{ "version": "https://jsonfeed.org/version/1.1", "user_comment": "This feed allows you to read the posts from this site in any feed reader that supports the JSON Feed format. To add this feed to your reader, copy the following URL -- https://www.asiarugby.com/category/world-rugby/feed/json/ -- and add it your reader.", "next_url": "https://www.asiarugby.com/category/world-rugby/feed/json/?paged=2", "home_page_url": "https://www.asiarugby.com/category/world-rugby/", "feed_url": "https://www.asiarugby.com/category/world-rugby/feed/json/", "language": "en-US", "title": "World Rugby Archives - Asia Rugby", "description": "Regional Association of the Governing Body for the Global Game", "items": [ { "id": "https://www.asiarugby.com/?p=9292", "url": "https://www.asiarugby.com/2023/02/24/hsbc-los-angeles-sevens-ready-for-action/", "title": "HSBC Los Angeles Sevens ready for action", "content_html": "

The 16 captains gathered on Thursday ahead of the highly anticipated HSBC Los Angeles Sevens on 25-26 February, which sees the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series return to Dignity Health Sports Park for the second time in less than six months.

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For the second time in less than six months, the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series returns to Los Angeles this weekend with a two-day event from 25-26 February as the race for Series glory and the all-important Olympic qualification heats up.

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The 16 men\u2019s team captains who will do battle for the highly coveted HSBC Los Angeles Sevens crown gathered outside Dignity Sports Health Park on Thursday afternoon alongside participants from HSBC\u2019s World of Opportunity Programme.

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Related Link:\u00a0Back to Full Schedule, Enthralling Year of Rugby in the Offering: Asia Rugby Releases 2023 Calendar

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The 2023 Series is shaping up to be the most competitive in history with the prize of Olympic Games Paris 2024 qualification on offer for the top four women\u2019s and men\u2019s teams in the 2023 Series standings, while hosts France have pre-qualified for next year’s pinnacle event in the nation\u2019s capital.

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The Men\u2019s Series has seen nine different teams reach the Cup Semi-Final stage, with all nine nations medaling across the first five tournaments. There have been five different gold medal winners (Australia, Samoa, South Africa, Argentina and New Zealand), four different silver medalists (Fiji, South Africa, Ireland and New Zealand twice) and four bronze medalists (France, New Zealand, Fiji and USA twice).

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New Zealand currently sit atop the Series standings with 85 points, followed by South Africa at 76 points and five nations (Samoa, France, Fiji, Argentina and USA) are separated by just two points between 68 and 66 in the race for the final two spots for Paris 2024.

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VIEW SERIES STANDINGS >>

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The USA will look to use their home field advantage and passionate fans as an added boost when they continue their quest of qualifying for Paris 2024 next year. The Americans have tasted victory twice in front of their home supporters, having won back-to-back cup titles in 2018 and 2019 in Las Vegas before the event moved back to California.

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Currently in seventh place on the Series standings, the Eagles have won two bronze medals this year in Cape Town and Hamilton and sit just two points back of a tie for third place in the race for qualification.

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USA men\u2019s captain Kevon Williams said: \u201cThe season is at stake this weekend. We\u2019re three points behind third place with the top four qualifying for Paris so this weekend is a real big weekend for us as far as staying in contention for qualifying for the Olympics.

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\u201cWe\u2019ve been known in the history that this tournament is our best tournament. Whether it\u2019s been in Las Vegas or Los Angeles we\u2019ve always played well at home. The USA has three cup wins and two of them are on home soil so we play big when it comes here.\u201d

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The men\u2019s pool draw for Los Angeles sees Sydney champions New Zealand take their place in Pool A alongside Cape Town champions Samoa, hosts USA and invitational team Chile.

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New Zealand men\u2019s captain Sam Dickson said: \u201cWe know how fast the points situation can change. We started in ninth after Hong Kong so we\u2019ve done well to bounce back and get out front but with six tournaments left anything can happen so we\u2019ll be giving it our best this weekend to stay on top.\u201d

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Dubai champions South Africa slot into Pool B alongside Ireland, Uruguay and Canada.

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Sydney bronze medal winners Fiji lead Pool C and will face off against Hong Kong champions Australia, Kenya and Japan.

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France, who currently sit fourth in the Series standings, are joined by Great Britain, Hamilton champions Argentina and Spain in Pool D.

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The stakes couldn\u2019t be higher at the bottom end of the men\u2019s Series this season as well. Following the penultimate event in Toulouse, the 15th ranked team will be relegated to the 2024 Sevens Challenger Series while the 12th through 14th ranked teams will face off against the Sevens Challenger Series 2023 winner for the 12th and final position on the 2024 Series.

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Canada captain Phil Berna said: \u201cOne good tournament is all you need to get some momentum going and we\u2019ve been telling ourselves not to stress too much about the end of the season so we\u2019ll take it one game and one tournament at a time. We have a job to do here this weekend and we know the better we do this weekend the better position we put ourselves in Vancouver at our home tournament so our focus is on LA.\u201d

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VIEW POOLS AND FIXTURES >>

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The action gets under way on Saturday at 09:15 local time (GMT-8) when Great Britain takes on Argentina and the final match of day one kicks off at 19:03 with South Africa facing off against Ireland.

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Play begins on finals day on Sunday at 08:55 with the 9th\u00a0place quarter-finals and the gold medal final scheduled for 17:28.

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Rugby sevens fans around the world can watch the action via live stream on World Rugby digital platforms including\u00a0www.world.rugby, You Tube and Facebook in countries where there is no national broadcaster covering the event.

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WHERE TO WATCH >>

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As part of the captains\u2019 photo, the captains were interviewed by participants from HSBC\u2019s World of Opportunity Programme, a global initiative from HSBC that gives young people with an interest in working in sport the opportunity to get invaluable insight into sporting careers that lie beyond the field.

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The young adults taking part in the programme are all from the LA area and were sourced in partnership with the Todd Clever Foundation. HSBC ambassador and former USA Rugby Sevens international Todd Clever supports communities across America by providing opportunities for athletes, coaches, and teams while instilling the values of the sport. The participants took part in a series of sessions hosted by Clever, HSBC ambassador and USA Rugby Sevens international Abby Gustaitis and World Rugby.

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As part of the partnership with the Todd Clever Foundation, there will also be a Donation Wall at the Dignity Health Sports Park, where kit, funds and equipment will be donated towards supporting local rugby clubs and organizations.

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Los Angeles will host the 2028 Olympic Games, which will see rugby sevens\u2019 fourth appearance at the Games since the sport\u2019s debut at the Rio 2016 Games.

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The post HSBC Los Angeles Sevens ready for action appeared first on Asia Rugby.

\n", "content_text": "The 16 captains gathered on Thursday ahead of the highly anticipated HSBC Los Angeles Sevens on 25-26 February, which sees the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series return to Dignity Health Sports Park for the second time in less than six months.\nFor the second time in less than six months, the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series returns to Los Angeles this weekend with a two-day event from 25-26 February as the race for Series glory and the all-important Olympic qualification heats up.\nThe 16 men\u2019s team captains who will do battle for the highly coveted HSBC Los Angeles Sevens crown gathered outside Dignity Sports Health Park on Thursday afternoon alongside participants from HSBC\u2019s World of Opportunity Programme.\nRelated Link:\u00a0Back to Full Schedule, Enthralling Year of Rugby in the Offering: Asia Rugby Releases 2023 Calendar\nThe 2023 Series is shaping up to be the most competitive in history with the prize of Olympic Games Paris 2024 qualification on offer for the top four women\u2019s and men\u2019s teams in the 2023 Series standings, while hosts France have pre-qualified for next year’s pinnacle event in the nation\u2019s capital.\nThe Men\u2019s Series has seen nine different teams reach the Cup Semi-Final stage, with all nine nations medaling across the first five tournaments. There have been five different gold medal winners (Australia, Samoa, South Africa, Argentina and New Zealand), four different silver medalists (Fiji, South Africa, Ireland and New Zealand twice) and four bronze medalists (France, New Zealand, Fiji and USA twice).\nNew Zealand currently sit atop the Series standings with 85 points, followed by South Africa at 76 points and five nations (Samoa, France, Fiji, Argentina and USA) are separated by just two points between 68 and 66 in the race for the final two spots for Paris 2024.\nVIEW SERIES STANDINGS >>\nThe USA will look to use their home field advantage and passionate fans as an added boost when they continue their quest of qualifying for Paris 2024 next year. The Americans have tasted victory twice in front of their home supporters, having won back-to-back cup titles in 2018 and 2019 in Las Vegas before the event moved back to California.\nCurrently in seventh place on the Series standings, the Eagles have won two bronze medals this year in Cape Town and Hamilton and sit just two points back of a tie for third place in the race for qualification.\nUSA men\u2019s captain Kevon Williams said: \u201cThe season is at stake this weekend. We\u2019re three points behind third place with the top four qualifying for Paris so this weekend is a real big weekend for us as far as staying in contention for qualifying for the Olympics.\n\u201cWe\u2019ve been known in the history that this tournament is our best tournament. Whether it\u2019s been in Las Vegas or Los Angeles we\u2019ve always played well at home. The USA has three cup wins and two of them are on home soil so we play big when it comes here.\u201d\nThe men\u2019s pool draw for Los Angeles sees Sydney champions New Zealand take their place in Pool A alongside Cape Town champions Samoa, hosts USA and invitational team Chile.\nNew Zealand men\u2019s captain Sam Dickson said: \u201cWe know how fast the points situation can change. We started in ninth after Hong Kong so we\u2019ve done well to bounce back and get out front but with six tournaments left anything can happen so we\u2019ll be giving it our best this weekend to stay on top.\u201d\nDubai champions South Africa slot into Pool B alongside Ireland, Uruguay and Canada.\nSydney bronze medal winners Fiji lead Pool C and will face off against Hong Kong champions Australia, Kenya and Japan.\nFrance, who currently sit fourth in the Series standings, are joined by Great Britain, Hamilton champions Argentina and Spain in Pool D.\nThe stakes couldn\u2019t be higher at the bottom end of the men\u2019s Series this season as well. Following the penultimate event in Toulouse, the 15th ranked team will be relegated to the 2024 Sevens Challenger Series while the 12th through 14th ranked teams will face off against the Sevens Challenger Series 2023 winner for the 12th and final position on the 2024 Series.\nCanada captain Phil Berna said: \u201cOne good tournament is all you need to get some momentum going and we\u2019ve been telling ourselves not to stress too much about the end of the season so we\u2019ll take it one game and one tournament at a time. We have a job to do here this weekend and we know the better we do this weekend the better position we put ourselves in Vancouver at our home tournament so our focus is on LA.\u201d\nVIEW POOLS AND FIXTURES >>\nThe action gets under way on Saturday at 09:15 local time (GMT-8) when Great Britain takes on Argentina and the final match of day one kicks off at 19:03 with South Africa facing off against Ireland.\nPlay begins on finals day on Sunday at 08:55 with the 9th\u00a0place quarter-finals and the gold medal final scheduled for 17:28.\nRugby sevens fans around the world can watch the action via live stream on World Rugby digital platforms including\u00a0www.world.rugby, You Tube and Facebook in countries where there is no national broadcaster covering the event.\nWHERE TO WATCH >>\nAs part of the captains\u2019 photo, the captains were interviewed by participants from HSBC\u2019s World of Opportunity Programme, a global initiative from HSBC that gives young people with an interest in working in sport the opportunity to get invaluable insight into sporting careers that lie beyond the field.\nThe young adults taking part in the programme are all from the LA area and were sourced in partnership with the Todd Clever Foundation. HSBC ambassador and former USA Rugby Sevens international Todd Clever supports communities across America by providing opportunities for athletes, coaches, and teams while instilling the values of the sport. The participants took part in a series of sessions hosted by Clever, HSBC ambassador and USA Rugby Sevens international Abby Gustaitis and World Rugby.\nAs part of the partnership with the Todd Clever Foundation, there will also be a Donation Wall at the Dignity Health Sports Park, where kit, funds and equipment will be donated towards supporting local rugby clubs and organizations.\nLos Angeles will host the 2028 Olympic Games, which will see rugby sevens\u2019 fourth appearance at the Games since the sport\u2019s debut at the Rio 2016 Games.\nThe post HSBC Los Angeles Sevens ready for action appeared first on Asia Rugby.", "date_published": "2023-02-24T14:04:53+08:00", "date_modified": "2023-02-24T14:04:53+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Asia Rugby", "url": "https://www.asiarugby.com/author/k-haroon/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ea791d807df550e52d2e6508886912b7?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "Asia Rugby", "url": "https://www.asiarugby.com/author/k-haroon/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ea791d807df550e52d2e6508886912b7?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.asiarugby.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/05I2263-e1677217917121.webp", "tags": [ "Japan", "Featured", "World Rugby" ] }, { "id": "https://www.asiarugby.com/?p=9172", "url": "https://www.asiarugby.com/2022/12/15/end-of-year-council-meeting-2022/", "title": "Asia Rugby voted in Qais Al Dhalai as World Rugby Council Member at an Extraordinary General Meeting", "content_html": "

– Terence Khoo appointed as Asia Rugby Deputy President
\n– Brand new Asia Rugby Grand League to see lights in quarter one 2024
\n– Asian Games 2022 (postponed to 2023) will feature the Rugby Sevens event confirmed during the period 24th to 26th September 2022
\n-Olympic Qualification Tournament to be held as a stand-alone event in 2023

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Asia Rugby concluded successfully its End of Year Council Meeting with 35 member unions and over 60 delegates attending virtually.

