Japan and Kazakhstan are the men’s and women’s top seeds for the Asia regional qualifier for Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009, which takes place at the Hong Kong Football Club on 4-5 October.
Twelve nations will contest the men’s competition with Japan, Korea, hosts Hong Kong and China the top four seeds, while eight of these plus the Arabian Gulf will attempt to qualify for the first ever RWC Sevens women’s competition.
The Asian Games champions in 2006, Japan have been drawn in Pool A of the men’s competition with Kazakhstan and Thailand. The winner of this pool will then face their Pool D counterpart, be that China, Malaysia – the recent Sri Lanka Sevens winners – or Guam.
Korea, beaten 27-26 by Japan in that Asian Games final in Doha, are the second seeds and joined in Pool B by Chinese Taipei and Singapore. Host nation Hong Kong head Pool C with Sri Lanka and India for the qualifier.
Two nations will secure passage to RWC Sevens 2009 from the Asian region with Arabian Gulf already qualified as Host Union, swelling the number of men’s teams confirmed to 19 with qualifiers remaining in the Americas and Africa.
Kazakhstan lead women's challenge
In the Asian women’s qualifier, which runs alongside the men’s in Hong Kong, reigning Asian Sevens champions Kazakhstan will fancy their chances of booking their tickets to Dubai for the RWC Sevens next March.
Kazakhstan, who represented Asia at the Women's Rugby World Cup 2006 in Canada, have been drawn in Pool A with hosts Hong Kong and Singapore, while China, Arabian Gulf and Sri Lanka comprise Pool B and Japan, Thailand and Chinese Taipei form Pool C.
Only the three pool winners are guaranteed passage to the semi-finals, along with the best runner up. The two finalists and winner of the third place playoff will join the likes of England, Australia, New Zealand and Brazil at RWC Sevens.
On the eve of the Asia regional qualifier in Hong Kong, the seedings and playing schedule for Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009 will be announced.
