2023 Asia Rugby Women's Championship

2023 Asia Rugby Women's Championship
Tournament details
Host Kazakhstan
VenueAlmaty Sports Training Complex
DateMay 23, 2023 (2023-05-23) – May 28, 2023 (2023-05-28)
Countries
Teams3
Final positions
Champions Japan (5th title)
Runner-up Kazakhstan
Tournament statistics
Matches played2
Tries scored19 (9.5 per match)
Top scorer(s)Japan Ayasa Otsuka – 17 points
WebsiteAsia Rugby
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2024 →

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]

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

The 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

On 18 May 2023, Asia Rugby announced the appointment of match officials for the upcoming tournament.[6]

Fixtures

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 yellow card 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

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 yellow card 29' to 39' Referee: Christabelle Lim (Singapore)

Bracket

Semi-final Final
1  Japan 72
1  Kazakhstan 27 2  Kazakhstan 0
2  Hong Kong China 23

References

  1. ^ a b "Netherlands climb World Rugby Women's Rankings powered by Capgemini". www.world.rugby. 2023-05-08. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  2. ^ a b "Netherlands trip vital stop on Hong Kong China's road to WXV". www.women.rugby. 2023-05-04. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  3. ^ a b c "Asia Rugby Women's Championship kicks off in Almaty". Asia Rugby. 2023-05-15. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
  4. ^ "Japan cruise into WXV 2 as Asia women's champions". www.world.rugby. 2023-05-28. Retrieved 2023-05-28.
  5. ^ "Asia Rugby Women's Championship 2023 - 3 Nations To Contest Title". RugbyAsia247. 2023-05-16. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
  6. ^ "Appointment of match officials : ARWC". Asia Rugby. 2023-05-18. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
  7. ^ "Kazakhstan vs Hong Kong". World Rugby. 2023-05-23. Archived from the original on 2023-05-24. Retrieved 2023-05-23.
  8. ^ "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.
  9. ^ "Kazakhstan win place in WXV". ScrumQueens.com. 2023-05-23. Archived from the original on 2023-05-23. Retrieved 2023-05-23.
  10. ^ "Japan vs Kazakhstan". World Rugby. 2023-05-28. Archived from the original on 2023-06-02. Retrieved 2023-06-02.
  11. ^ "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.