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\"Council
Asia Rugby President Qais Al Dhalai
\n

With 95% of eligible votes, Asia Rugby voted to appoint President Qais Al Dhalai as World Rugby Council Member at its Extraordinary General Meeting held on 12th December 2022 seeing Al Dhalai taking dual roles as Asia Rugby President together with World Rugby Council Member.

\n

Furthermore, Asia Rugby passed special resolution to create a new position of Deputy President and voted in Mr. Terence Khoo to fill in the new position until the remainder of the current term that runs until the end of year 2024.

\n
\"Asia
Asia Rugby Deputy President Terence Khoo
\n

 

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Council was briefed on the brand new Asia Rugby Grand League, a clubs franchise-oriented competition planned to see lights during quarter one and two in the year 2024. Eight targeted national federations have been identified and will commence constructive collaboration during the first working group meeting scheduled for Friday 3rd February 2023 in Singapore. The concept will be rolled out on phases running from the year 2024 to 2027.

\n

\"\"

\n

Asia Rugby revamped sevens and fifteen competitions structures have been approved by Council during its mid-year meeting in Kyrgyzstan on 4th July 2022.

\n

Council was briefed on the latest details of Asian Games 2022 including the importance of every national federation to coordinate with its relevant National Olympic Committee to ensure compliance to the below timelines:

\n

– Entry by Sport: 20/2/2023 at 24:00 (Beijing Time, GMT +8)
\n– Entry by Number: 15/3/2023 at 24:00 (Beijing Time, GMT +8)
\n– Entry by Name: 15/6/2023 at 24:00 (Beijing Time, GMT +8)

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The initial allocated slots for Rugby Sevens are 12 teams men and 12 teams women, however, Asia Rugby is in continuous engagement with the Organizing Committee to increase the slots to 16 teams men and 16 teams women.

\n

\"\"

\n

Asia Rugby and World Rugby agreed that the Olympic Qualification Tournament should be held as a stand-alone event in 2023. Further ongoing\u00a0 discussion\u00a0 on the format of the\u00a0 tournament and the number of teams to participate,

\n

During the most recent Council meeting, National federations were briefed on the ongoing intensive talks and cooperation between Asia Rugby and World Rugby that have been established and continuing for the foreseeable future to ensure a successful commencement of the revamped competitions from January 2024 onwards.

\n

 

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The post Asia Rugby voted in Qais Al Dhalai as World Rugby Council Member at an Extraordinary General Meeting appeared first on Asia Rugby.

\n", "content_text": "– Terence Khoo appointed as Asia Rugby Deputy President\n– Brand new Asia Rugby Grand League to see lights in quarter one 2024\n– Asian Games 2022 (postponed to 2023) will feature the Rugby Sevens event confirmed during the period 24th to 26th September 2022\n-Olympic Qualification Tournament to be held as a stand-alone event in 2023\nAsia Rugby concluded successfully its End of Year Council Meeting with 35 member unions and over 60 delegates attending virtually.\nAsia Rugby President Qais Al Dhalai\nWith 95% of eligible votes, Asia Rugby voted to appoint President Qais Al Dhalai as World Rugby Council Member at its Extraordinary General Meeting held on 12th December 2022 seeing Al Dhalai taking dual roles as Asia Rugby President together with World Rugby Council Member.\nFurthermore, Asia Rugby passed special resolution to create a new position of Deputy President and voted in Mr. Terence Khoo to fill in the new position until the remainder of the current term that runs until the end of year 2024.\nAsia Rugby Deputy President Terence Khoo\n \nCouncil was briefed on the brand new Asia Rugby Grand League, a clubs franchise-oriented competition planned to see lights during quarter one and two in the year 2024. Eight targeted national federations have been identified and will commence constructive collaboration during the first working group meeting scheduled for Friday 3rd February 2023 in Singapore. The concept will be rolled out on phases running from the year 2024 to 2027.\n\nAsia Rugby revamped sevens and fifteen competitions structures have been approved by Council during its mid-year meeting in Kyrgyzstan on 4th July 2022.\nCouncil was briefed on the latest details of Asian Games 2022 including the importance of every national federation to coordinate with its relevant National Olympic Committee to ensure compliance to the below timelines:\n– Entry by Sport: 20/2/2023 at 24:00 (Beijing Time, GMT +8)\n– Entry by Number: 15/3/2023 at 24:00 (Beijing Time, GMT +8)\n– Entry by Name: 15/6/2023 at 24:00 (Beijing Time, GMT +8)\nThe initial allocated slots for Rugby Sevens are 12 teams men and 12 teams women, however, Asia Rugby is in continuous engagement with the Organizing Committee to increase the slots to 16 teams men and 16 teams women.\n\nAsia Rugby and World Rugby agreed that the Olympic Qualification Tournament should be held as a stand-alone event in 2023. Further ongoing\u00a0 discussion\u00a0 on the format of the\u00a0 tournament and the number of teams to participate,\nDuring the most recent Council meeting, National federations were briefed on the ongoing intensive talks and cooperation between Asia Rugby and World Rugby that have been established and continuing for the foreseeable future to ensure a successful commencement of the revamped competitions from January 2024 onwards.\n \nThe post Asia Rugby voted in Qais Al Dhalai as World Rugby Council Member at an Extraordinary General Meeting appeared first on Asia Rugby.", "date_published": "2022-12-15T00:36:20+08:00", "date_modified": "2022-12-16T09:32:47+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Asia Rugby", "url": "https://www.asiarugby.com/author/k-haroon/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ea791d807df550e52d2e6508886912b7?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "Asia Rugby", "url": "https://www.asiarugby.com/author/k-haroon/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ea791d807df550e52d2e6508886912b7?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.asiarugby.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/END-COUNCIL-2022.jpg", "tags": [ "Qais Al-Dhalai", "Asia Rugby", "Featured", "News", "World Rugby" ] }, { "id": "https://www.asiarugby.com/?p=8910", "url": "https://www.asiarugby.com/2022/08/13/world-rugby-sevens-challenger-series-2/", "title": "Thrilling opening day of World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series", "content_html": "\n

There was no shortage of drama, determination and scintillating skill on day one of the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series 2022 in Santiago, Chile.

\n

With the prize of promotion to the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2023 at stake, the 24 competing teams played with passion and commitment on the opening day of the three day competition at Estadio Santa Laura in view of the majestic Andes mountain range.

\n

KAZAKHSTAN V COLOMBIA \u2013 Rugby World Cup Qualifier

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In the women\u2019s tournament Kenya, Japan, Poland and Kazakhstan secured a pair of victories and will be looking ahead to Saturday\u2019s quarter-finals.

\n

Kazakhstan were impressive throughout, convincingly beating Colombia 22-5, and Mexico 24-5. Japan, who are looking to return to the World Series as a core team, beat Mexico 44-5 and Colombia 21-12.

\n

Poland were the day\u2019s top scorers with a 71-0 thrashing of Papua New Guinea in Pool E, which followed their earlier 36-5 victory over Argentina, who bounced back to beat Belgium 15-10 to keep their quarter-final hopes alive.

\n

Kenya took charge of Pool D with a hard fought 17-15 win over China, followed by a 31-5 defeat of South Africa. China \u00a0and will face South Africa in a crucial final pool match on Saturday morning.

\n

\"\"

\n

The men\u2019s competition saw Tonga and Hong Kong secure their progress to Saturday\u2019s quarter-finals by winning both of their matches against Jamaica and Zimbabwe in Pool B.

\n

Germany are in pole position in Pool C with a perfect win record after beating Lithuania and overcoming Uganda 17-14 in a pulsating encounter thanks to a hattrick of tries from Jack Hunt.

\n

Hosts Chile were cheered to a 24-7 victory over Papua New Guinea in the last match of the day to build upon their earlier 19-14 win over Georgia as they look sure to progress to the quarter-finals.

\n

Chile men\u2019s captain Joaquin Huici said: \u201cThe first game was a tough one against Georgia and it was the same against Papua New Guinea, although we managed to control the game. Tomorrow we face Korea in our last pool match, we will get some rest and focus on them.\u201d

\n

VIEW FULL DAY ONE REPORT >>

\n

Play begins on Saturday 13 August at 09:28 local time (GMT-4) when Colombia and Mexico take to the pitch to kick-off an action-packed day of international rugby sevens, with the quarter-finals set to take place from 17:00 to 20:58. The all-important finals will take place on Sunday with the women at 18:47, followed by the men at 19:20.

\n

VIEW RESULTS AND FIXTURES >>

\n

The Challenger Series was introduced in 2020 to boost rugby sevens\u2019 development across the globe and provide a pathway for promotion to the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.

\n

The global event sees teams from all six World Rugby regions represented in a competition format that replicates the Olympic Games with three pools of four teams.

\n

The top two from each pool along with the two best third-placed teams will qualify for the quarter-finals, before the semi-finals and final will decide the tournament winners on Sunday.

\n

There is plenty of top class experience in the line-up as nine men\u2019s teams have appeared on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series previously as invitational teams. Meanwhile China and Japan have both been core teams on the women\u2019s Series, while another eight women\u2019s teams have played at least once in the Series.

\n

Five of the women\u2019s teams and nine men\u2019s teams competing in Chile have also qualified for Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 where they will play in front of an anticipated crowd of 165,000 fans across three days in Cape Town on 9-11 September.

\n

Fans around the world can watch every match of the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series live on\u00a0www.world.rugby, while in South America the action will be live streamed on ESPN\u2019s Star+ platform.

\n

The post Thrilling opening day of World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series appeared first on Asia Rugby.

