TIGERS UNITED

The opening chapter of the Asia Rugby Sevens Series 2026, powered by Emirates, delivered everything fans could ask for, speed, drama, comebacks and unforgettable finishes. With 12 men’s and 12 women’s teams battling across two action-packed days in Suzhou, China, the continent’s finest sevens players produced a spectacular start to the championship. In the women’s competition, defending champions Japan showed why they remain the team to beat. China stunned Japan by scoring first in the Cup Final, but the champions responded with composure and quality. Yume Hirano levelled the score before Mei Ohtani , Seika Ohashi and Wakana Akita completed a 24-7 victory. Japan collected 20 points to lead the standings, with China second on 18 and Thailand third on 16. Thailand produced one of the weekend’s biggest comebacks, recovering from 12-0 down against Hong Kong to force golden-point extra time before winning 17-12. The men’s competition was equally explosive. Defending champions Hong...

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...

Hong Kong China  once again stamped their authority on Asian rugby, securing a remarkable seventh consecutive Asia Rugby Emirates Championship title with a commanding 45–9 win over Korea  in Game 2 of the 2026 campaign. After surviving a dramatic 15–14 escape against Sri Lanka in Colombo last week, Hong Kong returned home to the Hong Kong Football Club with a clear mission, finish the job in style. They did exactly that, producing a composed, clinical, and ruthless performance to seal the championship with one match still to play. The first half was competitive, with Korea refusing to back down. Hong Kong led 12–9 at the break, with tries from Sunia Fameitau and Charles Higson-Smith , supported by a conversion from Dylan McCann . Korea stayed in touch through three well-taken penalties, keeping the contest alive. However, the second half belonged entirely to the champions. Hong Kong exploded into life with wave after wave of attacking pressure. Tries from Brendon Nell , Jac...

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...