Cup 2020, which will take place in Spain. 

Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan youth outfit under Thulaib Hassen, coached by Viper (jnr) Gunaratne, stamped their class with two magnificent wins over China and Philippines to secure their promotion to Asian Top 4 in 2020. This will give them an opportunity for Youth Rugby World Cup qualification in 2021.

South Korea and Taipei finished level second on nine points, while Singapore, who finished fourth on three points, will be demoted to Division 1 in 2020. Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, Taipei and South Korea will feature in the Top 4 in 2020. The win puts Hong Kong through to a seventh straight World Rugby Under-20 Championship in Spain next September.

Meanwhile, in the lower level at Division 2, Malaysia edged out UAE to secure their Division 1 allotment for next year. Surprisingly, hosts China at Division 1 will be demoted after their two defeats to Sri Lanka and Thailand, which will put them alongside UAE in the bottom segment.

 Asia Top 4 - 2020

Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, Taipei, South Korea

Division 1

Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia

Division 2

UAE and China