\n", "content_text": "Thrilling first day at World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series in Santiago, Chile\nTournament winners will gain promotion to the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2023\nKazakhstan, Kenya, Japan and Poland claim perfect win records in women\u2019s competition ahead of the quarter-finals on Saturday\nHosts Chile, along with Germany, Hong Kong and Tonga win both opening matches in men\u2019s tournament\nDay two action begins at 09:30 (GMT-4) on Saturday 13 August, with the finals on Sunday 14 August\n\nThere was no shortage of drama, determination and scintillating skill on day one of the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series 2022 in Santiago, Chile.\nWith the prize of promotion to the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2023 at stake, the 24 competing teams played with passion and commitment on the opening day of the three day competition at Estadio Santa Laura in view of the majestic Andes mountain range.\nKAZAKHSTAN V COLOMBIA \u2013 Rugby World Cup Qualifier\nIn the women\u2019s tournament Kenya, Japan, Poland and Kazakhstan secured a pair of victories and will be looking ahead to Saturday\u2019s quarter-finals.\nKazakhstan were impressive throughout, convincingly beating Colombia 22-5, and Mexico 24-5. Japan, who are looking to return to the World Series as a core team, beat Mexico 44-5 and Colombia 21-12.\nPoland were the day\u2019s top scorers with a 71-0 thrashing of Papua New Guinea in Pool E, which followed their earlier 36-5 victory over Argentina, who bounced back to beat Belgium 15-10 to keep their quarter-final hopes alive.\nKenya took charge of Pool D with a hard fought 17-15 win over China, followed by a 31-5 defeat of South Africa. China \u00a0and will face South Africa in a crucial final pool match on Saturday morning.\n\nThe men\u2019s competition saw Tonga and Hong Kong secure their progress to Saturday\u2019s quarter-finals by winning both of their matches against Jamaica and Zimbabwe in Pool B.\nGermany are in pole position in Pool C with a perfect win record after beating Lithuania and overcoming Uganda 17-14 in a pulsating encounter thanks to a hattrick of tries from Jack Hunt.\nHosts Chile were cheered to a 24-7 victory over Papua New Guinea in the last match of the day to build upon their earlier 19-14 win over Georgia as they look sure to progress to the quarter-finals.\nChile men\u2019s captain Joaquin Huici said: \u201cThe first game was a tough one against Georgia and it was the same against Papua New Guinea, although we managed to control the game. Tomorrow we face Korea in our last pool match, we will get some rest and focus on them.\u201d\nVIEW FULL DAY ONE REPORT >>\nPlay begins on Saturday 13 August at 09:28 local time (GMT-4) when Colombia and Mexico take to the pitch to kick-off an action-packed day of international rugby sevens, with the quarter-finals set to take place from 17:00 to 20:58. The all-important finals will take place on Sunday with the women at 18:47, followed by the men at 19:20.\nVIEW RESULTS AND FIXTURES >>\nThe Challenger Series was introduced in 2020 to boost rugby sevens\u2019 development across the globe and provide a pathway for promotion to the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.\nThe global event sees teams from all six World Rugby regions represented in a competition format that replicates the Olympic Games with three pools of four teams.\nThe top two from each pool along with the two best third-placed teams will qualify for the quarter-finals, before the semi-finals and final will decide the tournament winners on Sunday.\nThere is plenty of top class experience in the line-up as nine men\u2019s teams have appeared on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series previously as invitational teams. Meanwhile China and Japan have both been core teams on the women\u2019s Series, while another eight women\u2019s teams have played at least once in the Series.\nFive of the women\u2019s teams and nine men\u2019s teams competing in Chile have also qualified for Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 where they will play in front of an anticipated crowd of 165,000 fans across three days in Cape Town on 9-11 September.\nFans around the world can watch every match of the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series live on\u00a0www.world.rugby, while in South America the action will be live streamed on ESPN\u2019s Star+ platform.\nThe post Thrilling opening day of World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series appeared first on Asia Rugby.", "date_published": "2022-08-13T14:54:54+08:00", "date_modified": "2022-08-13T14:54:54+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Asia Rugby", "url": "https://www.asiarugby.com/author/k-haroon/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ea791d807df550e52d2e6508886912b7?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "Asia Rugby", "url": "https://www.asiarugby.com/author/k-haroon/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ea791d807df550e52d2e6508886912b7?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.asiarugby.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/20220812_006.jpg", "tags": [ "Hong Kong", "Japan", "Korea", "Kazakhstan", "HSBC 7s", "Featured", "World Rugby" ] }, { "id": "https://www.asiarugby.com/?p=8275", "url": "https://www.asiarugby.com/2021/09/23/contact-training-load-guidance/", "title": "Players, unions and competitions support new guidelines for rugby contact training load", "content_html": "

World Rugby and International Rugby Players have published new contact training load guidance aimed at reducing injury risk and supporting short and long-term player welfare.

\n\n

World Rugby and International Rugby Players (IRP) have published new contact training load guidance aimed at reducing injury risk and supporting short and long-term player welfare. The guidance is being supported by national players\u2019 associations, national unions, international and domestic competitions, top coaches and clubs.

\n

Earlier this year, World Rugby unveiled a\u00a0transformational six-point plan\u00a0aiming to cement rugby as the most progressive sport on player welfare. These new best-practice guidelines focus on the intensity and frequency of contact training to which professional rugby players should be exposed and have been shaped by consultation with players and coaches as well as leading medical, conditioning and scientific experts.

\n

While the incidence of training injuries is low relative to that of matches, the volume of training performed means that a relatively high proportion (35-40 per cent) of all injuries during a season occur during training, with the majority of these being soft tissue injuries. Since the training environment is highly controllable, the guidelines have been developed to reduce injury risk and cumulative contact load to the lowest possible levels that still allow for adequate player conditioning and technical preparation.

\n

Global study

\n

The guidelines are based on a global study undertaken by IRP of almost 600 players participating across 18 elite men\u2019s and women\u2019s competitions, and a comprehensive review of the latest injury data. This reveals that training patterns vary across competitions, with an average of 21 minutes per week of full contact training and an average total contact load of 118 minutes per week. A more measured and consistent approach to training will help manage the contact load for players, especially those moving between club and national training environments. The research supports minimising contact load in training, in order that players can be prepared to perform but avoid an elevated injury risk at the same time. The guidelines aim to help strike that balance.

\n

New \u2018best practice\u2019 training contact guidelines

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World Rugby and International Rugby Players\u2019 new framework [https://www.world.rugby/the-game/player-welfare/medical/contact-load] sets out clear and acceptable contact guidelines for training sessions, aiming to further inform coaches \u2013 and players \u2013 of best practice for reducing injury risk and optimising match preparation in season. The guidance covers the whole spectrum of contact training types, considering volume, intensity, frequency and predictability of contact, as well as the optimal structure of sessions across the typical training week, including crucial recovery and rest periods.

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Recommended contact training limits for the professional game are:

\n

 

\n
    \n
  1. Full contact training:\u00a0maximum of 15 minutes per week across a maximum of two days per week with Mondays and Fridays comprising zero full contact training to allow for recovery and preparation
    2. \n
  2. Controlled contact training: maximum of 40 minutes per week
    3. \n
  3. Live set-piece training: maximum of 30 minutes set-piece training per week is advised
    4. \n
\n

The guidelines, which also consider reducing the overall load for players of particular age, maturity and injury profile (in line with the risk factors and load guidance published in 2019), will feature in the men\u2019s and women\u2019s Rugby World Cup player welfare standards.

\n

Instrumented mouthguard research programme to inform effectiveness

\n

World Rugby is partnering with elite teams to measure the \u2018real life\u2019 effect of these guidelines (in training and matches) and assess the mechanism, incidence and intensity of head impact events using the Prevent Biometics market-leading instrumented mouthguard technology and video analysis to monitor implementation and measure outcomes.

\n

The technology, the same employed in the ground-breaking\u00a0Otago Rugby Head Impact Detection Study, will deliver the biggest ever comparable bank of head impact data in the sport with more than 1,000 participants across the men\u2019s and women\u2019s elite, community and age-grade levels. The teams that have signed up so far are multiple Champions Cup winners Leinster, French powerhouse Clermont Auvergne and Benetton Treviso while discussions are ongoing with several other men\u2019s and women\u2019s teams across a range of competitions.

\n

\"\"

\n

World Rugby Chief Executive Alan Gilpin said: \u201cThis important body of work reflects our ambition to advance welfare for players at all levels of the game. Designed by experts, these guidelines are based on the largest study of contact training in the sport, developed by some of the best rugby, performance and medical minds in the game. We believe that by moderating overall training load on an individualised basis, including contact in season, it is possible to enhance both injury-prevention and performance outcomes, which is good for players, coaches and fans.\u201d

\n

World Rugby Director of Rugby and High Performance and former Ireland coach Joe Schmidt added: \u201cTraining has increasingly played an important role in injury-prevention as well as performance. While there is a lot less full contact training than many people might imagine, it is our hope that having a central set of guidelines will further inform players and coaches of key considerations for any contact that is done during training.

\n

\u201cThese new guidelines, developed by leading experts and supported by the game, are by necessity a work in progress and will be monitored and further researched to understand the positive impact on player welfare. We are encouraged by the response that we have received so far.

\n

\u201cWe recognise that community level rugby can be an almost entirely different sport in terms of fitness levels, resources and how players can be expected to train, but the guidelines can be applied at many levels, especially the planning, purpose and monitoring of any contact in training.\u201d

\n

International Rugby Players Chief Executive Omar Hassanein said the guidelines are being welcomed by players: \u201cFrom an International Rugby Players\u2019 perspective, this project represents a significant and very relevant piece of work relating to contact load. We\u2019ve worked closely with our member bodies in gathering approximately 600 responses from across the globe, allowing us to have sufficient data to then be assessed by industry experts. The processing of this data has led to some quite specific recommendations which are designed to protect our players from injuries relating to excessive contact load. We will continue to work with World Rugby as we monitor the progress of these recommendations and undertake further research in this area.\u201d

\n

Leinster coach Stuart Lancaster, who was involved in reviewing the study and advising the development of the guidelines, said: \u201cWe have a responsibility to make the game as safe as possible for all our players. For coaches, optimising training plays a significant role in achieving that objective. It is important that we do not overdo contact load across the week in order that players are fresh, injury-free and ready for match days. These guidelines provide a practical and impactful approach to this central area of player preparation and management.\u201d

\n

Ireland international and IRP Head of Strategic Projects and Research Sene Naoupu said: “While this is the first step of the implementation and monitoring process, it is an incredible outcome that shows just how much players care about this area. It also provides a foundation to review and determine future direction of implementation across the game, within an evidence-based injury-prevention programme for performance and welfare.”

\n

World Rugby is also progressing a wide-ranging study of the impact of replacements on injury risk in the sport with the University of Bath in England, a ground-breaking study into the frequency and nature of head impacts in community rugby in partnership with the Otago Rugby Union, University of Otago and New Zealand Rugby, and further research specific to the professional women\u2019s game. All of these priority activities will inform the decisions the sport makes to advance welfare for players at all levels and stages.

\n

The post Players, unions and competitions support new guidelines for rugby contact training load appeared first on Asia Rugby.

