2011 Rugby World Cup – Asia qualification

Asia's world cup qualifiers will be centred on its flagship tournament, the Asian Five Nations. The winner of the 2010 tournament will qualify, but to give all teams a chance of qualification the 2008 and 2009 seasons will also be part of the qualification process. In total, 13 teams participated in the qualifying tournament, as in 2007, with 12 of the teams being the same (Guam competed in 2007, but were replaced by Pakistan in the 2011 qualification process).

Round 1

Due to the nature of the qualifying process, 2008 was the only year that a Division Two nation could continue in the process to qualify for 2011 Rugby World Cup. Since the winner of the 2010 Asian Five Nations will be Asia's representative, there would not be enough time for any team competing in or below Division Two after 2008 to reach the top division in time, rendering them effectively eliminated. The tournament was played in June 2008 in Bangkok, Thailand and was won by the hosts who were promoted, thus continuing their qualification hopes. The last place team from Division One was to face relegation to Division Two for 2009, effectively eliminating them from qualification as well. China was unable to compete in Division One due to visa complications and they were relegated to Division Two, last placed Sri Lanka stayed up.

 
Semi-finalsFinal
 
      
 
June 11, 2008
 
 
 Malaysia30
 
June 14, 2008
 
 Pakistan5
 
 Malaysia7
 
June 11, 2008
 
 Thailand30
 
 Thailand30
 
 
 India22
 
3rd-Place final
 
 
June 14, 2008
 
 
 Pakistan0
 
 
 India92

Round 2

Due to the nature of the qualifying process, 2009 was the last chance that a Division One nation could continue in the process to qualify for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Since the winner of the 2010 Asian Five Nations will be Asia's representative, any team competing in Division One after 2009 will be effectively eliminated. The last place team from the 2009 Asian Five Nations Top Five, Singapore, was relegated to Division One, eliminating them from qualification. The Arabian Gulf team won the 2009 Division One tournament on April 11 to earn promotion to the 2010 Asian Five Nations Top Five and remain in contention for qualification to the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

 
Semi-finalsFinal
 
      
 
April 8, 2009
 
 
 Chinese Taipei36
 
April 11, 2009
 
 Sri Lanka24
 
Arabian Gulf44
 
April 8, 2009
 
 Chinese Taipei24
 
Arabian Gulf36
 
 
 Thailand17
 
3rd-Place final
 
 
April 11, 2009
 
 
 Sri Lanka51
 
 
 Thailand17

Round 3

The winner of this tournament, Japan, qualified for the Pool A of the 2011 Rugby World Cup, where they faced New Zealand, France, Tonga, and Canada. Kazakhstan, the runner up advanced to the semifinal of the 20th Place Playoff to face Uruguay.

Position Nation Games Points Table points
Played Won Drawn Lost For Against Difference Tries Bonus Points Points
1 Japan 440032630+29650424
2 Kazakhstan 420294173–769313
3 Hong Kong 420265133–687212
4 Arabian Gulf 420270128–617010
5 South Korea 400465156–91933

Fixtures

Home Score (Tries) Away Match Information
Date Venue
Hong Kong  32–8 (4–1)  South Korea 24-Apr-2010 Hong Kong FC Stadium, Hong Kong
Kazakhstan  43–28 (4–3) Arabian Gulf 24-Apr-2010 National University Stadium, Almaty
Arabian Gulf 16–9 (1–0)  Hong Kong 30-Apr-2010 Bahrain Sports Club, Manama, Bahrain
South Korea  13–71 (1–11)  Japan 1-May-2010 Gyeongsang Rugby Stadium, Daegu
Japan  60–5 (10–1) Arabian Gulf 8-May-2010 Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, Tokyo
Hong Kong  19–15 (2–0)  Kazakhstan 8-May-2010 Hong Kong FC Stadium, Hong Kong
Arabian Gulf 21–19 (2–3)  South Korea 14-May-2010 The Sevens, Dubai, UAE
Kazakhstan  7–101 (1–15)  Japan 15-May-2010 Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, Tokyo
Japan  94–5 (14–1)  Hong Kong 22-May-2010 Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, Tokyo
South Korea  25–32 (4–4)  Kazakhstan 22-May-2010 Incheon Munhak Stadium, Incheon
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