(RUGBY WORLD CUP) Saturday 14 July 2012 Thailand players celebrate victory over India – Photo: Kenji Demura (RJP) By Matt Oakley in Bangkok Under a blazing Bangkok sun at the Thephasadin Stadium on Saturday, Thailand overcame India 42-29 in the play-off to gain promotion to Division 1 of the HSBC Asian 5 Nations next year and also keep their RWC 2015 dream alive.
Singapore
(RUGBY WORLD CUP) Friday 13 July 2012 Thailand battled past Malaysia to win Division II in Kuala Lumpur The road to Rugby World Cup 2015 continues in Asia this weekend when Thailand and India come face to face in a play-off to determine who will be promoted to Division I of the HSBC Asian 5 Nations and keep their qualification dream alive. Thailand are slight favourites going into the match at the Thephasadin Stadium in their capital Bangkok, having beaten Malaysia at the beginning of June to win Division II and earn a meeting with India, the Division III champions
(RUGBYWORLDCUP.COM) Saturday 21 April 2012 Justin Coveney celebrates his match-winning try against Sri Lanka The Philippines continued their march up the Asian rugby ladder in Manila on Saturday, beating Sri Lanka 28-18 to propel themselves into the HSBC Asian 5 Nations Top 5 in 2013 alongside the likes of Japan and Hong Kong. They will become the eighth team to play in the Top 5 since the tournament began in 2008, a year which saw the Philippines playing at the bottom of the A5N pyramid. Ten wins in 11 matches later, the Philippines have reached the top echelon.
(RUGBYWORLDCUP.COM) Wednesday 18 April 2012 Rizah Mubarak was among Sri Lanka’s try scorers against Singapore Sri Lanka and the Philippines set up a showdown for promotion to the HSBC Asian 5 Nations Top 5 competition in 2013 after winning their second round matches at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila on Wednesday. Division 1 top seeds Sri Lanka and the Philippines, the third seeds, will come face to face on Saturday with the winner to join the likes of Japan, Hong Kong and Kazakhstan in the elite tier next year. While unbeaten Sri Lanka and the Philippines are targeting promotion, for Singapore and Chinese Taipei the battle is to avoid relegation to Division II and the end of their involvement in the region’s qualifying process for Rugby World Cup 2015
(RUGBYWORLDCUP.COM) Sunday 15 April 2012 Young Filipino Rugby fans show their excitement at seeing the Webb Ellis Cup in Manila -Philippines beat Singapore 37-20 in HSBC Asian Five Nations Division 1 -Sri Lanka defeat Chinese Taipei 36-8 in the day’s other match -Webb Ellis Cup a big hit with local supporters The Philippines bandwagon rumbles on. And it’s still gaining momentum. Having been all over Asia winning the lower divisions of the HSBC Asian Five Nations, they finally came home to Manila and immediately gave their Rugby-hungry supporters something to cheer about
(RUGBYWORLDCUP.COM) Saturday 14 April 2012 IRB Regional General Manager Asia Jarrad Gallagher (left) and Philippines players with the Webb Ellis Cup ahead of the Region’s first qualifying tournament for RWC 2015 in Manila Sri Lanka, Philippines, Singapore, Chinese Taipei begin the process in Manila Volcanoes highlight the success of the RWC pathway for all teams Webb Ellis Cup on display in Manila To cries of “Sige na!” the Philippines will take the field at Rizal Memorial Stadium on Sunday night ready to take this fledgling Rugby nation to the next level. Nothing less than victory against Singapore will satisfy the home support or this ambitious and talented team
(Other) Friday 13 April 2012 Philippines captain Michael Letts finds a way through the Korean defence in their 2011 HSBC Asian 5 Nations Division I encounter in Ansan.
(RUGBYWORLDCUP.COM) Thursday 12 April 2012 Four teams battle for place in next round Asian rugby on the rise Webb Ellis Cup on show in Manila on 15 April The road to Rugby World Cup 2015 in England continues this weekend with Manila providing the backdrop for the the beginning of the Asia qualification process that will deliver at least one team from the region to Rugby’s showcase event. Sri Lanka, Singapore, Chinese Taipei and hosts the Philippines will participate in the HSBC Asian Five Nations Division 1 tournament from April 15-21 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila with the winner being promoted to the HSBC Asian Five Nations proper next year. More importantly, however, that team will still be in the mix for a place at Rugby World Cup 2015. There is one direct qualifier place available via the Asia process with the winner of the 2014 HSBC Asian Five Nations progressing to Rugby World Cup 2015