South Korea win Asia Development 7s

India - unlucky to miss out on a first major final

With Sri Lanka’s absence, the competition for what was in effect the continental second division title was always going to be between hosts India, South Korea and Guam. For Indonesia and Nepal this would be a very new experience – Nepal are so new to the game that they are not yet members of World Rugby, while Indonesia have barely enough registered adult players to form a national squad.

As a result most pool games were one-sided affairs, with Indonesia failing to score in any of their games while all of Nepal’s 20 points came in their win over Indonesia that rounded off the opening day.

The crucial games of the pool phase were those involving the top teams, one of whom would have to miss out on the final. With India losing 26-0 to South Korea and drawing 12-12 with Guam on day one the make-up of the final would be decided on day two when South Korea met the Guam.

India were relying on a big South Korean win, and did everything they could to build up their points difference with a massive 71-0 win over Indonesia – but Guam destroyed their hopes with a 26-10 win over the Koreans, topping the pool.

India completed a regulation 39-0 win over Nepal to take third, before the final which came down to a penalty try awarded to South Korea as they reversed the pool result, winning 24-19.

The winner of this tournament was supposed to qualify for the senior Asian Championship, to be competed for over three game series in September and October, but with Sri Lanka’s enforced absence the ARU may have to reconsider this. Quite what their final decision will be remains to be seen.

Results:

Day One: India 36-0 Nepal; South Korea 53-0 Indonesia; Guam 32-0 Nepal; South Korea 26-0 India; Guam 12-12 India; Indonesia 0-20 Nepal

Day two: South Korea 39-0 Nepal; Guam 62-0 Indonesia; India 71-0 Indonesia; Guam 26-10 South Korea.

3rd/4th: India 39-0 NepalFinal: Guam 19-24 South Korea