\n", "content_text": "World Rugby and International Rugby Players have published new contact training load guidance aimed at reducing injury risk and supporting short and long-term player welfare.\n\nBest-practice contact training load guidelines aim to reduce injury risk while maintaining or improving performance\nNew guidelines set out advised weekly limits for full contact training (15 minutes), controlled contact (40 minutes) and live set piece (30 minutes) training\nGuidelines follow global consultation, including feedback from almost 600 players across elite men\u2019s and women\u2019s competitions, and input from leading strength and conditioning, medical and performance experts\nThey will be underpinned by a review and research programme to drive continuous learning and improvement and to encourage consistent application across the professional game\nGuidelines and follow-up research welcomed by players, national unions, global competitions\nElite teams, including Leinster, Clermont Auvergne and Benetton Treviso, have signed up to a trial measuring their training and match contact using instrumented mouthguards to monitor effectiveness and inform future advancements\n\nWorld Rugby and International Rugby Players (IRP) have published new contact training load guidance aimed at reducing injury risk and supporting short and long-term player welfare. The guidance is being supported by national players\u2019 associations, national unions, international and domestic competitions, top coaches and clubs.\nEarlier this year, World Rugby unveiled a\u00a0transformational six-point plan\u00a0aiming to cement rugby as the most progressive sport on player welfare. These new best-practice guidelines focus on the intensity and frequency of contact training to which professional rugby players should be exposed and have been shaped by consultation with players and coaches as well as leading medical, conditioning and scientific experts.\nWhile the incidence of training injuries is low relative to that of matches, the volume of training performed means that a relatively high proportion (35-40 per cent) of all injuries during a season occur during training, with the majority of these being soft tissue injuries. Since the training environment is highly controllable, the guidelines have been developed to reduce injury risk and cumulative contact load to the lowest possible levels that still allow for adequate player conditioning and technical preparation.\nGlobal study\nThe guidelines are based on a global study undertaken by IRP of almost 600 players participating across 18 elite men\u2019s and women\u2019s competitions, and a comprehensive review of the latest injury data. This reveals that training patterns vary across competitions, with an average of 21 minutes per week of full contact training and an average total contact load of 118 minutes per week. A more measured and consistent approach to training will help manage the contact load for players, especially those moving between club and national training environments. The research supports minimising contact load in training, in order that players can be prepared to perform but avoid an elevated injury risk at the same time. The guidelines aim to help strike that balance.\nNew \u2018best practice\u2019 training contact guidelines\nWorld Rugby and International Rugby Players\u2019 new framework [https://www.world.rugby/the-game/player-welfare/medical/contact-load] sets out clear and acceptable contact guidelines for training sessions, aiming to further inform coaches \u2013 and players \u2013 of best practice for reducing injury risk and optimising match preparation in season. The guidance covers the whole spectrum of contact training types, considering volume, intensity, frequency and predictability of contact, as well as the optimal structure of sessions across the typical training week, including crucial recovery and rest periods.\nRecommended contact training limits for the professional game are:\n \n\nFull contact training:\u00a0maximum of 15 minutes per week across a maximum of two days per week with Mondays and Fridays comprising zero full contact training to allow for recovery and preparation\nControlled contact training: maximum of 40 minutes per week\nLive set-piece training: maximum of 30 minutes set-piece training per week is advised\n\nThe guidelines, which also consider reducing the overall load for players of particular age, maturity and injury profile (in line with the risk factors and load guidance published in 2019), will feature in the men\u2019s and women\u2019s Rugby World Cup player welfare standards.\nInstrumented mouthguard research programme to inform effectiveness\nWorld Rugby is partnering with elite teams to measure the \u2018real life\u2019 effect of these guidelines (in training and matches) and assess the mechanism, incidence and intensity of head impact events using the Prevent Biometics market-leading instrumented mouthguard technology and video analysis to monitor implementation and measure outcomes.\nThe technology, the same employed in the ground-breaking\u00a0Otago Rugby Head Impact Detection Study, will deliver the biggest ever comparable bank of head impact data in the sport with more than 1,000 participants across the men\u2019s and women\u2019s elite, community and age-grade levels. The teams that have signed up so far are multiple Champions Cup winners Leinster, French powerhouse Clermont Auvergne and Benetton Treviso while discussions are ongoing with several other men\u2019s and women\u2019s teams across a range of competitions.\n\nWorld Rugby Chief Executive Alan Gilpin said: \u201cThis important body of work reflects our ambition to advance welfare for players at all levels of the game. Designed by experts, these guidelines are based on the largest study of contact training in the sport, developed by some of the best rugby, performance and medical minds in the game. We believe that by moderating overall training load on an individualised basis, including contact in season, it is possible to enhance both injury-prevention and performance outcomes, which is good for players, coaches and fans.\u201d\nWorld Rugby Director of Rugby and High Performance and former Ireland coach Joe Schmidt added: \u201cTraining has increasingly played an important role in injury-prevention as well as performance. While there is a lot less full contact training than many people might imagine, it is our hope that having a central set of guidelines will further inform players and coaches of key considerations for any contact that is done during training.\n\u201cThese new guidelines, developed by leading experts and supported by the game, are by necessity a work in progress and will be monitored and further researched to understand the positive impact on player welfare. We are encouraged by the response that we have received so far.\n\u201cWe recognise that community level rugby can be an almost entirely different sport in terms of fitness levels, resources and how players can be expected to train, but the guidelines can be applied at many levels, especially the planning, purpose and monitoring of any contact in training.\u201d\nInternational Rugby Players Chief Executive Omar Hassanein said the guidelines are being welcomed by players: \u201cFrom an International Rugby Players\u2019 perspective, this project represents a significant and very relevant piece of work relating to contact load. We\u2019ve worked closely with our member bodies in gathering approximately 600 responses from across the globe, allowing us to have sufficient data to then be assessed by industry experts. The processing of this data has led to some quite specific recommendations which are designed to protect our players from injuries relating to excessive contact load. We will continue to work with World Rugby as we monitor the progress of these recommendations and undertake further research in this area.\u201d\nLeinster coach Stuart Lancaster, who was involved in reviewing the study and advising the development of the guidelines, said: \u201cWe have a responsibility to make the game as safe as possible for all our players. For coaches, optimising training plays a significant role in achieving that objective. It is important that we do not overdo contact load across the week in order that players are fresh, injury-free and ready for match days. These guidelines provide a practical and impactful approach to this central area of player preparation and management.\u201d\nIreland international and IRP Head of Strategic Projects and Research Sene Naoupu said: “While this is the first step of the implementation and monitoring process, it is an incredible outcome that shows just how much players care about this area. It also provides a foundation to review and determine future direction of implementation across the game, within an evidence-based injury-prevention programme for performance and welfare.”\nWorld Rugby is also progressing a wide-ranging study of the impact of replacements on injury risk in the sport with the University of Bath in England, a ground-breaking study into the frequency and nature of head impacts in community rugby in partnership with the Otago Rugby Union, University of Otago and New Zealand Rugby, and further research specific to the professional women\u2019s game. All of these priority activities will inform the decisions the sport makes to advance welfare for players at all levels and stages.\nThe post Players, unions and competitions support new guidelines for rugby contact training load appeared first on Asia Rugby.", "date_published": "2021-09-23T09:53:22+08:00", "date_modified": "2021-09-23T09:53:22+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Asia Rugby", "url": "https://www.asiarugby.com/author/k-haroon/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ea791d807df550e52d2e6508886912b7?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "Asia Rugby", "url": "https://www.asiarugby.com/author/k-haroon/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ea791d807df550e52d2e6508886912b7?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.asiarugby.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Head-World-rugby.jpg", "tags": [ "Featured", "News", "Medical #playerwelfare", "Training and Education", "World Rugby" ] }, { "id": "https://www.asiarugby.com/?p=7681", "url": "https://www.asiarugby.com/2020/12/13/2021-competitions/", "title": "Asia Rugby Announces 2021 Competitions Calendar", "content_html": "

Asia Rugby confirmed the commencement of the year 2021 competitions with Hong Kong hosting the Asia Rugby Women’s Championship (ARWC) which was initially scheduled for 2020, the championship will also be considered as the qualifiers for the Rugby World Cup 2021 scheduled for September 2021\u00a0 in New Zealand.

\n

Link to >>>>>>Asia Rugby Calendar 2021

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The WRWC 2021 qualifiers will feature Hong Kong, Kazakstan and Japan with the winners awarded Asia\u2019s direct spot into and placed in Pool B alongside Canada USA and Europe 1.

\n
\"2021
Photo by Ike Li / ikeimages
\n

Another highlight of the year will be the Asia Rugby Men\u2019s Championship (ARMC) which is a qualification pathway tournament for the Rugby World Cup 2023 in France, with Japan already securing a spot after reaching the Quarterfinals in the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

\n

Related Article: Over two million new rugby participants in Asia shows impact beyond Rugby World Cup 2019

\n

The winner of the 2021 ARMC will play Oceania 2 in a one-off game which will be hosted by the team with the highest ranking, with the winner securing a direct spot in the RWC 2023, and the loser going to the final qualification tournament.

\n
\"Asia
Photo by : Ike Li / Ike Images
\n

The ARMC is scheduled to be played in a home and away matches that are planned to start on the\u00a0 5th of May at the Namdong Asiad Stadium, Incheon in South Korea until 26th of June at the Hong Kong Football Club stadium in Hong Kong.

\n

The iconic Asia Rugby Sevens Series is scheduled over 3 legs, with the series being played in South Korea, China and Sri Lanka, from August to September.

\n

\"Asia

\n

The Asia Rugby U19 Men\u2019s Fifteens Tournament being postponed from 2020 to commence on 31 March 2021 will serve as the pathway to the Junior World Trophy 2021, featuring Chinese Taipei, South Korea, Sri Lanka, and Hong Kong.

\n

Asia Rugby Competitions Committee has been engaged constantly with unions in planning the 2021 Competitions Calendar and continues to work closely with the Player Welfare and Medical Committee and relevant stakeholders to monitor the updates and effects of the COVID19 pandemic,\u00a0 ensuring that the competitions are held with all relevant safety measures in place.

\n

Asia Rugby President, Mr Qais Al Dhalai said: \u201cWe are very excited about the Return of Rugby across Asia,\u00a0 some of our unions have already kicked off their domestic tournaments and it\u2019s the time now for international rugby as well\u201d

\n

\"\"

\n

He added \u201cAsia Rugby is fully committed to the health and safety of players, fans and everyone working on the events which will always be our top priority and will keep monitoring the region\u2019s health situation closely to implement the ideal protocols. As always, Asia Rugby will ensure that it\u2019s longstanding guiding principles of\u00a0 Equality, Transparency and\u00a0 Accountability in all aspect of the game are fully exercised across the region\u201d

\n

\"2021

\n

He further added, \u201cAsia Rugby has also explored various innovative opportunities aiming at serving its member unions and fans in the forms of Beach Rugby, and Snow Rugby\u201d

\n

 

\n

The post Asia Rugby Announces 2021 Competitions Calendar appeared first on Asia Rugby.

\n", "content_text": "Asia Rugby confirmed the commencement of the year 2021 competitions with Hong Kong hosting the Asia Rugby Women’s Championship (ARWC) which was initially scheduled for 2020, the championship will also be considered as the qualifiers for the Rugby World Cup 2021 scheduled for September 2021\u00a0 in New Zealand.\nLink to >>>>>>Asia Rugby Calendar 2021\nThe WRWC 2021 qualifiers will feature Hong Kong, Kazakstan and Japan with the winners awarded Asia\u2019s direct spot into and placed in Pool B alongside Canada USA and Europe 1.\nPhoto by Ike Li / ikeimages\nAnother highlight of the year will be the Asia Rugby Men\u2019s Championship (ARMC) which is a qualification pathway tournament for the Rugby World Cup 2023 in France, with Japan already securing a spot after reaching the Quarterfinals in the 2019 Rugby World Cup.\nRelated Article: Over two million new rugby participants in Asia shows impact beyond Rugby World Cup 2019\nThe winner of the 2021 ARMC will play Oceania 2 in a one-off game which will be hosted by the team with the highest ranking, with the winner securing a direct spot in the RWC 2023, and the loser going to the final qualification tournament.\nPhoto by : Ike Li / Ike Images\nThe ARMC is scheduled to be played in a home and away matches that are planned to start on the\u00a0 5th of May at the Namdong Asiad Stadium, Incheon in South Korea until 26th of June at the Hong Kong Football Club stadium in Hong Kong.\nThe iconic Asia Rugby Sevens Series is scheduled over 3 legs, with the series being played in South Korea, China and Sri Lanka, from August to September.\n\nThe Asia Rugby U19 Men\u2019s Fifteens Tournament being postponed from 2020 to commence on 31 March 2021 will serve as the pathway to the Junior World Trophy 2021, featuring Chinese Taipei, South Korea, Sri Lanka, and Hong Kong.\nAsia Rugby Competitions Committee has been engaged constantly with unions in planning the 2021 Competitions Calendar and continues to work closely with the Player Welfare and Medical Committee and relevant stakeholders to monitor the updates and effects of the COVID19 pandemic,\u00a0 ensuring that the competitions are held with all relevant safety measures in place.\nAsia Rugby President, Mr Qais Al Dhalai said: \u201cWe are very excited about the Return of Rugby across Asia,\u00a0 some of our unions have already kicked off their domestic tournaments and it\u2019s the time now for international rugby as well\u201d\n\nHe added \u201cAsia Rugby is fully committed to the health and safety of players, fans and everyone working on the events which will always be our top priority and will keep monitoring the region\u2019s health situation closely to implement the ideal protocols. As always, Asia Rugby will ensure that it\u2019s longstanding guiding principles of\u00a0 Equality, Transparency and\u00a0 Accountability in all aspect of the game are fully exercised across the region\u201d\n\nHe further added, \u201cAsia Rugby has also explored various innovative opportunities aiming at serving its member unions and fans in the forms of Beach Rugby, and Snow Rugby\u201d\n \nThe post Asia Rugby Announces 2021 Competitions Calendar appeared first on Asia Rugby.", "date_published": "2020-12-13T18:45:28+08:00", "date_modified": "2020-12-13T21:30:56+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Asia Rugby", "url": "https://www.asiarugby.com/author/k-haroon/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ea791d807df550e52d2e6508886912b7?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "Asia Rugby", "url": "https://www.asiarugby.com/author/k-haroon/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ea791d807df550e52d2e6508886912b7?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.asiarugby.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2021.jpg", "tags": [ "Featured", "Qais Al-Dhalai", "Asia Rugby u19", "Tokyo 2020", "Asia Rugby Championship", "Asia Rugby Sevens Series", "Asia Rugby Women\u2019s Championship", "ARC", "Rugby World Cup 2023", "World Rugby" ] }, { "id": "https://www.asiarugby.com/?p=7517", "url": "https://www.asiarugby.com/2020/10/15/world-rugby-awards-2/", "title": "Special World Rugby Awards to celebrate rugby\u2019s pandemic heroes and stars of the decade", "content_html": "

