PUBLISHED ON 05 JUL 2025

Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Championship 2025 – All Results

Friday 13 June: Sri Lanka 34-38 Korea (Colombo, Sri Lanka)
Saturday 14 June: United Arab Emirates 10-43 Hong Kong China (Dubai, UAE)
Saturday 21 June: Korea 36-38 UAE (Incheon, Korea)
Sunday 22 June: Hong Kong China 78-7 Sri Lanka (Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground, Hong Kong)
Friday 4 July: Sri Lanka 21-29 UAE (Colombo, Sri Lanka)
Saturday 5 July: Korea 22-70 Hong Kong China (Incheon, Korea)

Final Standings

Hong Kong China - 15 points
UAE – 10 points
Korea – 7 points
Sri Lanka – 2 points

History was made on Saturday 5 July at the Namdong Asiad Rugby Stadium as Hong Kong China secured their first-ever qualification for a Men’s Rugby World Cup, after beating Korea in sweltering mid-afternoon conditions in Incheon.

Men’s XVs Head Coach Andrew Douglas said, “It's been a massive campaign and a lot of emotion for all of us. I had my family here this week with me, and you could see the support in the stands, too. It got a little bit emotional for all of us, and that came out of us at the final whistle.

“We didn't want to change too much coming into this and try and squeeze them, and we started well. We had to adjust with the red card and the injuries at the end, as we finished with 14 players. We tried to slow it down and play in the right parts of the game, and not do anything silly, and we managed parts of that well.”

Winning captain, with two tries in the game, Josh Hrstich said, “It is pretty overwhelming, and I am super proud of our group, our management and coaches and everyone involved. I want to thank the families and fans, as there are a lot of sacrifices made and we are so grateful to everyone.

“We have high expectations for ourselves, and we know Korea would put up a good fight and they had a purple patch in there.”

Following Sri Lanka’s defeat to the UAE on Friday, the tournament newcomers came bottom and will need to compete in an Asia Rugby Emirates Playoff Match to remain in the Championship in 2026 (with the opposition and further details TBC).

The bonus point win for the UAE saw them climb to 10 points, which, combined with Korea’s defeat on Saturday, gives them a chance to reach RWC 2027 via a repechage route – an Asia/Africa Play-Off against the second-best team in the Rugby Africa Men’s Cup 2025 (date TBD) and, if successful, a Final Qualification Tournament in Dubai in November.

Match Report – First Half

No matter what form the first points would come in, Hong Kong China surpassed 1,000 points against their closest opponents in Asia over recent years, and it was try-machine Matt Worley who scored them via a great try to open the account for the visitors, which was converted by Nate De Thierry. It was the first of six tries the side ran in during the first half, with the flyhalf kicking sweetly and converting them all.

Hong Kong China has already scored 18 tries in this championship before this game, with the dominant forwards claiming 9 and the 8 by the backs, with one penalty try, while Korea has scored 10 in their win over Sri Lanka and loss to the UAE at the same venue in the second round.

Korea slotted their own points in the half in the 9th minute through a penalty, but it was a dominant showing from Asia Rugby’s defending champions as they steamrolled the Koreans with the pack, winning multiple set-piece penalties. They also stole plenty of Korean lineout ball, with Patrick Jenkinson immense in poaching.

Korea conceded a yellow card in the first half after a warning from the referee. There were further tries from Alex Post from a lineout maul (twice), captain Josh Hrstich, Paul Altier and James Sawyer for a 42-4 lead at the break.

An injury to Callum McCullough saw Pierce Mackinlay-West come on in the opening half, and there was an unfortunate red card to Ben Axten-Burrett for head-to-head contact in the 37th minute (World Rugby's recently introduced rule for a red card means that a new player is able to come on 20 minutes after the infringement).

Match Report – Second Half

Harry Sayers ran the first points in the 45th minute under the posts to extend the lead 49-3 as Hong Kong China kept up the pressure and momentum despite being a player down.

There was a disallowed try from Tommy Hill, and substitutions were made before Hrstich scored his second as the side tried to chase down last year's record win over Korea with a 67-7 scoreline.

However, as the game opened up, all credit is due to the hosts as they scored twice thanks to their lively left wing and one more to their replacement hooker.

By the time the side returned to the full complement of 15 following the 20-minute red card, Max Denmark notched up an excellent solo effort to make and another late yellow card to Korea, allowed Luke Van Der Smit to have the final say on the scoreboard with the tenth try – all converted for a 70-22 win.

Nate De Thierry was awarded Player of the Match, slotting 9/9 conversions. He said after the whistle, “I am lost for words. We prepared well and trusted the process the coaches put in front of us. We had a great start to the game, and it got a bit scrappy in the second half. This one means a lot to me and everyone involved.”

One of the more experienced heads in the squad is Tommy Hill, who has been immense across the championship at centre. “I have had to work hard. I am 35 years old, and I have had to work really hard for this, and I am really proud of the fact that I could stick with it. That game was tough, it was hot out there, and it was physical. But I am really proud of what we have done.”