Japan secures Asian Under-17 Sevens

Asian Rugby giants Japan secured the Asian Sevens in the Under 17 age segment in the 10-team event when they handed Thailand a 43-0 defeat in the cup final at the Municipal Grounds in Taipei on sunday.

Hosts Taipei were disappointed as they could finish only third after beating Malaysia 40-7. 

Sri Lanka, sporting a team led by Naveen Heenakankanmge, were the champions in this age group in 2016 during the two-leg event in Hong Kong and Taipei. 

The Sri Lanka schools rugby sections failed to send in their application in time while also failing to secure a sponsor as well. Japan, courtesy of this series win, will qualify from Asia as the sole representative at the 2018 Youth Commonwealth Games in Argentina. 

 Results day 2

Cup final: Japan beat Thailand 43-0

Third place play-off: Taipei beat Malaysia 40-7

Plate winners (fifth position): Hong Kong beat Philippines 29-0

Seventh place: India beat Laos 24-5

Ninth place: the UAE beat Uzbekistan 21-7

(SJ)