A special edition of the World Rugby Awards will take place on 7 December, 2020 to celebrate members of the rugby family who have provided incredible service to the public during the COVID-19 pandemic and players and teams who have starred over the last decade.

\n\n

A special edition of the World Rugby Awards will take place on 7 December, 2020 to celebrate members of the rugby family who have provided incredible service to the public during the COVID-19 pandemic and players and teams who have starred over the last decade.

\n

Related Article: Asia Rugby Awards 2019 Winners

\n

With the global pandemic limiting test match activity in 2020, this year\u2019s awards will be hosted virtually across World Rugby\u2019s digital and social platforms and will not feature the usual celebration of on-field achievements during the calendar year.

\n

Uniquely, the Awards will focus the spotlight on members of the rugby family that showcased great solidarity during the pandemic, supporting their communities, getting involved in relief efforts and showcasing the sport\u2019s character-building values.

\n

\"Women's

\n

The celebration will also look back at a decade of international rugby and recognise in eight new categories teams and individuals who have inspired players and fans around the world.

\n

Bringing the awards closer to fans, winners in six categories will be decided by an online vote open to the public.

\n

The remaining two categories will be voted by the World Rugby Awards panel, a stellar team of rugby legends, who choose the annual World Rugby Awards player, team and coach winners.

\n

World Rugby Awards Special Edition \u2013 eight categories

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The event will be co-hosted by former England international and World Rugby Hall of Fame inductee Maggie Alphonsi and rugby presenter Alex Payne on Monday, 7 December. The show will be made available for free to rugby fans globally via World Rugby digital channels.

\n
\n
\n
World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: \u201cWe are excited to host our World Rugby Awards in an innovative format this year to acknowledge the exceptional circumstances our sport has gone through in recent months.
\n
\n
\n

\u201cThe World Rugby Awards Special Edition will embody the core rugby value of solidarity and I am extremely proud to use this platform to recognise efforts made by members of our global rugby family to fight the pandemic.

\n

\u201cIt will also be a night of celebration with accolades for teams and individuals that have showcased tremendous talent on the field of play over the last decade. I am looking forward to seeing who rugby fans around the world will decide to honour.\u201d

\n

Alphonsi added: \u201cAs our sport carefully begins to restart around the world, it is important to keep celebrating what makes rugby so special: its values, communities and best performers. I am truly honoured to co-host the show with Alex, and I look forward to unveiling the winners to rugby fans from around the world in December.\u201d

\n

The list of nominees and details of the online vote for the six Fans’ Choice categories will be unveiled in due course.

\n

VIEW THE FULL WORLD RUGBY AWARDS PANEL >>

\n

The post Special World Rugby Awards to celebrate rugby\u2019s pandemic heroes and stars of the decade appeared first on Asia Rugby.

\n", "content_text": "A special edition of the World Rugby Awards will take place on 7 December, 2020 to celebrate members of the rugby family who have provided incredible service to the public during the COVID-19 pandemic and players and teams who have starred over the last decade.\n\nWorld Rugby Awards to take place in an innovate virtual format on Monday, 7 December 2020\nSpecial edition will recognise rugby\u2019s front liners who showed great solidarity during the pandemic and honour the best from the last decade of rugby (2010-19)\nRugby fans around the world to get involved and decide winners in six new categories\nWorld Rugby Awards panel to elect a men\u2019s and women\u2019s 15s Dream Team of the Decade in the remaining two categories\nFormer England international Maggie Alphonsi and rugby pundit Alex Payne to co-host the online show\n\nA special edition of the World Rugby Awards will take place on 7 December, 2020 to celebrate members of the rugby family who have provided incredible service to the public during the COVID-19 pandemic and players and teams who have starred over the last decade.\nRelated Article: Asia Rugby Awards 2019 Winners\nWith the global pandemic limiting test match activity in 2020, this year\u2019s awards will be hosted virtually across World Rugby\u2019s digital and social platforms and will not feature the usual celebration of on-field achievements during the calendar year.\nUniquely, the Awards will focus the spotlight on members of the rugby family that showcased great solidarity during the pandemic, supporting their communities, getting involved in relief efforts and showcasing the sport\u2019s character-building values.\n\nThe celebration will also look back at a decade of international rugby and recognise in eight new categories teams and individuals who have inspired players and fans around the world.\nBringing the awards closer to fans, winners in six categories will be decided by an online vote open to the public.\nThe remaining two categories will be voted by the World Rugby Awards panel, a stellar team of rugby legends, who choose the annual World Rugby Awards player, team and coach winners.\nWorld Rugby Awards Special Edition \u2013 eight categories\n\nFans’ Choice\n\nMen\u2019s 15s Player of the Decade in association with Tudor\nWomen\u2019s 15s Player of the Decade in association with Tudor\nMen\u2019s Sevens Player of the Decade in association with HSBC\nWomen\u2019s Sevens Player of the Decade in association with HSBC\nMen\u2019s 15s Try of the Decade in association with International Rugby Players\nWomen\u2019s 15s Try of the Decade in association with International Rugby Players\n\n\nWorld Rugby Awards Panel Choice\n\nMen\u2019s 15s Dream Team\u00a0of the Decade\nWomen\u2019s 15s Dream Team\u00a0of the Decade\n\n\n\nThe event will be co-hosted by former England international and World Rugby Hall of Fame inductee Maggie Alphonsi and rugby presenter Alex Payne on Monday, 7 December. The show will be made available for free to rugby fans globally via World Rugby digital channels.\n\n\nWorld Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: \u201cWe are excited to host our World Rugby Awards in an innovative format this year to acknowledge the exceptional circumstances our sport has gone through in recent months.\n\n\n\u201cThe World Rugby Awards Special Edition will embody the core rugby value of solidarity and I am extremely proud to use this platform to recognise efforts made by members of our global rugby family to fight the pandemic.\n\u201cIt will also be a night of celebration with accolades for teams and individuals that have showcased tremendous talent on the field of play over the last decade. I am looking forward to seeing who rugby fans around the world will decide to honour.\u201d\nAlphonsi added: \u201cAs our sport carefully begins to restart around the world, it is important to keep celebrating what makes rugby so special: its values, communities and best performers. I am truly honoured to co-host the show with Alex, and I look forward to unveiling the winners to rugby fans from around the world in December.\u201d\nThe list of nominees and details of the online vote for the six Fans’ Choice categories will be unveiled in due course.\nVIEW THE FULL WORLD RUGBY AWARDS PANEL >>\nThe post Special World Rugby Awards to celebrate rugby\u2019s pandemic heroes and stars of the decade appeared first on Asia Rugby.", "date_published": "2020-10-15T08:16:36+08:00", "date_modified": "2020-10-15T17:02:16+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Asia Rugby", "url": "https://www.asiarugby.com/author/k-haroon/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ea791d807df550e52d2e6508886912b7?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "Asia Rugby", "url": "https://www.asiarugby.com/author/k-haroon/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ea791d807df550e52d2e6508886912b7?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.asiarugby.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/world-rugby-awards-2020.jpg", "tags": [ "World Rugby Awards", "Featured", "World Rugby" ] }, { "id": "https://www.asiarugby.com/?p=7450", "url": "https://www.asiarugby.com/2020/10/02/rugby-world-cup-2023-draw/", "title": "Stage set for Rugby World Cup 2023 Draw", "content_html": "

World Rugby and the France 2023 Organising Committee have announced that the Rugby World Cup 2023 Draw will take place in Paris at Palais Brongniart on 14 December 2020.

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World Rugby and the France 2023 Organising Committee have announced that the Palais Brongniart in Paris will host the Rugby World Cup 2023 Draw. The Draw will be pushed back from the\u00a0previously announced date\u00a0by two weeks to 14 December 2020 owing to the ongoing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on rugby and event hosting activities.

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Link : #RWC2023

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Built in 1908, the iconic Parisian venue will host the much-anticipated live event which will bring to life the tournament in the eyes of teams and fans alike. The draw will be streamed live for fans around the world via World Rugby\u2019s digital channels.

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Celebrating 200 years since the birth of the sport, Rugby World Cup 2023 will be contested by 20 teams, of which 12 are automatically qualified owing to a top-three place in their respective Rugby World Cup 2019 pools: champions South Africa, England, Wales, New Zealand, Japan, France, Australia, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, Argentina and Fiji.

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\"Japan

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As previously announced and in line with previous Rugby World Cups, the teams will be seeded based on World Rugby Rankings and positioned into three bands of four teams.

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The remaining eight teams will come through the regional qualification process and will be allocated into bands four and five based on relative strength. They consist of Americas 1, Americas 2, Europe 1, Europe 2, Africa 1, Oceania 1, Asia / Pacific 1 and the Final Qualifier Winner.

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SEE FULL RWC 2023 REGIONAL QUALIFICATION PROCESS >>>

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Acknowledging the global COVID-19 impact on international rugby in 2020, with some teams not playing this year, and to be fair to all qualified teams, the Rugby World Cup Board has decided that the World Rugby rankings as of 1 January 2020 will be used to determine the five bands. This represents the fairest scenario given it was the last time that all teams were able to play.

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The bands as of 1 January 2020 are:

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World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: \u201cThe Draw is a key milestone on the journey to Rugby World Cup France 2023 and the time when the tournament truly comes to life for teams and players alike, enabling key operational elements to be undertaken such as venue allocation, optimal match schedule development and, of course, the ticketing programme.

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\u201cWhile COVID-19 means that, in the interests of fairness for all qualified teams, we have needed to draw a line under the rankings at the beginning of the year, everyone should appreciate that this is a unique time, we can\u2019t delay, and we must continue to accelerate planning for what is going to be a truly spectacular and special Rugby World Cup 2023 in France.

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\u201cThe RWC 2023 Draw will be a greatly anticipated beacon of hope and excitement as we look towards France 2023 and beyond the global pandemic.\u201d

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Related Article: Rugby World Cup host selection process (Men & Women)

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Rugby World Cup France 2023 General Manager Claude Atcher said:\u00a0\u201cAs promised, the Rugby World Cup 2023 Draw will be organised as scheduled, which is great for teams and fans. Its organisation as planned is testimony to the hard work of everyone involved at the organising committee during the pandemic and will shine as a positive, shining light of confidence, hope and excitement. The Draw will give certainty to qualified teams, allowing them to prepare in the best possible conditions.\u201d

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Building on the record-breaking success of Japan 2019, Rugby World Cup France 2023 aims to a be a spectacular event and the most impactful Rugby World Cup ever. The tournament will set new standards in social responsibility, inclusion and sustainability for a major rugby event, leaving a tangible legacy that benefits local communities within the host country and around the world.

