TIGERS UNITED

The wait is almost over. Asia’s best rugby sevens teams are ready to battle for supremacy when the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series , kicks off in Suzhou, China. And this year, the stakes are higher than ever. Twelve men’s teams and 12 women’s teams will go head-to-head in a tournament packed with speed, power, skill and drama. Every try matters. Every tackle counts. Every point could make the difference when the championship reaches its final round. Round One takes place in Suzhou on 29–30 August, before the action moves to Colombo, Sri Lanka, for the decisive second round on 17–18 October. There will also be fresh faces and new ambitions. India and Kazakhstan have earned promotion into the men’s Series, while Iran and Uzbekistan make their women’s Series debut after impressive performances at the Asia Rugby Sevens Trophy in Muscat. The established powerhouses, however, will be ready. Hong Kong enter as the defending men’s champions after winning the 2025 Series, with Japan fi...

The Philippines cemented their status as Southeast Asia 's rugby powerhouse after successfully defending the Union Cup with a commanding 39-18 victory over Malaysia in a thrilling final at Nonthaburi Provincial Stadium, Thailand. The triumph secured the Volcanoes ' second consecutive Union Cup title and extended their dominance in the region's premier 15s competition. However, the final was anything but straightforward. Malaysia , fielding a youthful squad packed with new faces, stunned the defending champions with an inspired first-half display. Playing with speed, determination and fearless ambition, the Bunga Raya matched the experienced Filipinos blow for blow as the teams headed into halftime locked at 15-15. The turning point came during the break. The Philippines team management made crucial tactical adjustments, while the players' experience began to shine. The defending champions returned with greater composure, dominated possession and territory, and took co...

Photo by The Papare The Hong Kong China rugby team broke Sri Lankan hearts with an 80th minute try to escape with a dramatic 15-14 victory in the Asia Rugby Championship at the Racecourse Ground in Colombo on Sunday. For a moment, history was within Sri Lanka ’s reach. The home side were only seconds away from recording their first ever victory over Hong Kong in the championship. But the defending champions showed incredible composure when it mattered most. The opening half was tense and physical. Sri Lanka defended bravely and frustrated Hong Kong throughout the half. The visitors could only manage a narrow 3-0 lead at halftime after Dylan McCann kicked a penalty. The match came alive after the break. Five minutes into the second half, Glenn Hui scored Hong Kong’s first try. McCann added the conversion to extend the lead to 10-0. Sri Lanka responded immediately. Just three minutes later, Viduna Amanath crossed the line to ignite the home crowd. Gamunu Chethiya converted brillian...

The SEA Women’s XVs Championship marks a powerful new chapter for women’s rugby in Southeast Asia, and Malaysia ensured their name will forever headline its opening story. In the final test match of the three-nation tournament, Malaysia delivered a breathtaking 78–0 victory over the Philippines to secure the inaugural 2026 title. It was not just a win; it was a statement. After being held to a 15–15 draw by Singapore six days earlier, and with Singapore defeating the Philippines 51–0, the title race remained wide open. Malaysia knew only a commanding performance would seal the crown. They responded with precision and purpose. Structured in defence, clinical in attack, and relentless in tempo, Malaysia stormed to a 38–0 halftime lead before completing the biggest victory in Malaysia women’s 15s rugby history. Maslina Ismail , Rozliana Ridwan , and Kajolin Jensen stood out with commanding displays. Singapore finished as deserving runners-up, while the Philippines placed third. The f...

Asia Rugby has unveiled its most ambitious Emirates Sevens calendar yet, promising an explosive season of speed, skill, and continental pride. In 2025, the top 12 men’s and women’s teams will battle it out across two major legs, with a golden ticket to the HSBC SVNS Division 3 on the line,  World Rugby ’s rebranded global sevens circuit. The action begins in Hangzhou, China on 20–21 September, then shifts to the rugby-mad streets of Colombo, Sri Lanka on 18–19 October. With more teams and higher stakes, this year’s series will be a true showcase of Asia’s growing sevens power. Beyond the elite level, the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Trophy expands the reach of the game with thrilling new stops in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia and Muscat, Oman, marking historic milestones for both nations. Meanwhile, the next generation takes the spotlight with U20s in India (August) and U18s in China (September). Asia Rugby President Qais Al Dhalai praised the calendar as a bold s...