New Asia Rugby Championship 2022 Dates Means HKRU Reverse Decision to Withdraw

Asia Rugby has come to an agreement on new dates with Malaysia, South Korea, and Hong Kong for the Asia Rugby Championship 2022 which has resulted in a u-turn from the HKRUs decision to withdraw from the tournament. Now all three nations will have a chance to potentially qualify for the Rugby World Cup 2023.

(Feature Photo Credit: FxRsports: Football & Rugby News)

In early April 2022, the HKRU (Hong Kong Rugby Union) announced it had withdrawn from the Asia Rugby Championship 2022, and therefore, from the qualification process for Rugby World Cup 2023. The reasons were mainly due to player safety due to the timing of the original schedule of the tournament.

“For us, it was and will always be paramount to protect the integrity of our fifteens tournaments, the Asia Rugby Championship that acts as the pinnacle of the Regional Association calendar, especially in a year that offers a pathway to the Rugby World Cup 2023,” said Asia Rugby President Qais Al Dhalai.

RWC 2023 Asian Qualification – Asia Rugby Championship 2022

Asia Rugby confirmed the new schedule would see the first game of the tournament be played on 4 June 2022 between Korea and Malaysia in Incheon, Korea.

If Korea wins, they will play Hong Kong in Incheon, Korea on 8 July 2022 – but If Malaysia wins, they will play Hong Kong on 9 July 2022 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

• Korea vs Malaysia – 4 June 2022 (Incheon, Korea)
• If Korea win the 4 June Match – Korea vs Hong Kong – 8 July 2022 (Incheon, Korea)
• If Malaysia win the 4 June Match – Malaysia vs Hong Kong – 9 July 2022 (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

The winner of the final match in July will play Tonga in Nuku’alofa on 23 July 2022 to qualify for Rugby World Cup 2023 directly.