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FRANCE 2023 AIMS TO DELIVER POSITIVE IMPACT >>

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Meanwhile, the Rugby World Cup Board has recommended that the draw for future Rugby World Cups should take place no earlier than one year proceeding the event to ensure the pools better reflect performance at the time.

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The post Stage set for Rugby World Cup 2023 Draw appeared first on Asia Rugby.

\n", "content_text": "World Rugby and the France 2023 Organising Committee have announced that the Rugby World Cup 2023 Draw will take place in Paris at Palais Brongniart on 14 December 2020.\n\nRugby World Cup 2023 Draw to take place on 14 December in Paris\nIconic Palais Brongniart to host the event following strict sanitary precautions\nWorld Rugby rankings as of 1 January 2020 to be used to determine seedings\nPlayers, coaches and fans to follow RWC 2023 Draw live on World Rugby platforms\n\nWorld Rugby and the France 2023 Organising Committee have announced that the Palais Brongniart in Paris will host the Rugby World Cup 2023 Draw. The Draw will be pushed back from the\u00a0previously announced date\u00a0by two weeks to 14 December 2020 owing to the ongoing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on rugby and event hosting activities.\nLink : #RWC2023\nBuilt in 1908, the iconic Parisian venue will host the much-anticipated live event which will bring to life the tournament in the eyes of teams and fans alike. The draw will be streamed live for fans around the world via World Rugby\u2019s digital channels.\nCelebrating 200 years since the birth of the sport, Rugby World Cup 2023 will be contested by 20 teams, of which 12 are automatically qualified owing to a top-three place in their respective Rugby World Cup 2019 pools: champions South Africa, England, Wales, New Zealand, Japan, France, Australia, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, Argentina and Fiji.\n\nAs previously announced and in line with previous Rugby World Cups, the teams will be seeded based on World Rugby Rankings and positioned into three bands of four teams.\nThe remaining eight teams will come through the regional qualification process and will be allocated into bands four and five based on relative strength. They consist of Americas 1, Americas 2, Europe 1, Europe 2, Africa 1, Oceania 1, Asia / Pacific 1 and the Final Qualifier Winner.\nSEE FULL RWC 2023 REGIONAL QUALIFICATION PROCESS >>>\nAcknowledging the global COVID-19 impact on international rugby in 2020, with some teams not playing this year, and to be fair to all qualified teams, the Rugby World Cup Board has decided that the World Rugby rankings as of 1 January 2020 will be used to determine the five bands. This represents the fairest scenario given it was the last time that all teams were able to play.\nThe bands as of 1 January 2020 are:\n\nBand 1: South Africa, New Zealand, England, Wales\nBand 2: Ireland, Australia, France, Japan\nBand 3: Scotland, Argentina, Fiji, Italy\nBand 4: Oceania 1, Europe 1, Americas 1, Asia / Pacific 1\nBand 5: Africa 1, Europe 2, Americas 2, Final Qualifier Winner\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWorld Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: \u201cThe Draw is a key milestone on the journey to Rugby World Cup France 2023 and the time when the tournament truly comes to life for teams and players alike, enabling key operational elements to be undertaken such as venue allocation, optimal match schedule development and, of course, the ticketing programme.\n\u201cWhile COVID-19 means that, in the interests of fairness for all qualified teams, we have needed to draw a line under the rankings at the beginning of the year, everyone should appreciate that this is a unique time, we can\u2019t delay, and we must continue to accelerate planning for what is going to be a truly spectacular and special Rugby World Cup 2023 in France.\n\u201cThe RWC 2023 Draw will be a greatly anticipated beacon of hope and excitement as we look towards France 2023 and beyond the global pandemic.\u201d\nRelated Article: Rugby World Cup host selection process (Men & Women)\nRugby World Cup France 2023 General Manager Claude Atcher said:\u00a0\u201cAs promised, the Rugby World Cup 2023 Draw will be organised as scheduled, which is great for teams and fans. Its organisation as planned is testimony to the hard work of everyone involved at the organising committee during the pandemic and will shine as a positive, shining light of confidence, hope and excitement. The Draw will give certainty to qualified teams, allowing them to prepare in the best possible conditions.\u201d\nBuilding on the record-breaking success of Japan 2019, Rugby World Cup France 2023 aims to a be a spectacular event and the most impactful Rugby World Cup ever. The tournament will set new standards in social responsibility, inclusion and sustainability for a major rugby event, leaving a tangible legacy that benefits local communities within the host country and around the world.\nFRANCE 2023 AIMS TO DELIVER POSITIVE IMPACT >>\nMeanwhile, the Rugby World Cup Board has recommended that the draw for future Rugby World Cups should take place no earlier than one year proceeding the event to ensure the pools better reflect performance at the time.\nThe post Stage set for Rugby World Cup 2023 Draw appeared first on Asia Rugby.", "date_published": "2020-10-02T22:44:23+08:00", "date_modified": "2020-10-02T22:44:23+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Asia Rugby", "url": "https://www.asiarugby.com/author/k-haroon/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ea791d807df550e52d2e6508886912b7?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "Asia Rugby", "url": "https://www.asiarugby.com/author/k-haroon/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ea791d807df550e52d2e6508886912b7?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.asiarugby.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/RWC2023-RWC-draw.jpg", "tags": [ "Rugby World Cup", "Featured", "Rugby World Cup 2023", "World Rugby" ] }, { "id": "https://www.asiarugby.com/?p=7420", "url": "https://www.asiarugby.com/2020/09/09/over-two-million-new-rugby-participants-in-asia-impact-beyond/", "title": "Over two million new rugby participants in Asia shows impact beyond Rugby World Cup 2019", "content_html": "

Rugby World Cup 2019 may be remembered by most for what happened on the field, but it\u2019s the events off it that have really made it the most impactful in the tournament\u2019s history \u2013 and that\u2019s not hyperbole. The tournament is already the biggest ever Rugby World Cup in terms of sporting, social and financial impact \u2013 generating a\u00a0record \u00a34.3 billion in economic output, as outlined in a\u00a0recent report by EY.

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Related News:\u00a0Asia 1 Million Project Hits the 1 Million Mark

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Japan 2019, the first RWC in Asia, has proved to be a real game-changer for the sport across the world\u2019s most populous continent. In new data revealed in\u00a0World Rugby\u2019s Year in Review 2019, the tournament has inspired 2.25 million new rugby participants in Asia, including 1.18 million in Japan alone. World Rugby Chairman, Sir Bill Beaumont, described this as \u201cperhaps the most important \u2018try\u2019 of the tournament\u201d.

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As well as the Brave Blossoms\u2019 outstanding performances at RWC 2019, both World Rugby\u2019s\u00a0Get Into Rugby\u00a0and\u00a0Impact Beyond\u00a0programmes are responsible for inspiring this new generation of rugby fanatics in Japan and beyond to help create a lasting legacy for the tournament.

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50 PER CENT INCREASE IN NATIONAL U18 GIRLS\u2019 SIDES IN ASIA

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World Rugby\u2019s Get Into Rugby programme was created with one goal in mind: to encourage players of all ages from across the globe to try, play and stay in rugby. Active in 2,010 locations, the programme partners with regional associations and unions worldwide to deliver rugby in a safe, enjoyable and progressive way.

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Of Get Into Rugby\u2019s 2.1 million global participants throughout 2019, 45 per cent were based in Asia. Five of the top 10 countries in terms of participation numbers are in Asia, in India, Japan, UAE, Pakistan and China. These results are not only the culmination of RWC 2019, but also the incredible groundwork put in by Get Into Rugby \u2013 and Impact Beyond \u2013 in the years building up to the tournament.

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Encouraging new rugby participants to stay in the sport is one of Get Into Rugby\u2019s main focuses. This is why the fact that the programme\u2019s graduates are representing their countries in international age-grade rugby at an ever-increasing rate is hugely encouraging for Get Into Rugby. And the growth in one age group in particular \u2013 U18 girls \u2013 is showing the greatest promise.

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Related News:\u00a0\u00a0SLRFU takes rugby to 5,000+ children in 26 days

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During the most recent RWC cycle \u2013 the four years between England 2015 and Japan 2019 \u2013 the number of national U18 girls\u2019 sides in Asia increased by 50 per cent. Ninety per cent of those players honed their skills through the Get Into Rugby programme.

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And the impact stretches beyond Asia. Two current members of the Fijiana sevens team came through Get Into Rugby. The same can be said for two Vanuatu players representing their country at the Oceania Rugby Women\u2019s Sevens Championship 2019 \u2013 the Pacific island nation\u2019s first-ever appearance at the tournament. A third of the 18 players in the Kenya Lionesses squad in the last three years came through Get Into Rugby.

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While many Get Into Rugby graduates entered the international arena in 2019, the year also saw various nations continue to make progress on their own journey through the programme. We saw the first inter-school rugby festival in St Lucia; the Solomon Islands hosted their first-ever Get Into Rugby tag festival, which over 200 children attended; and Get Into Rugby was introduced to the school curriculum in Afghanistan.

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A LASTING LEGACY

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Together with Get Into Rugby, the Impact Beyond programme is a central pillar in World Rugby\u2019s mission to grow the game globally, running alongside major World Rugby events, such as and most notably Rugby World Cup, and the Olympic Games to inspire and engage future generations.

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In the build up to and during RWC 2019, Impact Beyond\u2019s chief aim was to convert the rugby potential within Japan and Asia.\u00a0World Rugby\u2019s Impact Beyond report\u00a0reveals that, in Japan alone, more than 769,000 schoolchildren have been introduced to tag rugby in over 6,000 elementary schools thanks to the work of the programme.

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The programme\u2019s influence has not only been felt in Japan \u2013 in total 22 Asian rugby unions were involved in Impact Beyond in the build up to RWC 2019. As many as 237,000 players in Pakistan, 180,000 in China, 106,000 in India, as well as many, many others in Bangladesh, the Philippines, Malaysia, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Indonesia, are experiencing rugby for the first time. In further progress still, 43.1 per cent of Asia\u2019s new rugby participants are girls and women.

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Impact Beyond initiatives such as the 19-country stop RWC 2019 Trophy Tour, an exchange project bringing young players from across Asia to experience the thrill of RWC 2019 firsthand, and RWC 2019 partners, such as Land Rover, delivering youth participation days alongside legends like Jonny Wilkinson and Bryan Habana, have all played a role in driving such encouraging growth.

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Rugby is a sport which prides itself on character-building values, and, as part of the Impact Beyond 2019 programme, more than \u00a32 million was pledged in a fantastic show of solidarity from the global rugby family to support ChildFund Pass It Back, the principal RWC 2019 charity partner. Funds raised are transforming the lives of more than 25,000 vulnerable children in disadvantaged communities across Asia through an integrated life skills and rugby curriculum.

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Both Impact Beyond and Get Into Rugby have and will continue to play a crucial role in growing rugby globally and broadening the game\u2019s diversity across gender, ethnicity, age, and social backgrounds. With the Olympic Games in Tokyo on the horizon, the opportunity to further increase awareness and excitement for rugby in Japan and around the world has never been greater.

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Read the full World Rugby Year in Review 2019 here >>

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The post Over two million new rugby participants in Asia shows impact beyond Rugby World Cup 2019 appeared first on Asia Rugby.

