2023 Asia Rugby Women's Championship

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]

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
2022
2024

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

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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

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

Fixtures

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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   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

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

Bracket

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

References

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  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.