Rugby in Asia: A Rising Star

When it comes to sports in Asia, cricket, badminton, or martial arts might jump to mind. However, in recent years, rugby has been gaining significant traction and rapidly growing in popularity. Let’s delve into why rugby is capturing the Asian heart and explore the significance of the Asian Rugby Championship.

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The Surge Of Rugby In Asia

• Global Exposure: The inclusion of rugby in the Olympics in 2016 and the hosting of the Rugby World Cup in Japan in 2019 have significantly elevated the sport’s profile in Asia. These major events have showcased the excitement and energy of rugby to billions.
• Development Initiatives: Organisations like World Rugby and Asia Rugby have made substantial efforts to promote the sport across the continent. Grassroots programs have been introduced, targeting schools and local communities, laying the foundation for future talent.
• Cultural Appeal: Rugby values such as discipline, respect, and teamwork resonate deeply with Asian cultures. The sport’s blend of strategy, physical fitness, and camaraderie seems to align well with Asia’s societal values.

Asian Rugby Championship: An Overview

The Asian Rugby Championship (ARC) serves as the pinnacle of men’s rugby union in Asia. This contest determines the best in the continent and, in many ways, has been instrumental in the sport’s rising popularity.

What is it?

The ARC is a yearly rugby competition involving the top national teams from Asia. The teams contest a number of divisions, with promotion and relegation between each (in theory). The top division, often simply referred to as the ARC, is the one most fans are familiar with and consists of the elite national teams.

Foundation and History

The ARC traces its origins back to the 1960s. Originally known as the Asian Rugby Football Tournament, it was first held in 1969. As rugby began to gain more attention and the number of participating countries increased, there was a need to restructure and rebrand. This evolution led to what we now know as the Asian Rugby Championship.

How it Unfolds

In its current format, the teams in the top division of the ARC compete in a double round-robin setup although there have been variants of this format over recent years.

Each team plays the others at home and away, with points awarded for wins, draws, and certain in-game achievements like scoring a set number of tries (4 tries for a bonus point for example). At the end of the tournament, the nation with the highest points tally is crowned the champion. 

The team finishing last faces relegation to a lower division, while the top team from the division below should earn promotion, ensuring fresh competition and dynamism every year.

In 2023 Hong Kong China Rugby again claimed the ARC title, beating South Korea and Malaysia. The UAE won the ARC Division 2 playoff and should join the top tier of ARC in 2024 (image below).

Image Credit: Asia Rugby

The Impact of the ARC 

• Talent Discovery: The ARC has been a breeding ground for discovering new talents. Many players have used this platform to showcase their skills, some eventually earning spots in major global leagues and in their own nations’ Rugby World Cup qualifying squads.
• Rivalries and Fan Engagement: Just as the Ashes define cricket for England and Australia or the El Clásico captures the essence of Spanish football, the ARC has birthed riveting rivalries. South Korea vs Hong Kong,  or Hong Kong vs. Malaysia are fixtures that pull in interest and crowds, creating a vibrant atmosphere reminiscent of Europe’s rugby cathedrals.
• Development and Investment: The success and visibility of the ARC have prompted nations to invest more in their rugby infrastructure and the prized goal of trying to reach the Rugby World Cup as the winner of the ARC represents Asia on the qualifying pathway.
• Cultural Exchange: Rugby, by its very nature, fosters camaraderie. The ARC, bringing together diverse nations, has facilitated cultural exchange and understanding. Post-match rituals, where teams share meals and stories, have become as much a highlight as the games themselves.

In Conclusion

The rise of rugby in Asia is a testament to the sport’s universal appeal and the concerted efforts of organisations and nations to nurture it. 

The Asian Rugby Championship, with its rich history and intense competition, stands as a beacon in the men’s regional game, illuminating the path for the next generation of Asian rugby stars. As the sport continues to grow in stature and popularity, Asia will look to emerge as a growing rugby region and aim to be competitive on the global stage, and the author of a new chapter in the sport’s legacy.

This is an invited post not written by Rugby Asia 247.