\n", "content_text": "Rugby World Cup 2019 may be remembered by most for what happened on the field, but it\u2019s the events off it that have really made it the most impactful in the tournament\u2019s history \u2013 and that\u2019s not hyperbole. The tournament is already the biggest ever Rugby World Cup in terms of sporting, social and financial impact \u2013 generating a\u00a0record \u00a34.3 billion in economic output, as outlined in a\u00a0recent report by EY.\n\nRelated News:\u00a0Asia 1 Million Project Hits the 1 Million Mark\nJapan 2019, the first RWC in Asia, has proved to be a real game-changer for the sport across the world\u2019s most populous continent. In new data revealed in\u00a0World Rugby\u2019s Year in Review 2019, the tournament has inspired 2.25 million new rugby participants in Asia, including 1.18 million in Japan alone. World Rugby Chairman, Sir Bill Beaumont, described this as \u201cperhaps the most important \u2018try\u2019 of the tournament\u201d.\nAs well as the Brave Blossoms\u2019 outstanding performances at RWC 2019, both World Rugby\u2019s\u00a0Get Into Rugby\u00a0and\u00a0Impact Beyond\u00a0programmes are responsible for inspiring this new generation of rugby fanatics in Japan and beyond to help create a lasting legacy for the tournament.\n\n50 PER CENT INCREASE IN NATIONAL U18 GIRLS\u2019 SIDES IN ASIA\nWorld Rugby\u2019s Get Into Rugby programme was created with one goal in mind: to encourage players of all ages from across the globe to try, play and stay in rugby. Active in 2,010 locations, the programme partners with regional associations and unions worldwide to deliver rugby in a safe, enjoyable and progressive way.\nOf Get Into Rugby\u2019s 2.1 million global participants throughout 2019, 45 per cent were based in Asia. Five of the top 10 countries in terms of participation numbers are in Asia, in India, Japan, UAE, Pakistan and China. These results are not only the culmination of RWC 2019, but also the incredible groundwork put in by Get Into Rugby \u2013 and Impact Beyond \u2013 in the years building up to the tournament.\nEncouraging new rugby participants to stay in the sport is one of Get Into Rugby\u2019s main focuses. This is why the fact that the programme\u2019s graduates are representing their countries in international age-grade rugby at an ever-increasing rate is hugely encouraging for Get Into Rugby. And the growth in one age group in particular \u2013 U18 girls \u2013 is showing the greatest promise.\n\nRelated News:\u00a0\u00a0SLRFU takes rugby to 5,000+ children in 26 days\nDuring the most recent RWC cycle \u2013 the four years between England 2015 and Japan 2019 \u2013 the number of national U18 girls\u2019 sides in Asia increased by 50 per cent. Ninety per cent of those players honed their skills through the Get Into Rugby programme.\nAnd the impact stretches beyond Asia. Two current members of the Fijiana sevens team came through Get Into Rugby. The same can be said for two Vanuatu players representing their country at the Oceania Rugby Women\u2019s Sevens Championship 2019 \u2013 the Pacific island nation\u2019s first-ever appearance at the tournament. A third of the 18 players in the Kenya Lionesses squad in the last three years came through Get Into Rugby.\nWhile many Get Into Rugby graduates entered the international arena in 2019, the year also saw various nations continue to make progress on their own journey through the programme. We saw the first inter-school rugby festival in St Lucia; the Solomon Islands hosted their first-ever Get Into Rugby tag festival, which over 200 children attended; and Get Into Rugby was introduced to the school curriculum in Afghanistan.\n\nA LASTING LEGACY\nTogether with Get Into Rugby, the Impact Beyond programme is a central pillar in World Rugby\u2019s mission to grow the game globally, running alongside major World Rugby events, such as and most notably Rugby World Cup, and the Olympic Games to inspire and engage future generations.\nIn the build up to and during RWC 2019, Impact Beyond\u2019s chief aim was to convert the rugby potential within Japan and Asia.\u00a0World Rugby\u2019s Impact Beyond report\u00a0reveals that, in Japan alone, more than 769,000 schoolchildren have been introduced to tag rugby in over 6,000 elementary schools thanks to the work of the programme.\nThe programme\u2019s influence has not only been felt in Japan \u2013 in total 22 Asian rugby unions were involved in Impact Beyond in the build up to RWC 2019. As many as 237,000 players in Pakistan, 180,000 in China, 106,000 in India, as well as many, many others in Bangladesh, the Philippines, Malaysia, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Indonesia, are experiencing rugby for the first time. In further progress still, 43.1 per cent of Asia\u2019s new rugby participants are girls and women.\nImpact Beyond initiatives such as the 19-country stop RWC 2019 Trophy Tour, an exchange project bringing young players from across Asia to experience the thrill of RWC 2019 firsthand, and RWC 2019 partners, such as Land Rover, delivering youth participation days alongside legends like Jonny Wilkinson and Bryan Habana, have all played a role in driving such encouraging growth.\nRugby is a sport which prides itself on character-building values, and, as part of the Impact Beyond 2019 programme, more than \u00a32 million was pledged in a fantastic show of solidarity from the global rugby family to support ChildFund Pass It Back, the principal RWC 2019 charity partner. Funds raised are transforming the lives of more than 25,000 vulnerable children in disadvantaged communities across Asia through an integrated life skills and rugby curriculum.\nBoth Impact Beyond and Get Into Rugby have and will continue to play a crucial role in growing rugby globally and broadening the game\u2019s diversity across gender, ethnicity, age, and social backgrounds. With the Olympic Games in Tokyo on the horizon, the opportunity to further increase awareness and excitement for rugby in Japan and around the world has never been greater.\nRead the full World Rugby Year in Review 2019 here >>\nThe post Over two million new rugby participants in Asia shows impact beyond Rugby World Cup 2019 appeared first on Asia Rugby.", "date_published": "2020-09-09T19:03:05+08:00", "date_modified": "2020-09-09T22:03:42+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Asia Rugby", "url": "https://www.asiarugby.com/author/k-haroon/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ea791d807df550e52d2e6508886912b7?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "Asia Rugby", "url": "https://www.asiarugby.com/author/k-haroon/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ea791d807df550e52d2e6508886912b7?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.asiarugby.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/1-e1585020990127.jpg", "tags": [ "Featured", "Get Into Rugby", "Impact Beyond", "World Rugby" ] }, { "id": "https://www.asiarugby.com/?p=7398", "url": "https://www.asiarugby.com/2020/09/04/world-rugby-launches-search-for-global-rugby-fan-panel/", "title": "World Rugby launches search for global rugby fan panel", "content_html": "
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  • World Rugby launches global rugby fan survey
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  • Selected\u00a0 volunteers to be invited onto the official global rugby fan panel
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  • 12 million socially active fans across World Rugby\u2019s digital channels
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  • Nielsen\u2019s global Sports DNA fan study finds global rugby fanbase stands at 405 million posts Rugby World Cup 2019
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Today World Rugby has launched its search for a new global rugby fan panel to be part of the future shaping of the governing body\u2019s award-winning broadcast, content production and social media rugby offering.

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Related News:\u00a0Rugby sevens boosted by preparation investment ahead of Olympic Games

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The recruitment drive opens today until 9 October, with rugby fans worldwide encouraged to make their voices heard by participating in a fan survey after which super-fans will be identified and invited to form the global rugby fan panel.

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The survey focuses on how global rugby fans consume rugby coverage and delve into what broadcast innovations, content and stats would enhance their viewing experience.

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Click here to enter to be part of global fan survey >>

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World Rugby is committed to delivering best-in-class viewer experience across broadcast, content and social media for rugby fans worldwide, across all its men\u2019s and women\u2019s tournament properties.

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As identified by Nielsen\u2019s latest global Sports DNA fan study, the number of rugby fans \u2013 those either interested or very interested in the sport \u2013 grew by 61 million from 344 million in May 2018 to 405 million in November 2019 following the Rugby World Cup in Japan. The number of female fans continues to grow at more than six times the rate of male fans globally.

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\"Rugby

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World Rugby\u2019s flagship men\u2019s event, Rugby World Cup 2019 attracted record audiences and was the most watched rugby event ever with more than 857 million tuning in around the world, with its in-house broadcast coverage awarded \u2018Outstanding Production Achievement\u2019 at the SVG Europe TV Awards this year.

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In addition, the flagship women\u2019s event, Rugby World Cup 2017 extended the reach of the women\u2019s game around the world, clocking up a total of 45 million video views, a total reach of more than 70 million through the five match days and more than 750,000 fans from 230 countries visiting the official website.

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World Rugby has also recorded ground breaking figures across its sevens properties with Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018 in San Francisco attracting a record attendance for a rugby event in the USA of more than 100,000 fans as well as a huge domestic broadcast audience of more than nine million viewers.

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Marissa Pace, World Rugby Chief Marketing Officer today said: \u201cWe are committed to giving rugby audiences the best experience possible \u2013 in whatever ways they choose to consume coverage of our sport.

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We have been working on the fan panel concept for several months and are excited to be launching our survey and global fan panel. As we look to continue the tremendous audience growth following the Rugby World Cup, there is no better way than consulting fans across the globe to help us understand what will make our content even better and how to attract new audiences.

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It\u2019s important they have a voice and are part of the journey as we look to keep innovating and develop new concepts across our in-house broadcast, content production, digital and social media platforms.

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In 2018, World Rugby experienced record engagement from the global rugby family with 10,500 match officials, players, coaches and fans providing feedback, which, alongside detailed game analysis provided the specialist Law Review Group a 360-view on how law trials were being received at all levels of the game.

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This year\u2019s survey and fan panel will look to make the same innovations in the audience experience and engagement domains across all World Rugby channels.

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The post World Rugby launches search for global rugby fan panel appeared first on Asia Rugby.

\n", "content_text": "World Rugby launches global rugby fan survey\nSelected\u00a0 volunteers to be invited onto the official global rugby fan panel\n12 million socially active fans across World Rugby\u2019s digital channels\nNielsen\u2019s global Sports DNA fan study finds global rugby fanbase stands at 405 million posts Rugby World Cup 2019\n\nToday World Rugby has launched its search for a new global rugby fan panel to be part of the future shaping of the governing body\u2019s award-winning broadcast, content production and social media rugby offering.\nRelated News:\u00a0Rugby sevens boosted by preparation investment ahead of Olympic Games\nThe recruitment drive opens today until 9 October, with rugby fans worldwide encouraged to make their voices heard by participating in a fan survey after which super-fans will be identified and invited to form the global rugby fan panel.\nThe survey focuses on how global rugby fans consume rugby coverage and delve into what broadcast innovations, content and stats would enhance their viewing experience.\nClick here to enter to be part of global fan survey >>\nWorld Rugby is committed to delivering best-in-class viewer experience across broadcast, content and social media for rugby fans worldwide, across all its men\u2019s and women\u2019s tournament properties.\nAs identified by Nielsen\u2019s latest global Sports DNA fan study, the number of rugby fans \u2013 those either interested or very interested in the sport \u2013 grew by 61 million from 344 million in May 2018 to 405 million in November 2019 following the Rugby World Cup in Japan. The number of female fans continues to grow at more than six times the rate of male fans globally.\n\nWorld Rugby\u2019s flagship men\u2019s event, Rugby World Cup 2019 attracted record audiences and was the most watched rugby event ever with more than 857 million tuning in around the world, with its in-house broadcast coverage awarded \u2018Outstanding Production Achievement\u2019 at the SVG Europe TV Awards this year.\nIn addition, the flagship women\u2019s event, Rugby World Cup 2017 extended the reach of the women\u2019s game around the world, clocking up a total of 45 million video views, a total reach of more than 70 million through the five match days and more than 750,000 fans from 230 countries visiting the official website.\nWorld Rugby has also recorded ground breaking figures across its sevens properties with Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018 in San Francisco attracting a record attendance for a rugby event in the USA of more than 100,000 fans as well as a huge domestic broadcast audience of more than nine million viewers.\nMarissa Pace, World Rugby Chief Marketing Officer today said: \u201cWe are committed to giving rugby audiences the best experience possible \u2013 in whatever ways they choose to consume coverage of our sport.\nWe have been working on the fan panel concept for several months and are excited to be launching our survey and global fan panel. As we look to continue the tremendous audience growth following the Rugby World Cup, there is no better way than consulting fans across the globe to help us understand what will make our content even better and how to attract new audiences.\nIt\u2019s important they have a voice and are part of the journey as we look to keep innovating and develop new concepts across our in-house broadcast, content production, digital and social media platforms.\nIn 2018, World Rugby experienced record engagement from the global rugby family with 10,500 match officials, players, coaches and fans providing feedback, which, alongside detailed game analysis provided the specialist Law Review Group a 360-view on how law trials were being received at all levels of the game.\nThis year\u2019s survey and fan panel will look to make the same innovations in the audience experience and engagement domains across all World Rugby channels.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe post World Rugby launches search for global rugby fan panel appeared first on Asia Rugby.", "date_published": "2020-09-04T00:47:17+08:00", "date_modified": "2020-09-04T01:45:56+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Asia Rugby", "url": "https://www.asiarugby.com/author/k-haroon/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ea791d807df550e52d2e6508886912b7?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "Asia Rugby", "url": "https://www.asiarugby.com/author/k-haroon/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ea791d807df550e52d2e6508886912b7?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.asiarugby.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Head-fans.jpg", "tags": [ "Featured", "World Rugby" ] }, { "id": "https://www.asiarugby.com/?p=7367", "url": "https://www.asiarugby.com/2020/08/14/rugby-world-cup-host-selection-process/", "title": "Rugby World Cup host selection process (Men & Women)", "content_html": "

Rugby World Cup host selection process, In a ground-breaking move, World Rugby will award hosting rights to its next two men\u2019s and women\u2019s Rugby World Cups within the same process.

