With the ongoing spread and fear of coronavirus (COVID-19), rugby on the Asian continent has been badly disrupted at all levels. We look at what rugby tournaments and leagues are due to go ahead in March 2020, but these might change as more governmental restrictions come into play. This is our guide to the best rugby tournaments in Asia in March 2020.
These tournaments are still due to go ahead at the time of publishing. Best to check tournament official websites and social media but we will try and update the information if there are changes.
Feature Photo Credit: Manila Tens
World Rugby Pacific Challenge 2020
There was very little information about the annual tournament right up to the eve of the international rugby tournament itself.
Four nations are represented by their Junior U20 teams at the World Rugby Pacific Challenge 2020: Junior Japa, Fiji Warrior, Samoa A, Tonga A. Fiji has won the past four years with Japan runners-up the past 3 years. All games are played in Suva, Fiji.
- Venue: Suva, Fiji
- Dates: 6-14 March 2020
Women’s HSBC World Rugby 7s Challenger Series 2020
Although the Challenger Series is not taking place in Asia, 3 Asian nations (China, Japan, Kazakhstan) will be competing in South Africa to try and make the final qualifiers at the Hong Kong Sevens in October 2020. This is a standalone event with 12 teams in total involved.
The Men’s Challenger Series took place in South America over two legs which saw Japan and Hong Kong finish 1st and 2nd to qualify for the final round, also in HK this October.
- Venue: Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch, South Africa
- Dates: 28-29th March 2020 (Update- postpone due to coronavirus)
Global Rapid Rugby 2020
Global Rapid Rugby (GRR) 2020 kicks off in March, with the Fijian Latui hosting the China Lions on March 14th followed by Manuma Samoa playing the South China Tigers, and Western Force hosting the Malaysia Valke. There should be 3 rounds of GRR played in March 2020.
The China Lions have already had their home games moved to NZ due to coronavirus. There is no update on the games set to be played in Asia, for the Malaysia Valke and South China Tigers, being moved. The GRR website is here.
Update- all rounds after round 1 postponed due to coronavirus
Round 1 March 14 2020
- Fijian Latui vs China Lions
- Manuma Samoa vs South China Tigers
- Western Force vs Malaysia Valke
Round 2 March 21 2020
- Fijian Latui vs South China Tigers
- Manuma Samoa vs Western Force
- Malaysia Valke vs South China Tigers
Round 3 March 28-29 2020
- Malaysia Valke vs Manuma Samoa
- Fijian Latui vs Western Force
- China Lions vs South China Tigers
Singapore Rugby National League 2020
The finals of the Singapore Rugby National League for Men and Women should be played on the weekend of 6th-7th March 2020. The semi-finals for the men were played on the 28th Feb with no games affected.
The event will be limited to the first 500 spectators and will be following strict protocol (including temperature checks and registration).
Women’s Cup Final
- Blacks RFC vs Bedok Skyllas (7th March 2020)
Men’s Finals
- Bowl: Bucks 3 vs Wanderers Rovers (6th March)
- Shield: Bedok 2nd XV vs SCC Lions
- Plate: SCC Tankards vs Gauloix Roosters XV
- Cup: Bucks 1st XV vs Wanderers Prems
Follow the results on Macoocoo.
Manila Tens 2020
Updated March 13: The tournament has been cancelled due to coronavirus.
The biggest social rugby tournament in the Philippines (and it is the 32nd edition in 2020), the Manila Tens will be played at the end of March. The Manila Nomads organise the tournament and the two-day International Rugby Festival will be held at a new venue; Alabang Country Club.
A number of teams who have registered may be affected by travel restrictions, such as was the case with the Bangkok International Tens played on the first weekend of March 2020.
- Venue: Alabang Country Club, Metro Manila, Philippines
- Date: 28-29 March 2020 (Cancelled)
K.E.R.A 2020
The K.E.R.A (Korean Expatriate Rugby Association) rugby union league 2020 is set to kick off this March and all four teams are preparing as if the league is still due to go ahead. Four rounds are planned with the 1st one being hosted in Pyeontaek on March 21st.
Good luck to the Seoul Survivors, Busan Bandits, Ulsan Goblins and Stars and Stripes.
Yomitan Sevens 2020
The Yomitan Sevens rugby 2020 tournament is a two-day women’s rugby tournament in Japan. The Women’s Rugby Friendly Game Event is still due to proceed at this stage but you can visit their website for more info.
- Venue: ZANPA Premium Ball Park, Japan
- Date: 28-29 March 2020
KL Highland Games 2020 Rugby
Update: The Games have been postponed on March 13th 2020 due to coronavirus. New Dates TBC.
The Kuala Lumpur Highland Games 2020 includes rugby, veterans and junior rugby tournaments are planned for this year. In addition, there are traditional Scottish/Highland activities and events for the whole family.
To follow their FB page go here.
- Venue: Bukit Kiara Equestrian & Country Resort, KL, Malaysia
- Date: March 21st 2020 (Postponed)
What tournaments have been affected in March?
The following tournaments have been confirmed postponed or cancelled in March 2020 due to health concerns.
Asia Rugby postponed national tournaments
Photo Credit: Rhino
Asia Rugby confirmed on February 29th that all national Asia Rugby tournaments are effectively on hold until the end of June.
- Asia Rugby Men’s Division 2 postponed: (was planned for Feb 26th -1 March 2020) with Thailand, China, Pakistan, Chinese Taipei
Visit our guide on all Asian national team tournaments in 2020.
Super Rugby & Japan Top League
Super Rugby and Japan Top League have also been affected with the Sunwolves having two home games moved from Japan. The Japan Top League is on hold for a couple of weeks.
Update- Super Rugby and the Japan Top League were postponed due to coronavirus and drug charges respectively.
KL International Tens Rugby 2020 – Cancelled
The KL Tigers International Rugby 10s 2020 edition was due to be played from 7-8th March at the Bukit Kiara Equestrian Centre in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. The youth grade rugby tournament would have featured boys rugby for Under 6 to Under 18 age groups, as well as girls, touch rugby.
See the FB page for more details.
All Girls International Rugby Sevens 2020 – Postponed
The girls’ rugby tournament was forced to postpone following the announcement from the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens that the tournament was postponed to October 2020. At this stage, no new date has been set for the AGIR7s.
Social Rugby in China in 2020- Postponed
There is usually a lot of activity with the Chinese social rugby scene and many tens rugby tournaments in China. The Sino Tens rugby tournaments were due to start in February but all rugby is on hold due to coronavirus. We were told nothing will happen until May, but there is no official word.
Visit our rugby tournament calendar for all the Asian rugby tournaments we are aware of.
Other Rugby News in Asia
- Read our Guide on the best International Asian rugby tournaments in 2020.
- Find out more about the Best International Rugby Tournaments 2020.
- Asia Rugby has a new CEO.
- HSBC 7s World Series tournaments postponed.
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