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In a ground-breaking move, World Rugby will award hosting rights to its next two men\u2019s and women\u2019s Rugby World Cups within the same process.

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The international federation has today announced details of the timeline and phases that will determine the hosts of the 2025 and 2029 women\u2019s events and the 2027 and 2031 men\u2019s events.

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For the first time, the sport will have a 10 year strategic hosting roadmap maximising certainty for member unions, commercial partners, broadcasters and fans, providing the opportunity to develop an integrated legacy that delivers meaningful and sustainable strategic participation and fan growth.

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The announcement comes after it was confirmed that Japan 2019 was the most economically-impactful Rugby World Cup ever, generating \u00a34.3 billion in economic activity and delivering record broadcast and fan-engagement outcomes, placing Japan firmly on the major event hosting map.

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Related News:\u00a0Women’s World Cup Qualifiers

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It also underscores World Rugby\u2019s objective that its showcase men\u2019s and women\u2019s properties are a low-investment, high return-on-investment proposition for nations in the modern context of cost-effectiveness, meaningful legacy and sustainability hosting imperatives.

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Recognising the impact of COVID-19 a more compact timetable will operate than previous processes, while collaboration and partnership to develop bespoke bids that optimise strategic objectives for host nations and the global game will be at the heart of the three-phase model which will launch in February 2021 and culminate with the selection of the four hosts at World Rugby\u2019s annual meeting of Council in May 2022 as follows:

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The long-term strategic approach will maximise knowledge transfer, preparation time and commercial opportunities for the hosts and World Rugby, while delivering sporting and financial certainty for national unions. Importantly, the process also supports the key objectives of the 2017-25 Women in Rugby Plan, designed to accelerate the global development of women’s rugby.

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Related News: Arigato Japan – you have made the World Cup special \u3042\u308a\u304c\u3068\u3046\u3054\u3056\u3044\u307e\u3057\u305f

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To assist unions with the process, World Rugby is developing a comprehensive report on the impact of hosting the showcase events, which will provide guidance on how to maximise participation, social, sustainability, commercial, economic, trade and diplomacy opportunities as well as the significant positive exposure opportunity delivered by rugby’s major events.

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The extensive host selection process will comprise aligned criteria, milestones and evaluation with further details being announced in due course.

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The announcement follows the World Rugby Council\u2019s approval in October 2019 of joint nation bids and awarding two tournaments at the same time to maximise strategic opportunities within a growing sport. It also recognises the key outcomes from the RWC 2023 host selection review process\u00a0announced in May 2018.

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World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: \u201cThe global COVID-19 pandemic, while incredibly challenging, has provided the opportunity to press the reset button and examine how we can do things differently and better.

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\u201cThis ground-breaking dual awarding process reflects our vision to further align the selection process of our men\u2019s and women\u2019s Rugby World Cups, providing longer-term certainty in terms of preparation and partnership with World Rugby for future hosts, maximising legacy, sustainability and engagement outcomes.

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\u201cThis is also a process that recognises the need to adapt following the COVID-19 pandemic and provide a stronger partnership with interested nations in developing their hosting models. This process, combined with the announcement that Japan 2019 delivered a record \u00a34.3 billion total economic impact for the host nation, will help maximise hosting interest for our top men’s and women’s 15s tournaments.\u201d

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The last men’s Rugby World Cup in 2019 attracting the biggest-ever domestic broadcast audience for a rugby match of more than 54 million and a participation boost of over 750,000, while a recent Nielsen study confirmed it delivered a significant\u00a0boost to national pride.

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Above all, it was a special event that united a nation through rugby, friendship and celebration,\u00a0delivering record social, economic and sporting benefits. Rugby World Cup 2023 is being hosted by France and preparations are on track for a spectacular event for teams and fans.

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The last women’s Rugby World Cup in Ireland in 2017 also smashed previous\u00a0attendance, broadcast and social media engagement records. The 2021 edition in New Zealand promises to raise the bar.

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The post Rugby World Cup host selection process (Men & Women) appeared first on Asia Rugby.

\n", "content_text": "Rugby World Cup host selection process, In a ground-breaking move, World Rugby will award hosting rights to its next two men\u2019s and women\u2019s Rugby World Cups within the same process.\n\nFor the first time two men\u2019s and women\u2019s RWCs will be awarded at the same time\nIntegrated process enables a strategic roadmap for hosting of showcase 15s events\nCollaborative process aims to identify and develop partnerships that will optimise host nation and World Rugby delivery, financial and legacy objectives\nJoint nation bids will be permitted, as announced in October 2019\nApproach supports key objectives of World Rugby’s Women in Rugby Plan\nAnnouncement follows record economic impact outcomes of \u00a34.3 billion from RWC 2019\nRevised timetable announced in response to global COVID-19 pandemic\nStrong hosting interest anticipated\n\nIn a ground-breaking move, World Rugby will award hosting rights to its next two men\u2019s and women\u2019s Rugby World Cups within the same process.\nThe international federation has today announced details of the timeline and phases that will determine the hosts of the 2025 and 2029 women\u2019s events and the 2027 and 2031 men\u2019s events.\n\n\nFor the first time, the sport will have a 10 year strategic hosting roadmap maximising certainty for member unions, commercial partners, broadcasters and fans, providing the opportunity to develop an integrated legacy that delivers meaningful and sustainable strategic participation and fan growth.\nThe announcement comes after it was confirmed that Japan 2019 was the most economically-impactful Rugby World Cup ever, generating \u00a34.3 billion in economic activity and delivering record broadcast and fan-engagement outcomes, placing Japan firmly on the major event hosting map.\nRelated News:\u00a0Women’s World Cup Qualifiers\nIt also underscores World Rugby\u2019s objective that its showcase men\u2019s and women\u2019s properties are a low-investment, high return-on-investment proposition for nations in the modern context of cost-effectiveness, meaningful legacy and sustainability hosting imperatives.\n\nRecognising the impact of COVID-19 a more compact timetable will operate than previous processes, while collaboration and partnership to develop bespoke bids that optimise strategic objectives for host nations and the global game will be at the heart of the three-phase model which will launch in February 2021 and culminate with the selection of the four hosts at World Rugby\u2019s annual meeting of Council in May 2022 as follows:\n\nFebruary 2021 \u2013 Dialogue Phase:\u00a0An opportunity for open communication between World Rugby and unions, governments and other key stakeholders. This will allow potential hosts to understand the business and delivery model, how they will partner with World Rugby and ultimately build a compelling proposal.\nMay 2021 \u2013 Candidate Phase:\u00a0The formal process begins. Candidates will construct their proposals with World Rugby providing ongoing clarification and support to ensure the best-possible model. The phase culminates with candidates submitting Candidate files, hosting agreements and guarantees in January 2022.\nFebruary 2022 \u2013 Evaluation Phase:\u00a0Bids will be evaluated by relevant industry experts against the key criteria agreed by World Rugby Council. The evaluation report will be provided to Council for a vote in May 2022.\n\nThe long-term strategic approach will maximise knowledge transfer, preparation time and commercial opportunities for the hosts and World Rugby, while delivering sporting and financial certainty for national unions. Importantly, the process also supports the key objectives of the 2017-25 Women in Rugby Plan, designed to accelerate the global development of women’s rugby.\nRelated News: Arigato Japan – you have made the World Cup special \u3042\u308a\u304c\u3068\u3046\u3054\u3056\u3044\u307e\u3057\u305f\nTo assist unions with the process, World Rugby is developing a comprehensive report on the impact of hosting the showcase events, which will provide guidance on how to maximise participation, social, sustainability, commercial, economic, trade and diplomacy opportunities as well as the significant positive exposure opportunity delivered by rugby’s major events.\n\nhttps://www.asiarugby.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/RWCselectionprocess-BrettGosper.mp4\nThe extensive host selection process will comprise aligned criteria, milestones and evaluation with further details being announced in due course.\nThe announcement follows the World Rugby Council\u2019s approval in October 2019 of joint nation bids and awarding two tournaments at the same time to maximise strategic opportunities within a growing sport. It also recognises the key outcomes from the RWC 2023 host selection review process\u00a0announced in May 2018.\nWorld Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: \u201cThe global COVID-19 pandemic, while incredibly challenging, has provided the opportunity to press the reset button and examine how we can do things differently and better.\n\u201cThis ground-breaking dual awarding process reflects our vision to further align the selection process of our men\u2019s and women\u2019s Rugby World Cups, providing longer-term certainty in terms of preparation and partnership with World Rugby for future hosts, maximising legacy, sustainability and engagement outcomes.\n\u201cThis is also a process that recognises the need to adapt following the COVID-19 pandemic and provide a stronger partnership with interested nations in developing their hosting models. This process, combined with the announcement that Japan 2019 delivered a record \u00a34.3 billion total economic impact for the host nation, will help maximise hosting interest for our top men’s and women’s 15s tournaments.\u201d\nThe last men’s Rugby World Cup in 2019 attracting the biggest-ever domestic broadcast audience for a rugby match of more than 54 million and a participation boost of over 750,000, while a recent Nielsen study confirmed it delivered a significant\u00a0boost to national pride.\nAbove all, it was a special event that united a nation through rugby, friendship and celebration,\u00a0delivering record social, economic and sporting benefits. Rugby World Cup 2023 is being hosted by France and preparations are on track for a spectacular event for teams and fans.\nThe last women’s Rugby World Cup in Ireland in 2017 also smashed previous\u00a0attendance, broadcast and social media engagement records. The 2021 edition in New Zealand promises to raise the bar.\nThe post Rugby World Cup host selection process (Men & Women) appeared first on Asia Rugby.", "date_published": "2020-08-14T03:51:19+08:00", "date_modified": "2020-08-14T03:51:19+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Asia Rugby", "url": "https://www.asiarugby.com/author/k-haroon/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ea791d807df550e52d2e6508886912b7?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "Asia Rugby", "url": "https://www.asiarugby.com/author/k-haroon/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ea791d807df550e52d2e6508886912b7?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.asiarugby.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/RWC-Host.jpg", "tags": [ "Rugby World Cup", "Featured", "Rugby World Cup 2021", "Rugby World Cup 2019", "World Rugby" ], "attachments": [ { "url": "https://www.asiarugby.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/RWCselectionprocess-BrettGosper.mp4", "mime_type": "video/mp4", "size_in_bytes": 20932254 } ] } ] }